Photo: Mohammad Amin Ghaffari
European Pond Turtle
Emys orbicularis
European Pond Turtle — recorded from Georgia.
At a glance
Key facts in one look
Habitat
Terrestrial / freshwater
Length
Shell typically 15–30 cm depending on species
Venom
None
Conservation
See IUCN
Family
Emydidae
Overview
Who is European Pond Turtle
European Pond Turtle (Emys orbicularis) is recorded from Georgia. It is listed as biologically confirmed in that checklist. This page summarises occurrence and general natural history from scientific sources; fine-scale districts are given only when explicitly supported.
Last updated
Gallery
European Pond Turtle in photos
Identification
How to identify European Pond Turtle
How to recognise European Pond Turtle.
- 01
Freshwater turtle with a flatter shell than tortoises.
- 02
Often basks on banks and logs.
- 03
Webbed feet in many aquatic species.
Biology
Diet, behavior, and conservation
Diet
Varies by species — from mostly herbivorous tortoises to omnivorous freshwater turtles.
Behavior
Diurnal basking is common in aquatic turtles; tortoises are terrestrial and often most active in warm weather.
Conservation
Recorded in Georgia. Many turtles face habitat loss and collection pressure worldwide.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Short answers to the most important questions about European Pond Turtle.
Yes. It is among the 68 amphibians and reptiles formally recorded from Georgia.
Site classification: Harmless. Venom: None.
Varies by species — from mostly herbivorous tortoises to omnivorous freshwater turtles.
References
Sources & References
References
Sources & References
- Tarkhnishvili et al. 2026 — Annotated checklist of Georgia's amphibians and reptiles
- Iankoshvili & Tarkhnishvili 2021 — Georgian herpetofauna records cited in Tarkhnishvili et al. 2026
- The Reptile Database
- IUCN Red List
Species profiles are compiled from peer-reviewed literature and established biodiversity databases, and are reviewed as new taxonomic and conservation data become available.
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