Ornate Wood Turtles   Rhinoclemmys pulcherrima manni
By Steve Zuppa

Introduction
Of all the Central American wood turtles (rhinoclemmys sp.), a family which
includes several species and many races, the ornate wood turtles of
Nicaragua and Costa Rica are by far the most beautiful and in recent years,
are becoming much more common in the pet trade.  All that are available come
from the wet open woodlands of southern Nicaragua where they are active and
intelligent forest dwellers utilizing food sources both on land and in the
various water bodies in their tropical habitats.  Sizes up to 8” are common.
With varying degrees of color intensity, the carapace is typically “painted”
over with ocelli and reticulations.  The face and forelimbs are also well
colored and show a network of red reticulations and lines.  This sub specie
is sometimes quoted as being “the most beautiful of the Latin American
turtles”.

Housing
I believe that this turtle should be kept outdoors in spacious enclosures
for as long as weather permits.  My specimens stayed in a large eastern box
turtle Terrapene carolina terrarium during the warmer months.  The large but
shallow water receptacles and the moist habitat required for the box turtles
was ideal for this turtle as well.

A very simple outdoor enclosure can be made from aluminum sheeting
relatively inexpensively.  Start off by purchasing a roll of 2.5-3’ tall
aluminum.  After this is obtained, all you have to do is form a ring of
preferred size (I use 8-10’ diameter but you can make it as large as you
want), snip off the excess, and rivet the two ends together.  This ring
should be sunken into the ground a minimum of 6” to ensure the turtle don’t
dig out from under it.  The smooth walls will prevent any climb outs.
Inside the terrarium sink several large, but shallow water containers to
their lips.  Under the bed totes and large plastic hardware boxes measuring
2’x3’x4-6” are ideal.  Use a rock or piece of driftwood to create a ramp so
that the turtles can easily exit.  Be prepared to pale out the water and
refill as old water becomes fowled.  Some specimens are preferentially more
aquatic than others and these will be the ones spending the majority of the
day inside or very close to the water basins. Because p. r. manni is also very terrestrial in habit, decorate the land areas of the terrarium as well with items such as boulders, tree trunks, shrubs, and tall grasses.  They will actively explore the terraria especially during periods of barometric pressure drops such as during the passage of a storm.  During excessively hot days, my ornates stayed in the water tubs throughout the day, emerging to eat in early mornings or late evenings. The turtles live outdoors for only a few months where I am at (Kentucky), but when night time temperatures begin to fall below 50F all my neo tropical species are brought indoors.  Though far less elaborate than the outdoor terrariums, the indoor habitat must be spacious as well and must include relatively large land and water areas.
A minimum tank size of 55gallons is necessary for the indoor keeping of one
specimen, although larger is of coarse better.  Multiple specimens require
even larger set ups and designing such a habitat often takes a lot of
creativity. I have found that the large plastic totes available from many retailers and discount stores make excellent enclosures.  A large 50 gallon tote will measure nearly 2’x4’ and will house an adult pair.  Such terrariums are also
inexpensive and easy to clean. In the indoor terrarium provide a land area substrate of mulch or moss. Some specimens will actually burrow into the moss if allowed to do so.  The water receptacles do not need to be as deep when the turtles are kept indoors.  A 2’x2’x3” tray is all that is necessary for such enclosures.

Lighting and Heating
A turtle kept outside in natural sunlight will require no additional
lighting, and as long as night time temperatures do not drop below 50F and
daytime temperatures are in the 70-80F range than no additional heating is
needed as well.  Once brought indoors though, both UV emitting fluorescent
bulbs and basking lights should be employed.  Indoor terrarium temperatures
should be kept between 70 and 80F and with these specifications, your ornate
wood turtles will thrive.

Feeding Ornates
Unlike many chelonian species, the Central American wood turtles will eat
both on land and in water.  As I previously stated, the specimens I keep
lived in the outdoor terrarium with eastern box turtles during warm weather,
and when ever I fed the box turtles on a large feeding slab, then the wood
turtles would emerge from their hiding places, and would come eat side by
side with the Terrapene.  Minnows were occasionally put inside the water
receptacles and were quickly eaten as well. R. p. manni is not a finicky feeder, and they will accept a wide range of greens, fruits, vegetables, and animal matter.  Romaine lettuce, collard greens, mustard greens, green leaf lettuce and dandelion should make up the base of the diet.  Besides this, you should ad vegetable pieces such as sweet potatoes, tomato, and green beans; as well as fruits such as strawberries, apples, grapes, banana (only occasionally though), apricot, mango, and other berries.  Treat with crickets, super worms, wax worms, red worms, and other invertebrates, fish, crayfish, pieces of boiled chicken, and even canned high quality dog food.  As with the box turtles, I prefer to mix in some prepared turtle chows with the other food items.  Avoid feeding ice burg lettuce as it contains no nutritional value.  Also do not feed out spinach or brussle  sprouts as these items have been linked to kidney
problems in turtles and lizards.   Young R.p.manni should be fed daily,
while the adults can be fed 4-5 times per week. Every second or third feeding, it is advisable to dust the food items with a good multi vitamin/calcium supplement.  If the animals are kept indoors under artificial lighting, they are unable to synthesize vitamin D3 which allows for proper calcium absorption.  All reptiles not subjected to the UVB rays found in natural sunlight must be supplemented with vitamin D3.

Breeding
Breeding the Ornate wood turtles is not commonplace yet, although it has
happened on occasion.  I have never witnessed copulation personally but I
have been told it occurs in water in the normal turtle fashion: the male
bites the females shell and forelimbs to put her “in the mood”, and when she
is ready to mate, the male mounts her, etc. Several weeks after mating the female nests in a sandy area.  I have only found two clutches, each containing 2 eggs.  Unfortunately all eggs were infertile, and therefore none hatched.  Other keepers have told me that the eggs require incubation at 80-84F and hatch after several months. A reduced photoperiod is necessary to encourage breeding activity.

Summary
The ornate wood turtles prove to be personable and hardy animals if proper
conditions are met.  They are beautiful, active captives which are peaceful
towards other turtles requiring the same habitat.  Until captive breeding
becomes more common, many hobbyists are forced to purchase wild caught
imports, which should be checked out by a vet, but even these make good pets
if healthy.  I highly recommend R. p. manni to any turtle enthusiasts who
are willing to put forth the extra effort to keep this Central American
jewel.