Turtle nurseries, farms and reserves in Russia and the CIS

Many of us remember turtles sold in pet shops in small plastic containers since childhood. But have you ever wondered where they come from and how their wild relatives live? It turns out that there are dozens of places in Russia and neighboring countries where these ancient reptiles are the center of attention.

These are not only nurseries that breed popular species for enthusiasts, but also serious farms operating for commercial purposes. There are also nature reserves and rehabilitation centers whose main task is to study and preserve rare turtles in their natural habitat.

Such places play a huge role. They help protect endangered species, reduce pressure on wild populations, and allow scientists to conduct important research. For ordinary people, this is often a unique chance to see these amazing animals up close and learn a lot about them.

Let's take a short trip together to these special places. We will find out where to observe turtles, how to distinguish a responsible breeding facility, and why some projects are critically important for the preservation of nature in our country and the entire region.

Rehabilitation center for Mediterranean turtles in Safari Park (Gelendzhik)

Safari Park is located in the resort town of Gelendzhik on the southern slope of the Markotkhsky Ridge, which is one of the key habitats of the natural population of Nikolsky's Mediterranean turtle. The total area of the park is almost 160 hectares, and it is home to the largest zoo on the Black Sea coast, among other things. Safari Park is a private project, and all animals are kept here exclusively on funds received from park visitors.

Since 2008, as part of the cooperation between the Safari Park and the Society for the Protection of Amphibians and Reptiles at the Dronte Ecocenter (Nizhny Novgorod), Russia's first rehabilitation center for Mediterranean turtles has been created on the park's territory. These reptiles are often brought here by local residents and visitors to Gelendzhik, who sometimes find turtles in completely unsuitable places, such as on roads or on the outskirts of the city. Turtles have also been brought to the rehabilitation center on numerous occasions after being seized from illegal trade by employees of the Federal Service for Supervision of Natural Resource Use. All turtles that arrive here undergo quarantine and receive veterinary care if necessary. Over the years, dozens of turtles have passed through the center, most of which have been returned to their natural habitats in the Markotkhsky Ridge.

In the future, the rehabilitation center at Safari Park could become a full-fledged turtle nursery. The first steps in this direction have already been taken: in 2014, the turtles kept at the center produced their first fairly large brood, which successfully overwintered. If this success can be consolidated and developed, then in 3-4 years it will be possible to plan the release of grown turtles into their natural habitats, for which, in accordance with the law, special permission will be obtained from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation.

Address: Safari Park, Gelendzhik, Krasnodar Krai, Russia

Website: www.safari-park.ru

Utrish State Nature Reserve

The Utriš Nature Reserve took a long time to create. Its project was prepared back in Soviet times, but it was never implemented. On September 2, 2010, the Utriš Nature Reserve was established. It included part of the existing regional reserve “Bolshoy Utriš.” In 2011, the reserve was divided into four sections: two are forest lands near Anapa and Novorossiysk, and two are sections of internal sea waters and territorial waters of Russia, adjacent to the southwestern coast of the Abrau Peninsula between the Shirokaya Shchel and Vodopadnaya Shchel waterways.

The Utrish Nature Reserve is located in the northwestern part of the Black Sea coast of the Western Caucasus, on the Abrau Peninsula, and includes the westernmost spurs of the Main Caucasian Ridge.

The reserve covers an area of 10,008 hectares, including 783 hectares of marine waters.

There are 44 species of mammals, 157 species of birds, 14 species of reptiles, 8 species of amphibians, about 100 species of fish, including 71 marine species, and more than 1,000 species of insects. The flora includes 859 species from 106 families of vascular plants, 99 species of algae, and 128 species of mosses and liverworts.

The word “reptiles” is not a swear word, but (in the context of describing the animal world) an old scientific name for a group of animals that includes amphibians and reptiles. The corresponding modern term is herpetofauna. The reserve is home to 8 species of amphibians and 14 species of reptiles.

The ecological characteristics of individual species allow them to be divided into three large ecological groups: hydrophilic (lake frog, marsh turtle, common and water snake), xerophilic (Nikolsky's turtle, yellow-bellied toad, common lizard, yellow-bellied and olive snakes) and mesophilic (all three species of newts – Lesser Asian, Lantsa's and Karelin's newts, green and Caucasian toads, Shevchenko's tree frog, Lesser Asian frog, fragile snake, meadow lizard, Shcherbak's lizard, Pallas's snake, Aesculapian snake, and copperhead). The distribution of most amphibian and reptile species is mosaic in nature, associated with different habitat conditions specific to each of the three ecological groups described.

The Utriš Nature Reserve is the main habitat of Nikolsky's turtle. Five to six thousand individuals, representing 20–30% of the entire subspecies, could call Utriš their home. Turtles living in isolation in the western Caucasus within the Krasnodar Krai of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Abkhazia have been classified as a separate subspecies, T. graeca nikolskii (Chkikvadze, Tuniev, 1986). The current status of this subspecies is assessed by experts as the most unfavorable: its range has significantly decreased and is divided into a number of isolated parts, and its population continues to decline steadily (Darevsky, 2001; Tuniev, Tuniev, 2006 a, b). The main reasons for the decline in population, reduction and fragmentation of the Mediterranean turtle's range are anthropogenic transformation and destruction of natural habitats, increasing recreational pressure, and illegal capture of turtles for sale and keeping as pets.

