The Vivarium

Who�s In Our Vivarium? The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point has one of the only student run vivariums in the state. This program is run by the Herpetology Society of UWSP. Our inhabitants include an Asian leaf turtle, eastern box turtles, three-toed box turtle, Burmese Mountain tortoises, a jagged shell turtle, and bearded dragons. The Burmese Mountain tortoise and jagged shell turtle are the vivariums newest members. Here�s a little information on these herps.

The Burmese Mountain tortoise (Manouria emys) is also known as the Asian brown tortoise and is the largest terrestrial Asian chelonian. Some have been recorded at lengths of two feet and weighing over 80 pounds. The Tortoises live in the temperate, moist broadleaf forests of Southeast Asia. Primarily herbivores, they are usually light to dark brown in color. The feature that probably stands out the most, is the tortoises enlarged patch of tubercular scales, which are present on each back thigh.

The jagged shell turtle (Pyxidea mouhotii), also know as the keeled box turtle, has a carapace (upper shell) that is serrated at the rear. They are brownish in color with the plastrum (lower shell) having a dark brown smudge on each scute. The jagged shell turtle is primarily terrestrial, living in parts of China, Vietnam, Northern Thailand, and Burma. They enjoy a varied, omnivorous diet including items such as ors, snails, and fallen fruit. The jagged shell turtle is basically a small turtle, which can reach a maximum of seven inches. Picture (195x130, 54Kb)

Vivarium update - 2/14/00
Things in the vivarium are going quite well. Speedy (the male three-toed box turtle) sustained an injury to his right front leg and a lot of skin had been torn off, but he is back from the veterinarian and he is currently on his way to being back in the vivarium. He will be kept in the prep room until he is fully healed. The young ornate box turtle we obtained from Bob Hay of the Wisconsin DNR is doing quite well. He is also being kept in the prep room and will be put in the vivarium as soon as his lower beak is fully healed (his lower beak had the tip broken off because the former owner never trimmed the upper beak). We hope to have more treefrogs added in the next couple months and we'll hopefully obtain some young Madagascan giant day geckos from Craig Berg of the Milwaukee Public Zoo. Keep your eyes peeled for these new additions in the future!

IF you have any questions or concerns about the Vivarium contact The Vivarium Manager.

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