the giant california sea cucumber ( parastichopus californicus ) is a sea cucumber that can be found from the gulf of alaska to baja california .

it is found from the low intertidal zone to a depth of 250 m ( 820 ft ) .

they are most abundant in areas with moderate current with cobbles , boulders or bedrock .

giant california sea cucumber

parastichopus californicus ( giant california sea cucumber ) at low tide at sarotoga passage , in pudget sound bay .
dfo science . giant red sea cucumber . web . august 1999 . unknown author .
despite many obstacles , the stock assessment division has put great effort into the research and conservation of the giant red sea cucumber .
maguire , colleen . california sea cucumber vic high marine . web . ( accessed ) november 19 , 2011 .
top left : a giant sea cucumber among red sea urchins . photo by cody gold . bottom left and right : a specimen held up for examination demonstrates why this species , which reaches 50 cm long , has the common name of ' giant sea cucumber . ' photos by elizabeth bailey ( right ) and an es 470 participant .
the giant california sea cucumber is a scavenger that feeds on plankton and other organic matter . they feed by sifting through sediments with their tentacles , or by positioning themselves in a current where they can use their tentacles to catch food flowing by .
giant red sea cucumbers are a pacific species that range from the southern coast of alaska to baja california . they live at depths of up to 250 metres , preferring rocky or sandy bottoms . while fairly sedentary , sea cucumbers undergo seasonal vertical migrations .
sea cucumber has elongated , cylindrical body . depending on the species , sea cucumber can be red , black , blue , green or brown in color .
for other sea cucumber fishery departmental contacts , please consult the shellfish contacts page .
california sea cucumbers often have flatworms living on their underside . these worms don ' t hurt the sea cucumber but the worm benefits by living in a safe place where food is easy to come by .
this slide show of the
pinto
sea cucumber is taken from different angles .
the giant red or californian sea cucumber ( parastichopus californicus ) is the largest of approximately 30 sea cucumber species in british columbia and the only one that is commercially harvested . much of sea cucumber inventory , research , and surveys are worked in collaboration with the kitasoo fisheries program . as well , the sea cucumber program has strong collaborations with the fishing industry associations . the pscha ( pacific sea cucumber harvesters association ) funds a term biologist position for on - going stock assessment projects as well co - sponsor a masters student at sfu who is working on the feasibility of rotational harvest strategies for sea cucumbers .
canada ; mexico ; united states ( alaska , aleutian is . , california , oregon , washington )
the digestive system of the giant california sea cucumber ( parastichopus californicus ) the giant california sea cumber has a primitive digestive system . it has tentacles around its mouth to assist in feeding . food sticks to the tentacles which are then pulled into the mouth one at a time and the food is licked off the tentacles . the tentacles are also used to shovel mud into the sea cumber ' s mouth so that it can extract food from the mud . after the food enters the sea cumber ' s mouth it passes through the esophagus to the stomach pharynx , then through the esophagus to the stomach . in the stomach , digestive enzymes break the food down . the food the moves to the intestine where it is further digested by enzymes and nutrients are absorbed . the waste products are expelled through the sea cumber ' s anus . the anus is not only used to expel waste but also to breathe by ingesting water and absorbing oxygen from it . an unusual use the sea cucumber makes of its internal organs , including its intestines , is that when seriously threatened , it may expel its organs . the organs entangle the predator , enabling the sea cucumber to escape . the organs grow back . the video below shows a giant california sea cucumber expelling it intestines .
behavior : california sea cucumbers are solitary and nocturnal . they feed by positioning themselves in a current and sifting through passing sediment with 20 retractable tentacles .
. bruckner ( 2006 ) reported that harvested sites in california showed densities that were 50–80 % lower than in the non - fished areas . for instance , at an established reserve in northern california , densities averaged 2200ind * ha
herbal extracts + plus . sea cucumber . web . ( accessed ) november 20 , 2011 . unknown author .
for more information on health benefits of our north atlantic sea cucumber , please visit our page on health benefits .
lifespan of sea cucumber depends on the species . most species live between 5 and 10 years in the wild .
sea cucumber are able for self - reproduction ( they can produce offspring without partner ) . however , they prefer to reproduce by mixing with other sea cucumbers .
giant red sea cucumbers have an unusual body configuration that is radially pentamerous - organized in a circle of five sections - and devoid of a head ( or brain ) . they are long and cylindrical , resembling a cucumber , hence their name . underneath their body are several tube feet that create suction and allow them to walk across the ocean floor . giant red sea cucumbers are red to reddish - orange , covered with pale - coloured bumps that look like spines but are actually soft to the touch . they have 20 tentacles on the front end of their body , which they use to feed . giant red sea cucumbers grow to about 60 centimetres and can weigh up to a kilogram , making them the largest sea cucumber on canada ' s west coast . scientists do not know how to calculate sea cucumbers ' age , so their longevity remains unknown .
the giant california sea cucumber may produce one of two different types of eggs . they may lay yolk - filled eggs that hatch directly into the cucumbers ( no larval stage ) . the second type is laying multiple small eggs that would be later fertilized by males in the water ; these hatch into larvae . [ 7 ] spawning occurs from spring through all of summer . they breed externally , the female releasing eggs and the male excreting semen into the water that fertilizes the eggs . [ 8 ] they have consistent sized “spikes” , its scientific name being conical papillae , during the course of their lives . however the younger cucumbers are smaller and lighter in color . the giant california sea cucumber reaches maturity around the age of four years . this is the point in which they develop into different sexes . [ 9 ]
this species is distributed in the pacific coast of north america , from the aleutians islands , alaska to cedros island , baja california ( hamel and mercier 2008 ) . one specimen has been collected from angel de la guarda island , gulf of california , mexico ( solis - marin
little is known of stock abundance and distribution , longevity , growth rates , natural mortality rates and recruitment rates of the sea cucumber .
the california sea cucumber grows up to 50cm long . they are the largest cucumbers in b . c . waters . they range in colours from red in juveniles to brown or mottled brown , with all white individuals occurring rarely . they are covered on the dorsal side with flesh coloured papillae , and on the ventral side by tube feet . a circle of peltate feeding tentacles surround a subterminal mouth , directed ventrally at the anterior end . oxygenated water is forcibly pumped into the sea cucumber ' s respiratory trees in several successive inhalations , and then deoxygenated water is forcefully expelled . eye - witness accounts have noted small fish being expelled with this force of water , perhaps living in symbiosis with the california sea cucumber .
california sea cucumbers are abundant across a wide range and harvested sustainably . their populations started to decline in the 1980s , but harvesting restrictions have allowed this species to recover . they are targeted for their muscles and skin .
habitat and distribution : found in the low intertidal zone , to depths of 800 feet , along the pacific coast from the gulf of alaska to southern california .
diet of sea cucumbers consists of decaying organic matter ( from the sea floor ) and plankton . sea cucumbers play important role in cleansing of the nature by removing remains of dead animals .
justification : this species is widely distributed and abundant across its range . it is commercially harvested from alaska to california in a sustainable manner . it is listed as least concern .
other names : p . californicus / red alaskan sea cucumber storage condition & shelf life : 5 years at 18ᵒc – 25ᵒc harvesting location : british columbia grade : premium
gulf of alaska to cedros island , west of lower california . intertidal to 249m . common on mud , gravel , shell , rock rubble or solid bedrock , from exposed coast to sheltered inlets . greatest densities occur in quieter waters where organic sediments settle on hard surfaces . harvesting of sea cucumber is also done by divers , throughout their range .
( bradbury 1994 ) . data recorded in this state at the time clearly demonstrates the impact of the fishery on the stock of sea cucumbers with a decline of up to 70 % : sea cucumber densities were around 0 . 35ind * m
carefoot , thomas ( 1977 ) , pacific seashores : a guide to intertidal ecology lambert , philip ( 1997 ) , sea cucumbers of b . c . , southeast alaska and puget sound morris , abbott , haderlie ( 1990 ) , intertidal invertebrates of california
large sea cucumber ranging from 25 to 40cm in body length . dorsal and lateral surfaces dark red , brown , or yellow . the body surface bears large , stiff , conical
growth studies are made difficult because of the sea cucumber ' s ability to change shape and size , and by annual fluctuations in body mass due to resorbption of visceral organs .
they are found on the bottom of the floors of seas around the world . they live in very large numbers and are believed to make up the biggest overall population of biomass . both alaska and china have very large numbers of the sea cucumber living in their waters . in the past couple of decades they have substantially increased in numbers in the water around california .
the giant california sea cucumber can grow to a length of 50 cm and a width of 5 cm . it has a soft , cylindrical body , with red - brown to yellowish leathery skin . it has an endoskeleton just below the skin . the mouth and anus are on opposite ends of the body . the mouth is surrounded by twenty retractable tentacles that are used to bring food in . five rows of tube feet extend from the mouth to the anus . mobility is limited , though individuals can move up to 4 m per day while feeding . they use their tube feet located on the underside of their body .
sea cucumbers can be often seen in large colonies . 1000 sea cucumbers per one square meter can be found along the coasts of new zealand .
these sea cucumbers have separate sexes , and eggs are fertilized externally . spawning usually takes place in august , and each female can produce thousands of eggs . after fertilization , a larva is formed which metamorphoses into a sea cucumber after a few weeks .
brothers , c . j . , j . r . nestler , and r . w . lee , 2011 . visceral regeneration by the uptake of dissolved organic material in the sea cucumber
sea cucumbers belong to the group of animals called echinoderms . their closest relatives are starfish and sea urchins . there are over 1250 species of sea cucumbers that can be found in oceans throughout the world . sea cucumbers usually live on the sea floor . only few species live near the surface of the water . these animals are used as delicacy and as a part of folk medicine in asia . despite increased exploitation of sea cucumbers , they are still numerous in the wild . sea cucumbers are not on the list of endangered species .
