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Malayan
Box Turtle
(Cuora amboinensis spp.)
by Stuart Dodsworth
Distribution
Malayan Box Turtles are found in tropical rainforests throughout
the lowlands of Southeast Asia. There are currently four sub-species
recognized and these are Amboina Box Turtle or South East Asia
Box Turtle (Cuora amboinensis amboinensis), Cuora amboinensis
lineata, Cuora amboinensis cuora and Domed Malayan Box Turtle
(Cuora amboinensis kamarona). The wild population is currently
declining due to the over exploitation for the International trade.
Size
This species of turtle reaches around 20cm (8 inches) in size.
It matures at around 4 to 5 years of age.
Diet
The Malayan Box Turtle finds the majority of its food in water.
It is mainly vegetarian consuming fruits, aquatic plants, fruits
and mushrooms, as well as insects, worms and fish. They should
be fed as varied a diet as possible. It is best to feed them two
to three times weekly. It is usually best to feed your turtles
in a separate feeding bowl with water, as this will reduce the
amount of faeces/food left in their enclosure. Never feed them
dog food.
Requirements
Heat Source: - This can be a reflector (spot) light in green,
blue or red. Also ceramics heaters can also be used. These need
to be thermostatically controlled.
UV Light source - These reptiles require a Reptisun 5.0 UV light.
This should be left on for between 12 and 14 hours daily, positioned
no more than 30cm away from the basking turtle and replaced every
6 months.
Housing: - This should consist of a dark wooden Vivarium with
a glass frontage and adequate ventilation or a Vision Cage. A
Vivarium measuring approximately 120cm by 45cm by 30cm (4 feet
by 18 inches by 12 inches) is fine for an adult pair. These measurements
are only to be used as a guide.
Thermostat: - An essential part of every Vivarium and is required
to control the internal heat inside the Vivarium and to prevent
your pet becoming too hot or too cold.
Wire Mesh Guards: - These should be fitted over all heat sources
used in order to prevent any thermal burns from occurring.
Thermometers: - One should be placed at either end of the Vivarium.
Never go by the temperature shown on the thermostat as this is
often inaccurate.
Hides: - These should always be provided to prevent the animals
from becoming stressed and exposed.
Filtration: - A filter must be fitted to the water, to help keep
it clear from faecal matter. The fluvial filters seem to work
best.
Water
and Humidity
The Malayan Box Turtle is one of the most aquatic of the Box Turtles;
therefore a large water area must be incorporated into the turtle's
enclosure. This must be changed regularly as it is also the water
that the turtle drinks. The land area should be misted once daily
with tepid water.
Temperature
The temperature should be maintained at between 23 and 35C (75F
to 95F). The temperature should never be allowed to drop below
21C (70F).
Longevity
This species of turtle usually lives for around 25 years, although
many live up to 30 years old. One specimen is even recorded living
for 38 years.
Substrate
Bed-a-beast or soil/sand mixes are good substrates for these turtles
as they assist in maintaining a good humidity. Large pieces of
dust free bark mulch (not pine or cedar) can also be used to good
effect. The basking area must be kept dry in order o prevent ventral
shell infections form occurring. If female turtles are kept a
sand/soil mix of at least 30cm must be used in order to facilitate
a nesting area for the female and help to prevent egg retention.
Newspaper/ chip shop paper is also a good substrate is the turtles
cannot ingest it easily. Whatever substrates you use ensure that
it changed regularly to prevent the build up of bacteria.
NB
- Photograph taken by Stuart Dodsworth.
Map taken from http://www.turtlepuddle.org/cuora/map.html
This species is listed on CITES appendix II (since 2000), contact
DEFRA For further information on how this affects you.
Recommended
Reading/Useful Contacts
Stuart
Dodsworth - stuartandlynette@dodsworth2005.wanadoo.co.uk
The International Herpetological Society - www.international-herp-society.co.uk
The British Herpetological Society - www.thebhs.org
Taxonomy Information - http://srs.embl-heidelberg.de:8000/srs5bin/cgi-bin/wgetz?-e+[REPTILIA-Species:'Cuora_SP_amboinensis']
Tortoise Trust - www.tortoisetrust.org
BCG - British Chelonia Group - http://www.britishcheloniagroup.org.uk/
http://www.turtlepuddle.org/cuora/Asian.html
http://nytts.org/asianturtlecrisis.html
http://www.eznc.org/primosite/show.do?ctx=7795,21879&anav=7799
http://www.turtlepuddle.org/cuora/caresheet.html
http://www.cites.org/eng/cop/11/prop/36.pdf
http://www3.ocn.ne.jp/~folderw/sheng/malayan_e.htm
www.reptilekeeper.co.uk
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