Rhinoclemmys pulcherrima

Superregnum: Eukaryota
Regnum: Animalia
Subregnum: Eumetazoa
Cladus: Bilateria
Cladus: Nephrozoa
Superphylum: Deuterostomia
Phylum: Chordata
Cladus: Craniata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Infraphylum: Gnathostomata
Superclassis: Tetrapoda
Cladus: Reptiliomorpha
Cladus: Amniota
Classis: Reptilia
Cladus: Eureptilia
Cladus: Romeriida
Subclassis: Diapsida
Cladus: Sauria
Cladus: Archelosauria
Division: Pan-Testudines
Division: Testudinata
Ordo: Testudines
Subordo: Cryptodira
Superfamilia: Testudinoidea

Familia: Geoemydidae
Subfamilia: Rhinoclemmydinae
Genus: Rhinoclemmys
Species: Rhinoclemmys pulcherrima
Subspecies: R. p. incisa – R. p. manni – R. p. pulcherrima – R. p. rogerbarbouri
Name

Rhinoclemmys pulcherrima (Gray, 1855)
Vernacular names
čeština: Želva kouzelná
Deutsch: Pracht-Erdschildkröte
English: Painted wood turtle, Ornate wood turtle

The ornate or painted wood turtle[2] (Rhinoclemmys pulcherrima) is one of nine turtle species of the genus Rhinoclemmys of the family Geoemydidae. There are four recognized subspecies.[3]

Description
Plastron of a painted wood turtle

Painted wood turtles can grow to a maximum length of 20 cm. It has a dome-shaped carapace and the plastron has a continuous ventral line. It has red stripes on its body and it has webbed feet.
Distribution

It is found in Mexico (from Sonora southwards) and Central America, as far south as Costa Rica.
Habitat

Painted wood turtles live in rainforests, shallow rivers and bushes. Although they are mostly terrestrial, they can occasionally be found in shallow water.
Diet

The painted wood turtle feeds on fruit, insects, and worms. Their diet should consist of 60% leafy greens, 30% protein, and 20% fruits and vegetables. Along with a varied diet, they require additional calcium to insure healthy shell growth. Unlike aquatic turtles, the painted wood turtle doesn't require water in order to swallow its food.
Breeding

Painted wood turtles are oviparous. Females lay 3-5 eggs at a time. Eggs at low temperatures can be dormant early stages, and can sleep for some time at low temperatures, when the temperature returns to normal incubation can proceed.
In captivity

Painted wood turtles can be kept as pets, and it has long been imported into the various parts of Asia, such as Japan, Taiwan and China. The nominate subspecies is the most common subspecies kept in captivity. They will eat commercial turtle food, and will also eat plant matter.
Subspecies

Rhinoclemmys pulcherrima incisa - Honduras wood turtle - El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras and southern Mexico
Rhinoclemmys pulcherrima pulcherrima - nominate race - southern Nicaragua, Costa Rica
Rhinoclemmys pulcherrima manni - Central American wood turtle - Mexico, Guerrero and Oaxaca
Rhinoclemmys pulcherrima rogerbarbouri - Mexican wood turtle - Mexican endemic subspecies

References

Fritz Uwe; Peter Havaš (2007). "Checklist of Chelonians of the World" (PDF). Vertebrate Zoology. 57 (2): 243–245. ISSN 1864-5755. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-12-17. Retrieved 29 May 2012.
Rhinoclemmys pulcherrima, The Reptile Database
"Rhinoclemmys pulcherrima". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 4 August 2010.