( 2000 ) investigated the depth distribution of this species in the vicinity of sitka sound , alaska and found that sea cucumber densities were greatest in shallower waters with ca . 70 percent of the sea cucumbers observed above 15m . average densities were 0 . 03ind * m
there is much to learn about the sea cucumber and the stock assessment division has taken a conservative approach to management of this species in order to avoid over - exploitation and other harmful effects .
at scuba diving depths . the deepest sea cucumber was observed at 87m . in southeast alaska , zhou and shirley ( 1996 ) used a submersible to measure densities which varied from 0 to 267ind * ha
currently , the sea cucumber fishery is in phase 1 of the phased approach for new and developing fisheries . this phase includes performing surveys to obtain essential information that was not available in the phase 0 analysis .
the pacific region sea cucumber integrated fisheries management plan encompasses the period of october 1 to september 30 of the following year , and provides a focus on the commercial fishery scheduled for approximately 4 weeks in october .
jaeckle , william b . and richard r . strathmann , 2012 . the anus as a second mouth : anal suspension feeding by an oral deposit - feeding sea cucumber . invertebrate biology 132 : pp 62 - 68
in oregon , the fishery for this species is conducted by divers . harvest by trawl required an experimental gear permit until 2003 . at present a permit is no longer required ( mccrae 1994 ) . in california , both this species and
size of sea cucumber depends on the species . smallest species can reach 0 . 12 inches , while largest species can reach 3 . 3 feet in length . most species are usually 3 . 9 to 12 inches long .
sea cucumbers have been substantial within the medical field . they have / are being used as treatment for arthritis and connective tissue disorders , muscular - skeletal diseases ( examples : rheumatoid arthritis , osteoarthritis , and ankylosing spondylitis ) , fatigue , urinary problems ( specifically for kidneys ) , impotence , cleansing the blood , and relieve to constipation . [ 15 ] sea cucumbers are rich in protein , vitamins a , c , b - 1 , b - 2 , b - 3 , iron , calcium , magnesium , and zinc . they also contain mucopolysaccharides ( complex polysaccharides containing an amino group ; occurs chiefly as components of connective tissue ) , saponins ( any of the class of steroid and terpenoid glycosides typified by this , examples of which are used in detergents and foam fire extinguishers ) and fatty acid . like tofu , sea cucumbers are flavorless and is added in many dishes to add these nutrients . [ 16 ] sea cucumbers are used in creams , oil , makeup [ 17 ] , as well as cosmetic procedures such as face lifts or lip injections . [ 18 ] and like all essence of life , the giant california sea cucumber helps us in the discovery of god ' s design .
the commercial sea cucumber fishery in the usa began in the state of washington and focused on this single species . between 1971 and 1987 , sea cucumbers were harvested by divers without any seasonal or spatial restrictions . in 1987 , when depletion of sea cucumber populations became noticeable , the state established harvest districts and a restricted harvest season ( adfg 1990 ) . today , most of the harvesting is done by hand using scuba or hookah , with only limited trawl collections under experimental fishery permits . collection by divers for personal use / consumption is subject to a daily limit of ten specimens ( bruckner 2005 ) .
in addition to the efas , the sea cucumber research program in bc includes open surveys which are conducted in areas of the coast that are open to fishing . open surveys are used to estimate sea cucumber densities for use in quota calculations , instead of using baseline estimates . prior to 2004 , eight open surveys have been conducted ( two of which were re - surveys ) , covering over 30 % of the coastline open to fishing . this large dataset was used to calculate a new baseline density estimate .
are harvested . a special permit was required for sea cucumber harvest in 1992–1993 . separate permits for each gear type and a limit on the total number of permit were implemented in 1997 . there are no restrictions on catch ( rogers - bennett and ono 2001 , schroeter
sea cucumbers ( phylum echinodermata , class holothuroidea ) influence ocean communities by affecting physical and chemical characteristics of water and sediment through their deposit feeding and excretion activities . several tropical species of sea cucumbers exhibit daily cycles of behavior and physiological processes , though research on this phenomena in temperate waters is limited . seasonal cycles of behavior and physiological processes have also been observed to occur among temperate and tropical species . daily and seasonal movement rates , metabolism , and nutrient excretion were measured for the temperate sea cucumber
mature sea cucumber females will deposit eggs as they move around in the water . males will be attracted to them through the hormone scents and deposit sperm on those eggs . the eggs can be very vulnerable to predators so only a fraction of them will be able to emerge .
due to a lack of biological data upon which to base management decisions , in 1997 , the sea cucumber fishery was classified as a
developing and data - limited fishery
and has since been managed under a precautionary regime known as the phased approach for new and developing fisheries .
sea cucumbers are echinoderms—like starfish and sea urchins . there are some 1 , 250 known species , and many of these animals are indeed shaped like soft - bodied cucumbers . all sea cucumbers are ocean dwellers , though some inhabit the shallows and others live in the deep ocean . they live on or near the ocean floor—sometimes partially buried beneath it .
like all echinoderms , they have a water - vascular system and a 5 - part body design . unique to the sea cucumbers , they have a respiratory system where cucumbers gain oxygen from pumping water in and out of the anus . also , around the anus there are “rump teeth” which are used in protection from parasitic fish seeking shelter within the sea cucumber’s body by constantly contracting and releasing it ' s anus through its gas exchange [ 3 ] . the mouth and anus are on opposite ends . it reaches a maximum of 50cm ( about 19 . 7 inches ) and has an average wet weight of 225 - 250 grams ( about 8 - 8 . 8 ounces ) with the maximum weight being 500 grams ( about 17 . 6 ounces ) . in addition when threatened the sea cucumber spits it ' s internal substances , such as non - essential organs out of its anus and the substances stick to the potential predator . these internal substances are soon regenerated within the sea cucumber ' s body . [ 4 ] .
sea cucumbers breathe via their anus . branched network of hollow tubules absorb oxygen from the water that circulates through the anus .
this sea cucumber has an annual reproductive cycle and spawning occurs between june and august , and seems to be correlated with bright sunshine days and high phytoplankton productivity ( hamel and mercier 2008 ) . recruitment is sporadic in this species and adults have a relatively high natural mortality ( hamel and mercier 2008 ) .
they are larvae for several months before the body parts of the sea cucumber start to emerge . the temperatures of the water will affect that time frame . typically the warmer the water is the faster they will develop through those stages . the average lifespan in the wild is from 5 to 10 years .
sea cucumbers can breed sexually or asexually . sexual reproduction is more typical , but the process is not very intimate . the animals release both eggs and sperm into the water and fertilization occurs when they meet . there must be many individuals in a sea cucumber population for this reproductive method to be successful . indeed , many parts of the deep ocean host large herds of these ancient animals , grazing on the microscopic bounty of marine waters .
waikïkï aquarium . marine life profiles : sea cucumbers . web . ( accessed ) 10 / 31 / 2011 . unknown author .
population status , fisheries and trade of sea cucumbers in temperate areas of the northern hemisphere . population status , fisheries and trade of sea cucumbers in temperate areas of the northern hemisphere . web . ( accessed ) 10 / 31 / 2011 . unknown author .
sea cucumbers have five rows of paired tentacles on the surface of the body . they are used for locomotion and for feeding .
sea cucumbers have body walls made of catch collagen ( a tissue controlled by neurological pulses ) . with this the sea cucumber can loosen and tighten itself without damaging any of its tissue . so , when threatened , they can liquefy themselves , giving them the ability to squeeze into tight holes or small spaces . also to secure their safety when they are hiding , they can join up all their collagen and become a solid being . [ 6 ]
2001 ) . in california , between 1983 and 1990 annual landings fluctuated between about 20 , 000 and 60 , 000kg . in 1991 , over 261 , 871kg were harvested . combined trawl and dive harvest peaked in 1996 at 380 , 703kg with an ex - vessel value of usd 582 , 370 ( rogers - bennett and ono 2001 ) .
this living creature is a scavenger and it will take any food sources that it can find . they tend to consume a variety of debris that is found at the very bottom of the ocean floor . some species also consume anglerfish . decaying matter and plankton though make up the majority of the diet for the sea cucumber .
sea cucumbers do not have brain . their nervous system consists of a ring and several nerves . their senses are also poorly developed .
sea cucumbers are able to modulate the shape of their body when needed . they can pass through tight spaces thanks to this feature .
sea cucumbers have soft bodies even though they have some sort of skeleton below the surface of the body . skeleton usually consists of plates and spines . these structures can be exposed and used against predators ( sea cucumbers are not tasty meal when their bodies suddenly harden ) .
the sea cucumber is a type of marine life form . they are a type of echinoderm so they have an endoskeleton . they also have various forms of connective tissues that comprise them . there are many species found and experts believed that they may not have even identified all of them yet . more than 1 , 250 species have been classified so far .
