The Austrian
I declare myself an Austrian and a European
The story behind this turtle
The European pond turtle is the only species that is native to Austria. It has a huge range in Eurasia and North Africa. It is the only representative of the New World Pond Turtles (Emydidae) which occurs in the Old World. It was already traded and settled by monks as a lenten food in the Middle Ages. Whether and to what extent autochthonous Emys still occur in Styria (home base of Turtle Island, South-Eastern Austria) today is considered one of the unsolved mysteries among local herpetologists.
Due to its large distribution area on three continents, it is very adaptable and strategic. The different subspecies and populations but also specimens out of the same population can look unexpectedly different. Emys are very shy and like to hide.
Facts & Figures
- Loves swamps
- European pond turtle
- Near Threatened
The Austrian
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