Emys orbicularis – the European Pond Turtle


Søe Pedersen (Randers/Denmark)


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We shouldn't expect miracles to happen, we won't stop the greenhouse effect and the climatic changes anymore, it's just about limitation of damages by now. Noone can predict if we will lose our coastlines or if Europe is going to freeze because the Gulf Stream will collapse. But for sure the climatic changes will have dramatic effects on reptiles and amphibians. Distribution areas will change, some species will become extinct.

One European native species which has been under dramatic pressure by man-made factors for long years is the European Pond Turtle (Emys orbicularis). Its distribution reached Scandinavia once, today the natural occurrence in Middle and Northern Europe is very limited, perhaps under additional pressure from released Trachemys species. Projects of resettlement hold out hope for the species, and in case the global warming brings higher temperatures for Northern Europe, too, Emys orbicularis may thrive on these new conditions.

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Søe Pedersen from Denmark has been dealing with the natural occurrence and captive care and breeding of the European Pond Turtle for a long time. His love for reptiles accompanied him since his army days in the Near East and is shared by his wife Karin. As far as I know him all of his herpetological projects succeeded in the end even when they took years of efforts, let them be different rat snakes (former Elaphe), or dwarf monitors from Australia (Varanus/Odatria). He has a special interest in outdoor terraria and breeding European species. It's too sad that a fire has destroyed most of Søes house and breeding stock in last autumn and has turned his life upside down.

Nevertheless Søe spontaneously agreed to hold a lecture at the forthcoming BEE which he supported from beginning. He will speak about the historical and current situation of Emys orbicularis in Northern Germany and Scandinavia and its captive care and breeding. Many herpers in Europe and overseas have come to know him as an open-minded, enthusiastic herper and good friend throughout the last 25 years and profited from his knowledge. On 13. September you can meet him in Rheda. Søe will hold his lecture predominantly in English, but since he speaks German and Swedish quite good he will be open for every question concerning outdoor caging and husbandry.