, taking into account the large size classes of sea cucumbers exclusively ( rogers - bennett and ono 2001 , bruckner 2006 ) . until 1996 , an average of 75 percent of the annual catch came from the trawl fishery in southern california . between 1997 and 1999 , the dive fishery accounted for 80 percent of the take . recent surveys showed a 50–60 percent decline in abundance between 1994 and 1998 , but no correlation was noted between decline in abundance and data on landings . the only increase in abundance ( 39 percent ) was noted at two no - take reserves ( rogers - bennett and ono 2001 ; schroeter
sometimes they will allow part of their body to be pulled off in order to escape danger . then the sea cucumber will lie low for a few weeks in order to give that part of the body time to regenerate . this is a process that can continue during the span of their life in order for them to be able to survive . missing body parts for any living creature could hinder their ability to thrive .
current sea cucumber management practices in alaska have provided sustainable harvests and consistent quality . divers rotate their effort between 16 harvest areas , some of which are divided into more than 20 sub–areas in an effort to maintain sustainability throughout the fishing grounds . in southeast alaska , each fishing area is run on a three year rotation and harvested at a rate of 6 percent a year ( b . meredith pers . comm . ) . in any given area that is open for harvest , approximately 18 % of the surveyed biomass is removed after which the area will remain closed for the next two years . the alaskan fishery also closes down during the spawning season ( ruccio and jackson 2002 ) . finally , harvest divers can only obtain permits for sea urchins or for sea cucumbers but not both ( bruckner 2006 ) .
. both diving and targeted trawling are used for the capture , however trawls are restricted mainly to the south of the state and their use has declined over the past few years ( bruckner 2006 ) . in 1997 , divers with permits for sea urchins and abalones were allowed to collect sea cucumbers as well ( rogers - bennett and ono 2001 , bruckner 2006 ) .
sea cucumbers , particularly eggs and young larvae , are prey for fish and other marine animals . they are also enjoyed by humans , especially in asia , and some species are farmed as delicacies .
in this phase , four experimental fishery areas ( efas ) were set up throughout the bc coast to examine the effects of different exploitation rates on sea cucumber populations . the kitasoo fisheries program , a local first nations organization , also participates in two central coast efas . the efa projects were estimated to require approximately 10 years to yield results and have been ongoing since 1997 . as well , surveys and experimental harvests are conducted by commercial or first nations divers on their own vessels , but under the direction and supervision of a biologist .
reproduction : spawning usually takes place in november . each female produces thousands of eggs which she releases into the water . these eggs are then fertilized by sperm released by male sea cucumbers . this method of reproduction is called broadcast spawning .
sea cucumbers use yet another interesting technique when they are faced with danger . they are able to expel internal organs along with toxic substance ( called holothurin ) toward the predators . all missing organs will be regenerated in the next 1 . 5 to 5 weeks .
when threatened , some sea cucumbers discharge sticky threads to ensnare their enemies . others can mutilate their own bodies as a defense mechanism . they violently contract their muscles and jettison some of their internal organs out of their anus . the missing body parts are quickly regenerated .
recently this species has been discovered to be able to take up nutrients via the respiratory tree in the anus . brothers et al . ( 2011 ) found that labeled stable isotopes from the seawater made their way into the cucumber through the anus and respiratory tree , especially in late winter / early spring when the animal was regenerating its gut . jaeckle and strathmann ( 2013 ) found that radiocarbon - labelled unicellular algae and iron - containing macromolecules could also be incorporated into animal tissues via the respiratory tree .
the sea cucumber parastichopus californicus atrophies and regenerates its internal organs on an annual cycle . previous research has suggested that during the period of maximal regeneration ( january–march ) no movement or feeding occurs ; however metabolic rate is doubled compared to non - regenerative periods ( june–august ) . uptake of dissolved organic material ( dom ) from the aqueous environment could provide an external source of biosynthetic materials for regeneration of the internal organs . p . californicus were collected in the summer ( actively moving and feeding , not degenerating or regenerating ) , winter ( inactive , degenerating ) , and spring ( inactive , regenerating ) . animals were incubated in seawater containing a mixture of amino acids labeled with 15n and 13c . incorporation of 15n ( summer , winter , spring ) and 13c ( summer , spring ) by the respiratory trees was significantly higher than incorporation by other types of tissues . additionally , dorsal and ventral epidermis , oral tentacles , digestive tract , muscle , and tube feet incorporated 15n and / or 13c during at least one season . these results demonstrate that certain tissues , especially the respiratory trees , of p . californicus assimilate free amino acids from the sea water which could be used as biosynthetic materials for regeneration . these results also indicate that the respiratory trees may have a role in nutrition as well as respiration .
sea cucumbers feed on tiny particles like algae , minute aquatic animals , or waste materials , which they gather in with 8 to 30 tube feet that look like tentacles surrounding their mouths . the animals break down these particles into even smaller pieces , which become fodder for bacteria , and thus recycle them back into the ocean ecosystem . earthworms perform a similar function in terrestrial ecosystems .
in the state of alaska , harvesting of this species began in 1981 as an experimental fishery ; however the first true commercial landing was recorded in 1983 in ketchikan ( southern alaska ) . sea cucumbers are collected by scuba divers . the fishery was initially not subject to any regulation , and the number of divers increased rapidly when , in 1990 , the alaska department of fish and game closed down the fishery to develop a management plan . in 1995–1996 , 424 divers were issued permits in southeast alaska and this number decreased to 235 in 2001–2002 and 174 in 2006–2007 ( hebert and pritchett 2002 ) . there is currently a fishery in kodiak and the aleutian islands areas ( ruccio and jackson 2002 ) .
this species is the only species fished on the west coast of canada , the fishery being centered on vancouver island in the georgia and johnstone straits and in the puget sound . the fishery was an open access through 1990 . the number of licenses rose from 40 in 1985 to 215 in 1990 . the number of vessels went from 21 in 1985 to 126 in 1990 . in 1988 , 124 divers where involved and 163 in 1990 ( muse 1998 ) . the fishery in british columbia expanded rapidly after 1980 with annual landings exceeding 1900 tonnes in 1988 . fishing was initially permitted in the south coast areas only and the majority of landings were taken in the strait of georgia until 1987 . the north coast was opened in 1986 with a total annual recommended catch of 500 tonnes , although fishing did not occur there until 1987 . to date , landings of sea cucumbers have been recorded from all canadian pacific fisheries management areas , with the exception of the north and west queen charlotte islands . the central and north coasts currently support about 80 percent of the fishery ( dfo 2002 ) .
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thank you for taking the time to provide feedback on the iucn red list of threatened species website , we are grateful for your input .
mercier , a . , hamel , j . - f . , toral - granda , t . - g . , alvarado , j . j . , paola ortiz , e . & benavides , m .
it occurs at depths from 1 - 250m ( cameron and fankboner 1986 , 1989 , lambert 1997 ) .
densities of this species are between 0 . 1 to 0 . 22ind * m
at depths of 80 to 130m ( bruckner 2006 ) . in washington , the cpue between 1995 and 1998 ( bradbury 1999 ) varied from 56 to a maximum of 80kg * diver
this species can be found in the shallow subtidal zone down to 250m , it is found on various types of substrata and various current regimes , however , it is most abundant in areas with moderate currents over cobbles , boulders , shells , sand , crevassed bedrock and algae . it appears to avoids mud bottoms and areas with freshwater runoff ( zhou and shirley 1996 , woodby
slow moving deposit feeder which collects organic matter and associated micro - organisms ( cameron and fankboner 1989 ) . this species ceases feeding and becomes dormant between september and early march ( lambert 1997 ) . adults undergo fluctuations in body mass , body wall thickness , and muscle weight during their annual cycle as they reabsorb and regenerate their internal organs ( fankboner and cameron 1985 , dfo 2002 ) .
the larvae feed on plankton and remain in the water column for a period of 35 to 52 days ( lambert 1997 ) . however , cameron and fankboner ( 1989 ) observed that the pelagic phase could be as long as 65 to 125 days just to reach the auricularia stage and another 2 days were necessary for the pentactula to develop . this suggests that the spawning stock may be quite far from where the larvae settle and grow ( muse 1998 ) . settlement was observed in dense mats of filamentous red algae , algae holdfast , under rocks or in crevices ( cameron and fankboner 1989 , dfo 2002 ) . the recruitment is sporadic and a high natural mortality rate is suspected ( rogers - bennett and ono 2001 , bruckner 2006 ) . juvenile growth is slow , reaching 0 . 5 to 2cm after a year and 4 to 10cm after two years ( dfo 2002 ) . sexual maturity is reached after 4 years ( cameron and fankboner 1989 , lambert 1997 ) . based on an analysis of length frequency data for the first three years of growth , commercial–sized specimens were estimated to be at least 4 years old ; the oldest animals could be around 12 years of age ( cameron and fankboner 1989 ) .
in the state of oregon , the fishery began in 1993 targeting this species exclusively ( bruckner 2006 ) . collection is by scuba divers and by trawl with experimental gear permits ( bruckner 2006 ) . only nine divers requested a permit for the fishery in 1993 even though 44 permits had been made available , whereas 22 divers were recorded in 1994 ( bruckner 2006 ) . the number of harvesters in oregon after 1994 remained low : five in 1997 , two in 1999 , one in 2000 , two in 2001 and two in 2003 ( bruckner 2005 ) .
. 2001 ) . bruckner ( 2005 ) adds that a maximum of 111 dive permits and 36 trawl permits were issued in 1997 , and this declined to 95 divers and 24 trawl permits in 2004 . there are no restrictions on catch but trawling is prohibited in some conservation areas and along the shore of most islands ( bruckner 2005 ) .
mercier , a . , hamel , j . - f . , toral - granda , t . - g . , alvarado , j . j . , paola ortiz , e . & benavides , m . 2013 .
