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Seasonal rhythms and hibernation of European turtles as a problem for their breeders
Tocauerová, Štěpánka ; Vrabec, Vladimír (advisor) ; Vejtrubová, Markéta (referee)
The thesis is focused on the seasonal activity of the European terrestrial turtles, which can be kept in captivity.The following species have been dealt with: Testudo hermanni, Testudo graeca, Testudo marginata and Testudo horsfieldii. The analysis was supposed to confirm the hypothesis that the species that lives that the turtle species living in the north is also the species with the least requirements when it comes to the microclimatic conditions.
The first chapter deals with the characteristics of these species. Both their Czech and Latin name is listed, the most famous subspecies classified, so are the most famous subspecies, the area where they occur is described and their appearance, including the typical features, what they feed on, how they reproduce, what conditions they require if they are to be bred and how endangered they are.
The next part deals with the seasonal rhythms of the turtles. The year is divided into several seasons or phases, i. e. the post-hibernation phase, spring, summer, pre-hibernation phase and hibernation. In each phase there is a description of both the active and passive behaviour of the turtle and of the way this behaviour is influenced by the time of sunshine, air temperature, rainfall or other factors. Examples of specific turtle behaviour that has been observed in different areas of the Mediterranean Sea, where they can be observed in the nature are given. What follows is a general characteristics of the hibernation and estivation and an explanation of the difference between the two.
The next chapter deals with the conditions for the turtle hibernation as a part of the breeding process, such as the preparation of the turtles for the hibernation and the ways to help them do so safely in our country. Some of the turtle keepers' opinions on this important subject, the right way of hibernation can influence other important physiological processes of the turtles are mentioned.
Then the recommended conditions for turtle breeding in our country are described.
The final chapter is charted information about the chosen turtle species ( the size of the shell, the height above the sea level in which they occurr, whether they hibernate or estivate and whether they are listed in the Red Book of Endangered Species and the CITES lists.
The analysis of the informaton that has been collected shows that the hypothesis that was formulated in the beginning of the thesis can be almost confirmed and that the Testudo hermanni seems to be species that is the easiest to breed indeed.
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