Balkan Terrapin
Mauremys rivulata (Valenciennes, 1833)
Order Testudinata
Family Geoemydidae
Conservation status: in Bulgaria: Vulnareable VU [B1, C]; BDA-II, III; International: IUCN-LC, BeC-II, HD-II, IV.
General distribution. The southern parts of the Balkan peninsula: Montenegro, Albania, Macedonia, Greece (including many of the Aegean and the Ionian Islands), Southern Bulgaria, European Turkey, Western and Southern Asia Minor, Cyprus, the eastern coast of the Mediterranean.
Distribution and abundance in Bulgaria. Sporadically in the Petrich-Sandanski valley, [1, 2, 3], the Eastern Rhodopes [3, 4, 5], the southern parts of the valleys of the rivers Maritsa and Tundzha [1, 3, 6], the regions of Haskovo, Sakar [7, 8], Sredets [9] and the parts near the mouths of the rivers flowing into the Black Sea to the south of the river Ropotamo [1, 2, 3]. In the habitats known until 1985, the total numbers of the species in the country is estimated at 600 – 1 000 individuals, of which 252 – 335 in the Petrich-Sandanski valley, 93 – 144 in the Svilengrad region, 158 – 217 in the Ivaylovgrad region, 10 – 15 in Sakar, 100 – 300 in the Black Sea rivers [3]. In the habitats found after 1985 there are no studies of the numbers.
Habitats. Marshes/swamps (including flooded areas of warm springs), rivers, river mouths and seaside marshes (including semi-salty ones), large pools in rocky ravines, artificial pits, microdams, fisheries, canals, etc. All habitats in Bulgaria are at altitudes of under 200 m.
Biology. It feeds on invertebrates, frogs and their larvae, fish – most often dead; it also takes vegetable food. It lays 3 – 10 slightly elongated eggs with a hard calcareous shell that it buries on the ground. Hatching takes place after 90 – 105 days. It winters under the water.
Similar species. The European pond terrapin (Emys orbicularis), with which it is found in all habitats. The Balkan terrapin is more flattened, it has well-marked light, longitudinal stripes on the neck, the legs and the tail and has no small yellowish spots and lines on the back shield.
Negative factors. The drying up of the water basins inhabited, their pollution with crude oil products, etc. Killing by anglers, drowning in fishing nets, gathering by collectors. Recently also settling of the water basins with the American species red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta) that is offered for sale in zooshops and is often released in the nature.
Conservation measures. Included in the Bulgarian Red Data Book, 1985, in the category endangered. Some of the populations along the Black Sea coast inhabit protected territories. Portrayed on a poster about protected species of reptiles (1998). Many of the habitats fall within the Natura 2000 network of protected territories.
Conservation measures needed. Popularization of the nature preservation status of the species, especially among fishermen from the villages and towns around the habitats; protecting the water basins against drying up and pollution; taking into account the presence of the species when creating protected territories.
References. 1. Buresh & Zonkov, 1933; 2. Beshkov, 1985; 3. Beshkov, 1987; 4. Petrov, Stoev, Beshkov, 2001; 5. Petrov, 2004; 6. Stoev, 2000; 7. Chlebicki, 1985; 8. Peshev & Mitev, 1987; 9. Beshkov & Nanev, 2002.
Author: Andrej Stojanov