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emily finds a partially albino ( pinto ? ) parastichopus while diving near church island . . . just up the strait from race rocks . this is it in the slide show to the right .
this file is provided as part of a collaborative effort by the students of lester b . pearson college
h . , kathy . parastichopus californicus . pioneer union elementary school district : virtual zoo . web . february , 2008 .
trefry , sarah . the race rocks taxonomy . parastichopus californicus the race rocks taxonomy . web . december 2001 .
young , heather linda . giants and dinosaurs . collogeneral defense . web . february 24 , 2011 .
porch , thoma e . biology third edition with laboratory exercises . print . 2005 .
this page was last modified on 29 october 2015 , at 20 : 07 .
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found in rosario bay , wa . side view . animal is approx . 20cm in length .
are usually paler in color than body surface and tipped with red . tube feet are densely arranged on the ventral side and only three pairs of rows are distinct . the mouth is directed ventrally at the anterior end and is surrounded by
how to distinguish from similar species : parastichopus parvimensis , which lives from monterey bay south , is very similar in form and can grow to nearly as large , but the body is chestnut brown dorsally and much paler below ; plus the tips of its papillae are tipped with black instead of red . parastichopus leucothele is colored similarly but lives at deeper depths ( 24 - 285 m ) and is colored bright orange with rusty brown patches and small white papillae .
habitat : exposed and sheltered areas protected from strong wave action . subtidal species are found primarily on gravel and shell debris
general references : lamb and hanby , 2005 lambert , 1997 morris , abbott , and haderlie , 1992 . kozloff , 1993 . o ' clair and o ' clair , 1998
mcedward , larry r . and benjamin g . miner , 2006 . estimation and interpretation of egg provisioning in marine invertebrates . integrative and comparative biology 46 : 3 pp 224 - 232
woodby , d . , s . smiley , and r . larson , 2000 . depth and habitat distribution of parastichopus californicus near sitka , alaska . alaska fishery research bulletin 7 : 22 - 32
general notes and observations : locations , abundances , unusual behaviors , etc . :
another photo of parastichopus californicus . this species can become short , round , and turgid or long , limp , and flaccid . photo by dave cowles , july 1997
on june 22 , 2005 divers from the station gathered 5 p . californicus for an experiment . all five were placed into the same running seawater tank , measuring 170 x 48 x 120 cm . within a few hours ( about sundown ) four of the five cucumbers began releasing gametes into the water . all gametes released were in a thin , wispy white stream which looked like sperm . they continued releasing gametes until the tank , though it was being gently flushed with seawater , was cloudy . gamete release continued for at least half an hour . the day before ( june 21 ) had been the full moon . below i have a still photo , plus a link to a digital movie of gamete release by the cucumbers .
gametes being released by parastichopus californicus . photo by dave cowles june 22 , 2005 .
here is a link to a digital . mpg movie of parastichopus releasing gametes on june 22 , 2005 .
this individual is feeding on the sediment near rosario . photo by jim nestler , july 2005
during the summer , with significantly greater concentrations recorded at night than during the day . no day vs . night differences were observed for movement , metabolism , or ammonium excretion by p . californicus in either summer or winter . movement rate and the concentration of excreted phosphate were significantly lower during winter than in the summer . metabolic rate however , was significantly greater during the winter compared to the summer . animal size varied seasonally , with mass and volume during the winter being significantly less than in the summer . these data suggest that some behavioral and physiological process of
the moplike tentacles are visible in this feeding individual . underwater photo by kirt onthank , july 2007
this individual eviscerated its gut and respiratory tree after being held a few minutes july 6 , 2010 . photo by dave cowles
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is a solitary nocturnal animal . it has the ability to regenerate all parts of its body . when threatened , it can expel all its stomach contents through its anus until its next feed . it can also expel sticky filaments to ensnare or confuse predators . it undertakes seasonal migrations to different depths .
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. lab for advanced spatial analysis , department of geography , university of british columbia , vancouver . accessed 12 / 11 / 2014 .
mercier , a . , hamel , j . - f . , toral - granda , t . - g . , alvarado , j . j . , paola ortiz , e . & benavides , m . ( 2013 ) .
. the iucn red list of threatened species . version 2014 . 2 . accessed 12 / 11 / 2013 .
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age determination studies have not been successful due to lack of hard body parts , the lack of structure in the length frequency data and the inability to tag and follow individuals for long periods of time .
this precautionary approach has allowed for 25 % of the total coastline to be open to commercial fishing , 50 % of the coastline is closed to harvest until sufficient knowledge had been accumulated to permit informed management , and the remaining 25 % will be used for experimental fisheries , designed to investigate stock response to varying harvest rates .
in a phase 0 review of available biological data , critical information gaps were identified and recommendations for management and further research were made .
d & d ; pacific fisheries ltd . - service bureau internet site ( commercial fishery landings updated daily and links to industry association and market information )
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chosen as a symbol of the united states in 1782 , the bald eagle represents virtues such as strength , courage , and freedom .
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more than one - third of our nation ' s wildlife species are at risk of extinction in the coming decades , threatened by a host of human activities . find out about the major issues currently putting america ' s treasured wildlife at risk .
wildlife species depend on their habitats , and on one another , to thrive . learn the benefits of healthy and diverse populations , and what needs to be done to protect those at risk .
the national wildlife federation welcomes the news that epa administrator scott pruitt has stepped down from his position to allow new leadership for this critical agency .
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15 - 20 pcs / lbs natural form , low - salt dried with meat 400g / 14 oz .
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when threatened , they throw out their internal organs to entangle the predator in mucus . the organs are usually regrown .
they have skin that is leathery and a very long body . they seem to be jelly like and are often confused with slugs . the wall of their bodies is formed by collagen . this allows them to make their body loose or tight . then they can easily get in and out of small crevices . this can help them to escape predators too .
they range in size from 4 to 12 inches long . there are a few species though that can be just over 3 feet long . they don’t have a brain but instead a very detailed and complex nervous system . they don’t have any sensory organs so what they take part in is all based on programming and instinct . they do have a mouth but it is hard to see . they tend to be laying on their side in the water so that is why those elements are harder to identify .
can’t vocalize it uses other means of being able to communicate with others . they are able to send signals that involve hormones through the water . they can liquefy the body when they need to in order to get away from predators . some of the species are able to emit a stick substance too that the predator will get tangled up in .
they leave their tentacles open and this allows them to capture food through them . they can also be found sifting through the sediment at the bottom of the ocean to be able to find any food there .
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fertilization ( fusion of reproductive cells ) occurs in the water after release of huge amount of eggs and sperm cells .


ethmiopsis catarina is a moth in the gelechiidae family .

it was described by ponomarenko in 1994 .

it is found in the russian far east and korea .

ethmiopsis catarina

ethmiopsis catarina ; ponomarenko , 1997 , far east . ent . 50 : 42
dactylethrella catarina ponomarenko , 1994 ; japan heteroc . j . 176 : 8 ; tl : rjasanovka , primorskii krai
ethmiopsis aganactes ; ponomarenko , 1997 , far east . ent . 50 : 42
ethmiopsis epichthonia ; ponomarenko , 1997 , far east . ent . 50 : 42
ethmiopsis heppneri ; ponomarenko , 1997 , far east . ent . 50 : 42
ethmiopsis prosectrix ; ponomarenko , 1997 , far east . ent . 50 : 42
ethmiopsis scriniata ; ponomarenko , 1997 , far east . ent . 50 : 43
ethmiopsis subtegulifera ; ponomarenko , 1997 , far east . ent . 50 : 43
ethmiopsis tegulifera ; ponomarenko , 1997 , far east . ent . 50 : 43
ethmiopsis prosectrix meyrick , 1935 ; mat . microlep . fauna chin . prov . : 69 ; tl : tien - mu - shan
= ; [ sangmi lee ] ; ponomarenko , 1997 , far east . ent . 50 : 42
= ; ponomarenko , 1997 , far east . ent . 50 : 42 ; [ sangmi lee ]
chelophoba aganactes meyrick , 1935 ; mat . microlep . fauna chin . prov . : 72 ; tl : tien - mu - shan
homoshelas epichthonia meyrick , 1935 ; mat . microlep . fauna chin . prov . : 71 ; tl : lungtan
homochela heppneri park , 1995 ; tropical lepid . 6 ( 1 ) : 79 ; tl : pingtung co . , taiwan
chelophoba melaina clarke , 1986 ; smithshon . contr . zool . 416 : 173 ; tl : marquesas archipelago , fatu hiva , omoa
chelaria scriniata meyrick , 1913 ; j . bombay nat . hist . soc . 22 ( 1 ) : 163 ; tl : pundalalouya , ceylon
dactylethrella subtegulifera ponomarenko , 1994 ; japan heteroc . j . 176 : 7 ; tl : gornotaezhnoe , primorskii krai
dactylethra tegulifera meyrick , 1932 ; exotic microlep . 4 ( 7 ) : 201 ; tl : s . ussuri
larva on quercus mongolica , quercus serrata ponomarenko , 1997 , far east . ent . 50 : 43
sangmi lee , richard brown & sibyl bucheli . gelechioidea - a global framework ;
[ maps ] warning ! the maps are automatically generated from the textual information , and the process does not always produce acceptable result ; see about maps for more info .
sattler , 1973 a catalogue of the family - group and genus - group names of the gelechiidae , holcopogonidae , lecithoceridae and symmocidae ( lepidoptera ) bull . br . mus . nat . hist . ( ent . ) 28 ( 4 ) : 153 - 282
if you have corrections , comments or information to add into these pages , just send mail to markku savela keep in mind that the taxonomic information is copied from various sources , and may include many inaccuracies . expert help is welcome .