The territory of the Abrau Peninsula, including the Utrish Nature Reserve, is unique in many of its natural characteristics. On the one hand, it is located on the northwestern border of the range of the T. graeca nikolskii subspecies, and on the other hand, it is one of the main key habitats of this subspecies, where one of the largest and most stable territorial groups of turtles has been preserved.

Address: Anapa, Krasnodar Krai, Russia

Website: utrishgpz.ru

Pitsundo-Mussersky Nature Reserve

The reserve is located in the coastal part of northwestern Abkhazia. It occupies part of the Pitsunda Peninsula and the slopes of the Mussersky Upland surrounding it. It is the only reserve in Abkhazia located in the coastal zone. The reserve covers an area of 3,761 hectares. The reserve was established in 1885. The climate in the reserve is warm, humid, and subtropical. The average annual air temperature is +14.9 °C, the average January temperature is +5 °C, and the absolute minimum is -13 °C. The warmest month is August, with an average temperature of +24 °C and an absolute maximum of +39 °C. The average annual precipitation is 1400 mm. Air humidity ranges from 60% to 90%.

The Mediterranean turtle is rarely found in the reserve, while the marsh turtle is more common. Among snakes, the Caucasian viper and Aesculapian snake, both listed in the Red Book, can be found here.

Address: Republic of Abkhazia, Pitsunda Peninsula

Bolshokhechcirsky State Nature Reserve

The Bolshekhekhcirsky Reserve, located just 20 km from Khabarovsk and surrounded by roads and settlements, still preserves the rich flora and fauna of the Far East. The reserve was established on October 3, 1963, as part of a chain of specially protected natural areas in the Amur region, along with the Zeysky, Khingansky, and Komsomolsky reserves. Geographically located almost in the center of the Middle Amur Lowland, the reserve occupies the spurs of the Bolshoy Khekhcir Ridge, to which it owes its name.

The reserve covers an area of 45,439 hectares.

There are 53 species of mammals, 241 species of birds, 8 species of reptiles, 6 species of amphibians, 45 species of fish, and about 2,850 species of insects.

The reserve is home to 1,027 species of higher plants, 829 species of fungi, 148 species of lichens, and 218 species of mosses.

The rare Far Eastern turtle is found in the lower reaches of the Chirki River.

Address: Russia, Khabarovsk District, Khabarovsk Territory, 15-20 km south of Khabarovsk, within the Bolshoy Khehtsir Ridge

Website: www.bhz.khv.ru

Khankaysky State Nature Biosphere Reserve

The Hankai Reserve was only established in 1990, although the idea of preserving the nature of this area of Primorsky Krai appeared as early as the beginning of the 20th century. Lake Hankai and the surrounding land are an amazing natural complex, home to more than 300 species of birds. Some birds nest in the reserve, while others just stop over during migration. The flora of these places is also diverse: today, scientists studying Khanka have described almost a thousand species of higher plants and algae, many of which are rare and endemic.

The reserve covers an area of 39,289 hectares.

The protected area is home to 44 species of mammals, 337 species of birds, 6 species of amphibians, 7 species of reptiles, and 74 species of fish. Of these, 54 species of animals are included in the Red Book of Russia. There are about 700 species of higher plants in the reserve.

It is known for certain that the only species of reptile found here is the Far Eastern turtle, which is listed in the Red Data Books of Primorsky Krai (2005) and Russia (2001). The population of Far Eastern turtles in the western part of the reserve is recognized as one of the largest in the Russian Far East.

Address: Russia, Primorsky Krai, Lake Khanka

Website: www.khanka-lake.ru

Khingan Nature Reserve

The Khingan Reserve is located in the extreme southeast of the Amur Region, within the Arkharinsky Lowland and the spurs of the Maly Khingan Range. The Arkharinsky Lowland is part of the Amur-Zeya-Bureya intermountain plain, and the spurs of the Maly Khingan belong to the region of medium-altitude and low Mesozoic mountains and intermountain plains of the left bank of the Amur River. The Khingan Nature Reserve's hydrographic network consists of short rivers: the Uril (105 km), Mutnaya, M. and B. Gryaznaya, Olochi, M. and B. Karabcha, Erakt, Tarmanchukan, Yarchikha, and Borzya.

The Khingan State Nature Reserve was established on October 3, 1963, in the extreme southeast of the Amur Region.

The reserve covers an area of 97,073 hectares. It is home to 49 species of mammals, 292 species of birds, 6 species of amphibians, 2 species of reptiles, and 28 species of fish. More than 950 species of plants can be found within the reserve. The reserve includes the Khingan-Arkharinsky Nature Reserve of federal significance, covering an area of 48,800 hectares.

