title: The captive husbandry and reproduction of the pink-eared turtle (Emydura victoriae) at Perth Zoo.
abstract: In 1997, Perth Zoo acquired six pink-eared turtles (Emydura victoriae) from the wild for display in the reptile facility. There is very little documented information on pink-eared turtles in captivity. This article looks at the reproductive biology, ecology, behavior, diet, and captive husbandry of the species. Eight clutches of eggs were documented over a 2-year period with an average clutch size of 10 eggs. Egg size was recorded with three clutches incubated to hatching. Ten hatchlings were maintained for a growth and development study. Measurements of weight, carapace length, width, height, and plastron length were recorded weekly for about 12 months, and then monthly for approximately 2 years. The data were analyzed and showed positive growth curves in all animals. Sexual dimorphism was observed after 20 weeks and sexual maturity in males observed after 2 years.
authors.affiliation: Native Species Breeding Programs, Perth Zoo, South Perth, Western Australia, Australia. glen.gaikhorst@perthzoo.wa.gov.au
authors.forename: G S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Gaikhorst
authors.forename: B R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Clarke
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: McPharlin
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Larkin
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McLaughlin
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mayes
mesh_terms: D000822:Animal Husbandry / Q000379:methods*; D000818:Animals; D000836:Animals, Zoo; D052284:Clutch Size; D004032:Diet / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D010058:Oviposition; D012098:Reproduction / Q000502:physiology; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D014426:Turtles / Q000502:physiology*; D014904:Western Australia