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the east african black mud turtle ( pelusios subniger ) , also known as the pan terrapin , is a species of turtle in the pelomedusidae family , native to eastern and southeastern africa .

east african black mud turtle

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an east african black mud turtle ( pelusios subniger ) at the plzen zoo .
east african black mud turtle by lambert m . surhone , mariam t . tennoe , susan f . henssonow
east african black mud turtle @ lufkin , tx zoo on 3 / 3 / 12 taken with sony cyber - shot dsc - wx9 .
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in the pet trade , but p . subniger —the east african mud turtle—is a different species that is rare in captivity .
the west african mud turtle has an endearing expression due to its “smile . ”
this group of turtles are known as the african side - necked turtles or the east african serrated mud turtles . they are classified in the genus
like the helmeted turtle , the african mud turtle is often seen in water holes frequented by zebra , elephants and other large mammals .
pelusios castaneus have remained easily obtainable and fairly inexpensive for the turtle keeper . they are exported in large numbers out of their native africa and many enthusiasts are now having breeding success . in recent years , the african helmeted turtle appears to be the more commonly offered species to the general public . the west african mud turtle follows behind it with the east african mud turtle being virtually unknown in most collections .
the east african black mud turtle has a smooth , domed carapace with a length of 5 . 1 - 7 . 9 inches . the carapace is typically dark brown , gray , or black , often with yellow markings on the margins . the plastron is hinged , and can be brown , grey , black , or yellow . the upper jaw has a blunt unnotched , nonbucuspid
keeping west african mud turtles outdoors provides an opportunity to create some beautiful outdoor habitats .
the african mud turtle is placed in the family pelomedusidae , along with 26 relatives ; 2 subspecies have been described . it is sometimes confused with the superficially similar ( and equally hardy ) west african mud turtle ( pelosius castaneus ) and the african helmeted turtle ( pelomedusa subrufa ) ; please see photos . all may be kept as described here .
► the first report of turtle haemogregarines in central america . ► 100 % prevalence in black river , scorpion mud , and white - lipped mud turtles . ► surprisingly , higher parasitemias noted in black river turtles compared with white - lipped mud turtles . ► differences in parasitemia may be due to host natural history or parasite biology .
zoo med’s turtle tub , wading pools , and koi ponds can be fashioned into excellent african mud turtle habitats . outdoor housing is ideal , assuming that raccoons and other predators can be excluded .
a medium sized species , the west african mud turtle grows to between 7 and 11 inches . some individuals may make it up to 12 inches .
in captivity , the east african black mud turtle has been recorded laying its eggs in february and march , with hatchlings emerging around 58 days later ( when incubated at 28 to 30°c ) , although this may vary with location ( 4 ) . three to twelve eggs are produced per clutch by the female and buried in a flask - shaped nest cavity ( 2 ) ( 5 ) . in the seychelles , the seychelles black mud turtle subspecies lays its eggs between december and february ( 1 ) .
spawls , steve ; kim howell , harald hinkel , michele menegon 2018 . field guide to east african reptiles . bloomsbury , 624 pp . - get paper here
this is a tropical turtle from eastern and south - eastern africa , madagascar and the seychelles ( 2 ) ( 3 ) . the seychelles black mud turtle subspecies is confined to the seychelles islands of mahé , cerf , praslin , la digue , fregate and silhouette ( 1 ) .
this is a tropical turtle from eastern and south - eastern africa , madagascar and the seychelles ( 2 ) ( 3 ) . the seychelles black mud turtle subspecies is confined to the seychelles islands of mahé , cerf , praslin , la digue , fregate and silhouette ( 1 ) .
natural habitat : the east african sideneck is a tropical mud turtle from eastern and southeastern africa and and madagascar . although strong swimmers , they are usually found in shallow waters of soft bottomed marshes , streams and ponds . mud turtles are hardy . they are designed to withstand poor conditions . if it gets too hot , too cold or too dry they will estivate , burrowed into the mud , until better conditions arrive .
east african mud turtles like a watery habitat . if their river or pond dries up during the dry season they may ‘aestivate’ , which means to sleep in the summer . they retreat to underground burrows and sleep until the water returns .
classified as least concern ( lc ) on the iucn red list ( 1 ) . subspecies : pelusios subniger parietalis ( seychelles black mud turtle ) is classified as critically endangered ( cr ) on the iucn red list ( 1 ) .
classified as least concern ( lc ) on the iucn red list ( 1 ) . subspecies : pelusios subniger parietalis ( seychelles black mud turtle ) is classified as critically endangered ( cr ) on the iucn red list ( 1 ) .
i have 18 malaysian black scorpion . if anyone wants to buy just message me on my facebook account .
african mud turtles are best kept in bare - bottomed aquariums ; gravel traps waste material , greatly complicating cleaning , and may also be swallowed .
in the wild , african side - necked turtles or african mud turtles are found in a variety of habitats from rivers and shallow pools to large lakes . in captivity most can be kept in relatively simple enclosures .
the above two photos are evidence that captive - bred west african mud turtles can exhibit an attractive lighter coloration than their wild - caught counterparts . the lighter coloration of the smaller , captive - bred turtle may remain , or it may turn darker , depending on the turtle’s exposure to natural sunlight .
the west african mud turtle may not be littered with vibrant spots or stripes , and its general coloration doesn’t scream at you , but this compact and robust turtle is a lot of fun to work with . it’s an excellent candidate for a backyard waterscape , and isn’t fussy when housed indoors , either .
hedges , n . g . 1983 . reptiles and amphibians of east africa . kenya literature bureau , nairobi . 140 pp .
some specimens are lighter in color , such as a dark brown and even tan , but generally the african side - necked turtles are gray to black overall with dark skin . they vary in size ,
if size or aggression present potential problems for you , a soft - shelled turtle is definitely not your best choice for a pet turtle . choose another !
west african mud turtles are quite common in nature and first appeared some 120 million years ago making them one of the most primitive turtle species on earth today . they have withstood the test of time making them expert survivalists in a harsh world .
the west african mud turtle is a medium sized , aquatic turtle found throughout west africa . highly adaptable , they occur in many fresh water habitats such as mud holes , swamps , rivers and ponds . during droughts and when seasonal spaces dry up , the turtles will aestivate into the ground to wait out the wet season . they are usually found in large numbers basking along muddy banks and are ravenous feeders .
largely aquatic , the african mud turtle lives in well - vegetated rivers , marshes and swamps , as well as in seasonally flooded pans ( low areas that hold water for a time ) within savannas . individuals occupying temporary water bodies burrow into the mud and aestivate ( become dormant ) or travel across land when their habitats dry out .
i just got my turtle like 3 days ago and it hasnt eaten much . only ate 1 turtle pill and 2 pieces of lettuce . should i be worried ?
african side - necked turtles or african mud turtles are commonly imported from africa , but captive - hatched specimens are the best pets . these can be purchased from better pet stores , from breeders at the larger reptile shows across the country , and on - line .
while no turtle likes to be picked and held , the west african mud turtle has a rather calm disposition . they rarely bite and usually withdraw into their shells if they are being handled . some will attempt to free themselves so watch out for those sharp nails . we only handle our turtles during water changes and for health inspections to help minimize any stress .
jacobsen , n . h . g . 2009 . a contribution to the herpetofauna of the passendro area , central african republic . african herp news ( 47 ) : 2 - 20
christianson , j . l . and a . e . dunham . 1972 . reproduction of the yellow mud turtle ( kinosternon flavescens flavescens ) in new mexico . herpetologica 28 : 130 - 137 .
type locality : unknown ; later designated as
tamatave ,
on the east coast of madagascar , by bour ( 1978 ) and confirmed by bour ( 1982 ) .
mud and musk turtles eat commercial aquatic turtle diets well , but need some fish and invertebrates in their diet . they are especially fond of snails , guppies , minnows ( shiners ) , earthworms , and redworms .
i am looking for a young adult male florida box turtle . i live in jacksonville , fl .
gorongosa national park is home to some of the biologically richest and most diverse ecosystems on the african continent .
boycott , r . c . , and o . bourquin . the southern african tortoise book : a guide to southern african tortoises , terrapins and turtles . privately published , kwazulu - natal , south africa , 2000 .
the genus name pelusios means “mud , ” and the west african mud turtle lives up to its name . its smooth , elliptical carapace lacks any pattern and is a uniform dark to light brown . the legs and head are a dark gray to brown with a light reticulated pattern on the top of the head . only when the turtle is viewed from the bottom does a color other than brown become more evident : a creamy yellow coloration can be seen on the soft parts beneath . the brown plastron is hinged and features some lighter areas among the brown .
wild african mud turtles take a huge variety of foods , including fish , tadpoles , snails , carrion , insects , frogs and small snakes . aquatic and terrestrial plants have been reported in the diets of some populations as well .
leopard tortoises are a signature animal of the african savannah and are one of the most successful species in this habitat . they are beautiful tortoises easily recognized by their domed carapaces with contrasting black and yellow patterns . ( the shell’s top is the carapace . the shell’s bottom is the plastron . )
the maryland zoo has three leopard tortoises on exhibit in its african journey exhibit — two males and one female .