A small population of Far Eastern soft-shelled turtles inhabits the reserve.

Address: Arkhara, Amur Region, Russia

Website: www.khingan.ru

Sochi National Park

Sochi National Park was established by Resolution No. 214 of the Council of Ministers of the RSFSR on May 5, 1983, with the aim of preserving the unique natural complexes of the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus and using them for nature conservation, recreational, educational, and scientific purposes. The national park became one of the first national parks in Russia. All industrial activity was stopped in the huge mountain area.

The Mediterranean turtle lives in the park.

Address: Russia, Krasnodar Krai, Sochi

Website: sochinp.ru

Astrakhan State Biosphere Reserve

South of Astrakhan, the Volga River splits into many branches and channels, forming an estuary. Here, in the Volga-Akhtuba floodplain (80-120 kilometers below Astrakhan), is the Astrakhan Nature Reserve, which was established in 1919. The reserve consists of three sections: Damchansky in the western part, Trekhizbinsky in the central part, and Obzhorovsky in the eastern part. Initially, the reserve covered an area of 23,000 hectares, but with the fall in the level of the Caspian Sea and the growth of the delta, the area of the reserve increased to approximately 60,000 hectares.

There are few other places in Russia with so many sunny days. The weather is clear here almost all year round, summer lasts almost six months, and the heat sometimes reaches 45 °C.

After coming out of hibernation, the female is placed with the male for 2-3 weeks. Then they are separated. A box is prepared for the female to lay eggs. This can be a small plastic container with a hole for the snake. The pet is then kept in these conditions for 8-10 weeks. During this time, feeding is excluded, but there must be water in the drinking bowl – the corn snake will definitely drink. It is brought out of hibernation in the same way – by gradually increasing the temperature by 1-2 degrees. Corn snakes are not picky eaters and will readily eat frozen rodents. Before feeding, they must be thawed in warm water (50-60 degrees Celsius). When the food is completely thawed, it is offered to the snake. incubator

Reproduction

Mimic the movement of a live mouse with the food item and play with it. This is usually enough for the snake to take the food. If it shows no interest, leave it alone with the food for 30-40 minutes. As a rule, in this case, the reptile will take the food itself after a while.

Reproduction and offspring

Stimulate it

In this article, we will explain all the basics in simple terms: how to set up a habitat, what and how often to feed, and what to pay attention to for your pet's health. You will see that keeping this snake is an exciting and quite feasible task, even for those who are just taking their first steps in terrarium keeping.

There are cases when corn snakes do not accept frozen food. In this case, you need to

According to some experts, in terms of biodiversity and the number of rare species of flora and fauna, the Kuban delta surpasses the Volga delta. This area is protected under the Ramsar Convention as a wetland of international importance.

The length of the coastline within the delta is about 280 km, of which about 160 km is on the coast of the Sea of Azov and 120 km on the coast of the Black Sea.

Marsh turtles, water snakes, and common snakes live on the ridges, manes, and other areas of the delta in freshwater reservoirs, and steppe vipers are occasionally found.

In Russia and the CIS countries, turtles are protected and bred in special nurseries, farms, and nature reserves, where they are treated, helped to reproduce, and, when possible, released into the wild. Such places can be found in the steppes, in the mountains, and even within city limits — anywhere where endangered species need to be preserved, such as the Central Asian or marsh turtle. Some centers welcome visitors so that people can see the animals up close and understand how important it is to protect them. This is not just a hobby — it is real help for nature, especially when the climate is changing and habitats are disappearing.

Chernaya Zemlya Nature Reserve

Endless steppes, dry winds, rivers and brackish lakes that dry up in summer, snowless winters, rare herds of saigas, and masses of small creatures among the grass and sand – all this is the “Black Lands.”

The total area of the reserve is 121,900 hectares. The flora of the reserve includes 246 species of higher plants.

There are 281 species of vertebrates living here, including 22 fish, 3 amphibians, 12 reptiles, 223 birds, and 31 mammals. 71 species of plants and animals are listed in the Red Data Books of the IUCN, Russia, and Kalmykia.

More information about the reserve can be found in the magazine “Our Flora and Fauna No. 7 2013.”

The marsh turtle lives in the reserve.

We hope our review has shown that there are many places in Russia and the CIS countries where turtles are cared for with great love and expertise. These centers do a tremendous job—they rescue animals, study them, help increase the populations of rare species, and simply give people the opportunity to see these amazing ancient creatures.

Visiting such nurseries or reserves can be an unforgettable and very touching experience. It allows you not only to learn a lot of new things, but also to truly feel a connection with nature. See with your own eyes how fragile and at the same time beautiful the life of these reptiles is.

If you are interested in the fate of turtles, you can support these organizations. It is not necessary to go to the reserve right away — sometimes it is enough to simply tell others about them or take a responsible approach to choosing a pet. The main thing is that there is interest in the preservation of these animals, which means they have a future.