there are nineteen species of mud and musk turtles ranging from the northeastern united states and south to central and south america .
spawls , s . , k . howell , r . drewes , and j . ashe . a field guide to the reptiles of east africa . san diego : academic press , 2002 .
male mud turtles have longer , thicker tails than females , with a slightly concave plastron . females have shorter , smaller tails and flat plastrons . the large , flat head and neck are withdrawn into the carapace sideways , giving this turtle its other common name : african side - necked turtle . the jaws are arranged in a way that displays a comical smile , similar to that seen in the blanding’s turtle , and with minimal webbing , the strong limbs are equipped with sharp nails that enable these turtles to rip food items to shreds and to haul themselves onto land or floating debris .
african side - necked turtles feed eagerly on commercial aquatic turtle food and will eat fish , crayfish , worms , and even crickets . they will also pick at aquatic plants and especially enjoy taking bite - sized pieces from the leaves of
mccord , w . p . , joseph - ouni , m . & bour , r . 2004 . chelonian illustrations # 17 : eastern and southern african mud turtles . reptilia ( gb ) ( 37 ) : 73 - 77 - get paper here
east african black mud turtles are small turtles , with a maximum shell length of 7 . 9 in ( 20 cm ) , and an elongate , oval , unkeeled , unserrated carapace . the medium - sized plastron is posteriorly notched , has a well - developed hinge between the pectoral and abdominal scutes , and the pair of meosplastral bones between the hyo - and hypoplastra are in contact on the midline . the anterior plastral lobe is much broader than the posterior lobe , and it is only slightly longer than the interabdominal seam . the plastron is strongly constricted at the level of the abdominal - femoral seam . axillary scutes are not present on the bridges .
east african black mud turtles are small turtles , with a maximum shell length of 7 . 9 in ( 20 cm ) , and an elongate , oval , unkeeled , unserrated carapace . the medium - sized plastron is posteriorly notched , has a well - developed hinge between the pectoral and abdominal scutes , and the pair of meosplastral bones between the hyo - and hypoplastra are in contact on the midline . the anterior plastral lobe is much broader than the posterior lobe , and it is only slightly longer than the interabdominal seam . the plastron is strongly constricted at the level of the abdominal - femoral seam . axillary scutes are not present on the bridges .
spawls , s . , k . howell , r . drewes , and j . ashe . 2002 . a field guide to the reptiles of east africa . academic press , san diego . 543 pp .
the west african mud turtle joins itself alongside some of the most primeval species of turtles having first walked the planet some 120 million years ago . today , it remains on the iucn’s list of species of “least concern , ” meaning it appears to be doing rather well in nature . perhaps it’s because of the turtle’s robustness , enabling it to escape nature’s wrath , or maybe even its drab appearance contributes to its survivability , allowing it to blend in with its environment and remain unnoticed by predators and collectors .
taking on a soft - shelled turtle is a big responsibility . consider some important points before you commit to owning one .
most mud and musk turtles are small , hardy , and inquisitive , making them some of the best turtles to keep indoors . a large aquarium with a pair of musk turtles , good filtration , and plenty of driftwood and aquatic plants makes an ideal turtle display .
i don’t use any substrate in any of my indoor aquatic turtle set ups simply because i prefer to keep things simple . a bare bottom is easier to clean when the water needs changing . west african mud turtles can be quite messy when feeding , and they will rapidly dirty the water . this is also why i don’t use filters ; i prefer to do frequent water changes every few days .
our turtle & tortoise care sheets are meant as a general guideline to caring for your turtle / tortoise . every specific species requires it ' s own unique care - while many species are overlapping and can be kept with other species that have similar needs .
african sideneck turtles ( pelomedusidae ) .
grzimek ' s animal life encyclopedia . . retrieved july 09 , 2018 from urltoken urltoken
the seychelles black mud turtle is protected under seychelles law and , although it does not occur in any reserves , it can be found in conservation - managed areas on fregate and silhouette ( 1 ) . captive breeding has been established at the nature protection trust of seychelles ( npts ) , leading to an experimental reintroduction of captive - bred individuals on silhouette . however , there is an urgent need to raise the profile of marsh conservation in the seychelles before the last remaining fragments are lost ( 6 ) .
the seychelles black mud turtle is protected under seychelles law and , although it does not occur in any reserves , it can be found in conservation - managed areas on fregate and silhouette ( 1 ) . captive breeding has been established at the nature protection trust of seychelles ( npts ) , leading to an experimental reintroduction of captive - bred individuals on silhouette . however , there is an urgent need to raise the profile of marsh conservation in the seychelles before the last remaining fragments are lost ( 6 ) .
) . these photos of two males compare the carapaces and plastrons of the two species , with the helmeted turtle on the right .
tortoise & freshwater turtle specialist group 1996 . pelusios subniger . 2006 iucn red list of threatened species . downloaded on 29 july 2007 .
i just got my african sideneck a few days ago and when i got him i saw some odd looking spots , like its peeling . i thought it was probably nothing since they were okay selling him to me at the pet store . now the spots are whitish and his shell is getting black around the spots . im worried and not sure what it is .
african mud turtles spend most of their lives in water , but are more “bottom crawlers” than swimmers . their habitat needs parallel those of the american mud and musk turtles . the aquarium’s water should be of a depth that allows the turtle to breath while it is standing on the bottom of the tank ( i . e . without having to swim to the surface ) . if provided with easy access to land , adults can also be kept in deeper water . the water area should be stocked with driftwood and other structures that can be used as sub - surface resting sites .
african mud turtles quickly learn to “beg” for food as soon as their owner appears , and make excellent , responsive pets . they become quite bold once acclimated to captivity , and do well in busy locations . if provided proper accommodations , captive breeding is possible ( please post below for details ) .
the next time you’re in the market for a new turtle , don’t overlook this underdog . you just might end up being pleasantly surprised .
chris leone has kept and bred many turtle and tortoise species for more than 20 years . visit him at urltoken and hermannihaven . com .
as mentioned , p . castaneus basks often , unlike other shallow - water , mud - dwelling turtles . in the wild , large numbers of them can be seen clustered along river banks , soaking up the powerful african sun . those that are kept indoors must be provided with a powerful , heat - emitting bulb of 100 to 150 watts . mercury vapor bulbs are my favorite because they also provide both uva and uvb rays . these bulbs can be placed in ceramic fixtures , available at pet and home improvement stores , and positioned about 12 inches above the basking area . west african mud turtles will often spend hours under these lamps .
anderson , n . b .
pelomedusidae ; pelusios sinuatus ; serrate hinged terrapin ; reproduction .
african herp news 23 ( 1995 ) : 46 .
african sideneck turtles ( pelomedusidae ) .
grzimek ' s animal life encyclopedia . . encyclopedia . com . ( july 9 , 2018 ) . urltoken
i just got a african long neck yesterday . i am worried cause he / she keeps discharging this slimmy white stuff it looks like string . i had an african long neck for 27 years before i dont remember him ever having anything like this . . any one know what this could be . . is it normal
rödel , m . o .
predation on tadpoles by hatchlings of the freshwater turtle pelomedusa subrufa .
amphibia - reptilia 20 ( 1999 ) : 173–183 .
hello , my sons have made a wonderful fl . box turtle habitat - we are looking to buy $ $ female fl . box turtles . please contact us , thx
the dark brown to black carapace is broad and oval - shaped , and averages 6 - 8 inches in length ; some individuals may approach 10 inches . the neck is retracted into the shell by being “folded” to the side , as is seen in the south american side - necked turtles .
baby african side - necked turtles are hardy and grow quickly . keep them in an aquarium with clean filtered water , warmth , uvb rays , and a few sturdy basking sites . they feed well on a variety of food . they relish small invertebrates , especially worms , and they quickly begin eating commercial aquatic turtle food . keep aquatic plants such as
distribution of pelusios subniger parietalis in the seychelles islands , east of africa in the indian ocean . red points = museum and literature occurrence records based on recent and current author’s data ; green shading = projected distribution based on author’s data ; pink points = extirpated populations ; olive shading = areas of extirpated distribution .
branch , b . [ = w . r . ] 1993 . southern african snakes and other reptiles . a photographic guide . new holland ( publishers ) ltd , london . 144 pp .
spawls , s . ; howell , k . ; drewes , r . c . & ashe , j . 2002 . a field guide to the reptiles of east africa . academic press , 543 pp . [ reviews in hr 34 : 396 and afr . j . herp . 51 ; 147 ] - get paper here
other important food items include various turtle treat foods and freeze - dried krill or shrimp . crickets , butterworms , calci - worms , roaches and other invertebrates will also be consumed with gusto .
) occurs primarily in the mississippi , missouri , kansas , arkansas , red , colorado , ohio and cumberland rivers . this subspecies is also occasionally found in lakes and marshes , and is distinguished by indistinct dark spots and short bars on the carapace . there are also pale stripes with thin black borders on the snout and head .
i have an african sideneck and i changed the water last night . everything was good i feed him but left the light on late this morning when i woke up , i woke up to find him dead .
for up to four adult turtles , an area measuring 6 by 3 ? feet and 125 to 175 gallons will usually suffice , but be sure to watch out for any turtle that is overly aggressive . such an individual will need to be removed at once in order to avoid serious injury to the other turtles . west african mud turtles tend to be easy going and rarely attempt to bite , but a responsible keeper should always be on the lookout for potential problems . if you plan to keep just a single turtle a 40 - gallon breeder tank would be fine . the water depth does not need to be more than 8 inches , and it should include live or artificial plants to make the turtles feel secure . driftwood , large cork bark slabs , river stones and logs should be positioned securely to provide the turtles a place to haul out , dry off and bask .
hatchlings should be kept in low water…just enough so that they can breathe without swimming . floating live or plastic plants will provide youngsters with security…they are on the menus of many african predators , and remain shy for a time !
african side - necked turtles are prolific breeders and females can lay multiple clutches each year . while egg - laying , females bury themselves deeply , even up to the base of their front legs . the depth achieved could be a defensive strategy against monitors or other egg - eating predators or could be a safety measure to allow eggs to avoid the extreme heat and drying potential of the hot african sun close to the surface of the laying area .
continent : africa caribbean distribution : burundi , tanzania , mozambique , s democratic republic of the congo ( formerly zaire ) , zambia , n botswana , zimbabwe , central african republic , gloriosa island , madagascar , seychelles , sao tome , gambia ( maccarty island , håkansson 1981 ) , cameroon introduced to mauritius , gloriosa isles , diego garcia , chagos archipelago , and guadeloupe , lesser antilles . type locality : unknown ; later designated as
tamatave ,
on the east coast of madagascar , by bour ( 1978 ) and confirmed by bour ( 1982 ) . parietalis : seychelles islands ( cousin island )
pewtress , r . k . 1990 . the stinkpot musk turtle ; its natural history and captive maintenance . reptiles ( ed . j . cooke ) , proceedings of the 1988 uk herp society symposium on captive breeding .
i just got my african sideneck a few days ago and when i got him i saw some odd looking spots , like its peeling . i thought it was probably nothing since they were . . . ( more ) leonardo luna
turtles don ' t instill the cautious concerns that some folks have when dealing with other types of reptiles . however adult females of most species of african mud turtles get larger than most first - time pet buyers realize , with adult females reaching 9 - 12
inches within five or six years . also , when threatened these turtles can exude a horrible musk odor . this is most often exhibited by wild caught specimens . fortunately after settling into captivity they rarely exhibit this behavior .
a high quality commercial turtle chow ( the various zoo med pellets are my favorites ) can comprise up to 50 % of the diet . reptomin food sticks and trout chow also provide excellent nutrition , and may be offered regularly .
most african side - necked turtle species can be kept in relatively simple enclosures as they have fairly modest requirements . they like to have a place to swim and also love basking , especially in groups . when basking they are alert but very shy , plopping into the water at the approach of their keeper . they will soon become tame however , and though they dive off into the water of the enclosure , will quickly surface to see if any food has been offered .
due to the variety of aquatic environments it inhabits in its african homeland , where it may occupy everything from rivers to seasonal mud holes , p . castaneus is quite adaptable and does not appear to be very picky in captivity . it can be housed outdoors in the summer and where winters are mild , and will do very well in outdoor ponds or water gardens that get plenty of sunlight , thriving where temperatures stay in the high 70s and into the 100s ( with nighttime in the mid 60s ) .
most remain small , with common musk turtles ( stinkpots ) reaching only 4 inches . most of the central american species reach 6 - 7 inches and the very aggressive giant musk turtle ( staurotypus triporcatus ) can grow to 15 inches .
a dry basking surface is necessary . commercial turtle docks and ramps work for smaller specimens , but large adults may sink anything that is not affixed to the glass with silicone adhesive . cork bark wedged between the aquarium’s sides is another option .
an essay on taxonomy and the genus pelusios by david kirkpatrick , ph . d photos at the california turtle & tortoise club website wct photos of several pelusios species , some showing the plastral hinge : wct photos of the single pelomedusa species :
cox , w . a . , m . c . nowak , and k . r . marion . 1980 . observations on the mating behavior in the musk turtle , sternotherus minor , j . herp . 14 , 200 - 204 .
a seychelles endemic subspecies of a widely distributed african species . present on mahé , cerf , praslin , la digue , fregate and silhouette islands . extent of occurrence estimated at 3 , 500 km² , but area of occupancy is approximately 0 . 05 km² .
if a standard florescent bulb is used ( the zoo med 10 . 0 uvb bulb is ideal ) , be sure that the turtle can bask within 6 - 12 inches of it . high - output florescent uvb bulbs and mercury vapor bulbs broadcast uvb over greater distances .
the mud until the next rains ( which may be longer than a year ) . they hibernate terrestrially in the ground or under leaves during the winter in southern africa . adults feed mostly at dawn or during the night , but hatchlings forage day and night . helmeted turtles are occasionally very aggressive in captivity .
healthy west african mud turtles are impressive consumers . if you make food available to them , they will eat it—all of it . they will beg for food and accept almost anything . some fruits or greens are taken , but p . castaneus is much more inclined to strip a chicken leg or thigh of all its meat , skin and cartilage . individuals become quite enthusiastic at feeding time and will leave the water to snatch a tasty item from your hands . i prefer to use tongs when feeding them because they can be rather overwhelming to deal with as they all come barreling toward me at the site of food .
paul vander schouw is an avid turtle hobbyist from west - central florida . a mechanical engineer by profession , he has about 1 , 000 individual turtles representing more than 100 species and subspecies . he has successfully bred more than half . chelid side - necked turtles are his primary interest .
like all basking turtles , mud and musk turtles are susceptible to vitamin a and d3 deficiencies . be sure to offer them a variety of food . for those not given access to direct sunlight , make sure their food contains the proper amount and ratio ( 2 : 1 ) of calcium and vitamins and to have uvb - emitting bulbs overhead .
typically , african side - necked turtles arrive with varying amounts of shell damage . minor cases heal well if treated with a betadine® scrub and if the turtles are kept in a warm , sunny environment . more serious cases may require treatment with silvadene® cream . access to direct sunlight helps immensely with treating most shell problems .
outdoors , west african mud turtles can be housed in ponds and water gardens . this species does not hibernate so they should only be kept outside in the spring and summer if you reside in an area subjected to a cool season or winter . the pond should feature an abundance of aquatic plants like hyacinth , water lettuce , iris and lilies . the turtles will appreciate this vegetation as cover . gradually sloped to a maximum depth of 12 inches , the pond should make up about 75 % of the entire enclosure . the remaining 25 % will be used for basking and potential egg laying , shrubs and grasses can be planted in this portion to allow for extra cover .
many species of musk turtles are found in spring - fed streams . therefore , most mud and musk turtles will thrive in water that is soft , clean , oxygenated and with plenty of underwater decorations . water temperature is best kept at 76 - 78° f ( 24 - 26° c ) with a decrease in winter and an increase in the spring to stimulate breeding .
this turtle lives in the shallow waters of soft - bottomed marshes , swamps , streams , and ponds . it eats insects , worms , snails , small fish , amphibians , crabs and plants that grow in water . these turtles are generally nocturnal but will bask in the sun or wander about on land during the rainy season .
watching soft - shelled turtles feed can be a fascinating and exciting event . they’re highly animated feeders , and nearly any edible material plunked into the tank will be eagerly devoured by a softshell . live or pre - killed fish , insects and worms , as well as commercial fish and turtle pellets , are all appropriate fare for soft - shelled turtles . fish and other live prey items will be hunted , pursued and ambushed , while pellets and other non - living items will be gobbled off the surface of the water with a quick gulp . anything too big for a softshell to swallow whole will be torn to pieces by the turtle’s shearing jaws and piercing claws .
there are three well - established species of soft - shelled turtle native to north america . they are the spiny softshell ( apalone spinifera ) , which is divided into seven subspecies ; the smooth softshell ( a . mutica ) , which is divided into two subspecies ; and the florida softshell ( a . ferox ) , with no recognized subspecies .
softshells are accepting of a variety of housing arrangements , but they definitely require some specific conditions in order to remain healthy and active . their tank must be provided with a sand substrate , or otherwise the water must be filtered with mechanical / biological / chemical filtration . large , abrasive stone objects should be avoided . the leathery skin of a soft - shelled turtle’s shell is living tissue that is susceptible to injury and infection . burrowing into and scooting about under the sand substrate helps exfoliate the shell . this removes bacteria and fungi , and stimulates regeneration of new , healthy skin . without this provision , soft - shelled turtles are very susceptible to shell - skin infections that can eventually become systemic and kill the turtle .
the black spiny softshell ( a . s . atra ) is endemic to cuatrocienegas basin of coahuila , mexico . the carapace is dark overall and apparently lacks any distinct markings . the texas spiny softshell ( a . s . emoryi ) occurs in the pecos and rio grande rivers of new mexico and texas , and the colorado river drainages of utah , nevada , california , arizona and new mexico . the pale rim of the carapace is four to five times wider along the rear margin than along the sides , and the head stripes are typically broken resulting in a post - orbital ( behind the eye ) blotch .
turtles are messy feeders and very hard on water quality . unless the enclosure can be emptied and cleaned several times weekly , a powerful submersible turtle filter or canister filter will be necessary . even with filtration , partial water changes are essential . removing your turtles to an easily - cleaned container for feeding will lessen the filter’s workload and help to keep the water clean .
broadley , d . [ g . ] 1989 . pelusios subniger ( lacépède 1788 ) . pp . 133 - 134 . in : f . w . king and r . l . burke ( editors ) . crocodilian , tuatara , and turtle species of the world . a taxonomic and geographic reference . the association of systematics collections , washington , dc . 216 pp .
stinkpot musk turtle ( kinosternon odoratus ) – from new england to florida and wisconsin , kansas , oklahoma and texas . 5 inches ( 12 cm ) babies from 2 . 2 to 2 . 9 grams ( tiedemann , pers . com . ) these turtles bask high above the water in nature , dropping as much as 18 inches down to the water below when disturbed .
chris leone ' s educational contributions to the reptile community have been an essential addition to much of the information available today . his constant work with many of the world ' s turtle and tortoise species helps to reveal new and exciting details on captive husbandry along with breeding frequently . for an up to date look into the world of chelonian keeping , visit him at : urltoken & urltoken
housing soft - shelled turtles in a community tank can be a risky proposition for both the softshell and any potential companions . although softshells can normally cohabitate quite peacefully with other softshells as well as other turtle species , there is always the potential for conflict . observation is required when keeping softies with other turtles , and they should be removed from the group at any indication of a problem . if they are able to assert their dominance , a softshell can swiftly become the tank bully and monopolize food and other resources . even if they do not actually physically harm other turtles , softshells are capable of intimidating them to the point where the other turtles will stop feeding . conversely , if another turtle begins nipping at the fleshy margin of the softy’s shell , serious injury can result .
both indoors and outdoors , mud and musk turtles can be kept successfully with other species as a clean - up crew for fallen food . use pvc pipes , driftwood , and rock piles to keep combative males away from each other or even better , set up small groups of one male and two or three females per enclosure . they will feed on most types of food and will usually climb up and lay their eggs alongside the other turtles of the enclosure .
bates , m . f . ; branch , w . r . , bauer , a . m . ; burger , m . , marais , j . ; alexander , g . j . & de villliers , m . s . ( eds . ) 2014 . atlas and red list of the reptiles of south africa , lesotho , and swaziland . suricata 1 . south african national biodiversity institute , pretoria , 512 pp .
gravid ( egg - bearing ) females usually become restless and may refuse food . they should be removed to a large container ( i . e . 5x the length and width of the turtle ) provisioned with 6 - 8 inches of slightly moist soil and sand . females that do not nest should be seen by a veterinarian as egg retention always leads to a fatal infection ( egg peritonitis ) ; oxytocin injections usually resolve the problem quickly .
occasionally , imported african side - necked turtles exhibit a variety of eye problems . these are typically the result of dehydration and poor conditions during shipping and can range from a minor filmy covering to more severe swelling . filminess will usually disappear within a few days of placing them into clean , filtered water . more severe problems may require the application of an ophthalmic antibiotic . a good basking spot and plenty of sunlight as well as good water quality will prevent most eye - related problems .
although they are hardy , adaptable and willing to eat just about anything , soft - shelled turtles can sometimes be difficult to adjust to captivity . as always , a captive - bred soft - shelled turtle is preferable to one taken from the wild . captive - bred turtles are accustomed to housing under artificial conditions from the moment they hatch , are much less likely to be diseased or harbor parasites , and generally tend to be less aggressive than their wild - caught counterparts .
in nature , p . castaneus is native to west africa ( angola , guinea , ghana , senegal , liberia , sierra leone , and the republic of the congo are just of few of the places they occur ) , where specimens are found in many aquatic habitats . some of these dry up seasonally , forcing the turtles to aestivate deep down into the mud to wait for the return of the wet season . this is a robust , hardy species that is able to withstand extreme temperatures , stagnant water , major floods and severe droughts .
for the sake of limiting the amount of work i have to put into cleaning any indoor aquatic turtle habitat , i choose to not use a substrate in the water section . it makes things much easier . however , larger sized pea gravel is a good choice if you would like to use something . outdoors , the turtles will drag the substrate from the land / nesting into the water area which is fine . they will enjoy digging into it at the bottom especially on excessively hot days .
this species has a voracious appetite and they quickly learn to recognize their keeper as a food source . they will swim and walk over to you in hopes of receiving a bite to eat . aggression can occur during feeding time so always be on the look out for a problem . they are an inquisitive species and certainly do not just vanish under the mud except for during extreme weather conditions . their basking capabilities adds to the character they already show and they can be a lot of fun to watch as they pile on top of one another for the best spot .
pets should be offered a diet comprised largely of whole animals such as fish , earthworms , snails , pre - killed pink mice , crayfish and prawn . whole freshwater fishes such as minnows and shiners are the best source of calcium for turtles , and provide other important nutrients not present in prepared foods . offer fish at least once weekly . a steady goldfish diet has been implicated in liver problems in other species , so use these sparingly if at all . cuttlebones or turtle calcium blocks will also be accepted by many individuals .
situated at the southernmost end of the african great rift valley and covering 4 , 000 km2 , gorongosa national park is located in mozambique , and encompasses four major ecological zones and spans the elevation gradient from sea - level floodplains of lake urema to high montane meadows of mt . gorongosa . the gorongosa restoration project , which has managed the recovery of the park following mozambique’s civil war , has nearly fully rebuilt wildlife stock decimated by the conflict . gorongosa is now home to thriving populations of 150 mammal and over 420 bird species , and an astonishing diversity of plants and invertebrate animals .
an outdoor enclosure measuring 10 by 10 feet can house up to eight adult turtles , with a water area accounting for 75 percent of the space . the remaining 25 percent can be planted with low - lying shrubs and grasses , and could be used by females as a nesting area . like all outdoor turtle enclosures , security from predators and escapes is a must . a secure retaining wall measuring at least 18 to 24 inches tall can be made from pressure - treated wood , landscaping timbers , bricks or other strong materials . sink the walls 8 inches into the ground to prevent the turtles from digging out .
leopard tortoises are well adapted to the semi - arid conditions of the savannah , and do not tolerate damp or cold well . their days are geared to the fluctuating temperatures of their arid environment . as with all arid regions , the african savannah experiences extreme temperature fluctuations over a 24 - hour period . it gets very hot during the day when the sun is burning brightest , but cools off considerably when the sun goes down . leopard tortoises are most active early in the morning and just before the sun goes down , when the temperature is most moderate . they seek shelter during the hottest part of the day and go to sleep early to avoid the cold .
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like many of the world ' s chelonians , pelusios castaneus has the potential to live a long life . reports typically suggest more than 50 years in captivity for this species .
the turtles may leave the water during extended heat waves and seek refuge under these plants . the entire enclosure should be at least 10x10 feet for up to eight adult turtles . a strong retaining wall of at least 18 inches is a must to prevent the inhabitants from climbing out . this can be constructed from pressure treated wood , cement blocking or landscaping timbers . the wall should also extend into the ground 6 inches or more in case of an escape via digging . predator proofing through means of a screen lid made from 2x4 ' s and reliable wire mesh may be necessary in your area .
indoors , this species can be housed by using a variety of methods . fairly easy to accommodate , pelusios castaneus will do well in large all glass aquariums , stock tanks , troughs and custom built tubs . for up to four adults , a unit of at least 6x3 . 5 feet is suggested . the water should be no more than 6 to 8 inches and can be filled with live or fake aquatic plants . driftwood , large cork bark slabs , rocks and half logs make for excellent basking sites and will be used readily by the turtles .
the more decor the better so that the turtles can
escape
one another especially when an overly enthusiastic male is in hot pursuit of the females . always watch for aggressive group members and remove them to avoid injuries . filtration is optional but if you opt against it like i do , be ready to do water changes every 2 to 3 days . the water will dirty quickly and start to smell . even when using a filter , water changes are inevitable because these turtles can make quite a mess during feeding time . you can always feed the turtles in a separate
feeding tub
to help cut down on the frequency of water changes .
when housed outside , the turtles need nothing more than the sun for appropriate lighting and temperature . inside , artificial lighting is recommended . mercury vapor bulbs of 100 - 150 watts have proven to be a good choice . they provide both uva and uvb rays and give off excellent heat . placed above the basking area , these bulbs will offer the turtles all they require to warm up and stay active in a room where the ambient temperature stays between the mid 70s and 80s . with the basking area reaching at least 95f and the appropriate ambient room temperature , it is not necessary to heat the water . if room temps do tend to fall beyond the low 60s , a submersible fish tank heater can be added to bring the water back to a more desirable degree .
this species is capable of surviving in stagnant ponds and rather dirty water conditions . this is of course something that should not be purposely practiced in captivity . keep any water source as clean as possible by overflowing outdoor ponds weekly and by doing frequent water changes for indoor units .
the breeding success of pelusios castaneus in captivity seems to be centered in the collections of zoos and institutions but private keepers are having some luck as well . clutches can be as large as 11 to 18 eggs by a single female . the chalky eggs are laid in a sandy - soil substrate and the female digs a deep hole which she lowers herself down into a significant amount . once the female has finished nesting , the eggs can be dug up and placed in an artificial incubator . in the incubator , the eggs are kept on moist vermiculite in deli cups with air holes punched into them . they require a higher humidity level of between 90 - 95 % .
at a temperature of 85 - 87f , the fertile eggs will hatch at around 53 - 59 days , sometimes more than 60 . the little neonates can be placed in a similar indoor setting as the adults but the water should not be as deep . a depth of 2 - 4
is fine and the babies will use the aquatic plants as refuge and security . after about 4 to 7 days , they usually start accepting their first meals . they should not be placed outdoors until they are of a more substantial size like 3 to 4
. i highly suggest that hatchlings be kept separate from the always hungry adults to avoid severe bites and to protect them from being consumed altogether .