Tortuga de monte pintada
(Rhinoclemmys pulcherrima)
N omb res comu n es: Tortuga pinta, Tortuga colorado, Tortuga de rayas rojas (Español) / Painted
wood turtle (Inglés)
Si n ón i mos: Geoemyda pulcherrima
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Distribution 1,2
Rhinoclemmys pulcherrima is comprised of four subspecies which collectively range from Sonora,
Mexico to Costa Rica. They are the only turtles of the subfamily Batagurinae to occur in the New World
(Ernst and Barbour, 1989). Note: Some herpetologists consider this group of turtles as a separate family,
the Bataguridae.
Bi ogeograp h i c R egi on s: nearctic (Native ); neotropical (Native )
Morphology 1,2
Rhinoclemmys pulcherrima is an attractive species with thin red lines on the face and extensive areas
of red and black vermiculations on the limbs, thighs, and tail as well as on the ventral parts of the
marginal scutes and near the midline of the plastron. It has a small head with finely serrated jaw
edges. (Pritchard, 1979) The carapace is light brown with a ridge down the middle and moderate
sculpturing on the scutes. The plastron is yellowish with red markings visible on the marginals. The
shell is somewhat elongated. (McCormick, 1998) Males reach a carapace length of 18 cm and have a
concave plastron and a longer thicker tail, with the vent beyond the carapacial margin. Females are
larger (up to 20 cm CL) with a flat plastron that is slightly upturned anteriorly, and a shorter tail with the
vent beneath the carapace edge. The carapace is flatter and broader in the northern parts of the range,
and domed and narrower southward. (Ernst and Barbour, 1989) One subspecies, Rhinoclemmys p.
rogerbarbouri has an interesting carapace that is somewhat wedge-shaped dorsally and with straight,
posteriorly diverging sides, and upturned marginal edges in some specimens. This forms a "gutter" that
may serve to direct rain water towards the mouth, as has been observed with some species of tortoises.
(Pritchard, 1979)
Oth er Ph ysi cal Featu res: ectothermic ; bilateral symmetry
Habitat 1,2
Rhinoclemmys pulcherrima is a terrestrial lowland species, primarily an inhabitant of scrub lands and
moist woodlands, but also occurs in gallery forest close to streams. The red terrapin seems, at least in
Costa Rica and Nicaragua, to prefer moist situations, and has been observed wading and swimming in
streams and rain pools, especially during the dry season. (Ernst and Barbour, 1989)
Terrestri al Bi omes: scrub forest
Trophic strategy 1,2
Rhinoclemmys pulcherrima is omnivorous. It feeds on wildflowers, grasses, fruit (guavas, mangos,
oranges), insects, worms, and fish. (Ernst and Barbour, 1989) Even though they may spend some of their
time soaking in ponds or other bodies of water, they normally eat on land. (McCormick, 1998)
Life expectancy 1,2
Average l i fesp an
Statu s: cap ti vi ty : 20.4 years.
Reproduction 1,2
Rhinoclemmys pulcherrima lays several clutches of three to five eggs from May to December. Eggs may
be buried in soil or leaf litter. The eggs are elongated and brittle-shelled. (IUCN, 1998) The eggs
measure 24-32 mm x 37-52 mm. Hatchlings measure from 35 to 50 mm in carapace length. (Ernst and
Barbour, 1989) This species has temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD) Pattern Ia (Ewert and
Nelson, 1991). Within the temperature range suitable for incubation, eggs incubated at cooler
temperatures produce mostly males, while warmer eggs produce females. At 24C to 27C all males will
form. When eggs are incubated at 30C only 25% of hatchlings will be males, and above 30C only females
hatch out. (Ewert and Nelson, 1991)
K ey R ep rod u cti ve Featu res: gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate)
Statistics of barcoding coverage: rhinoclemmys pulcherrima 3
Statistics of barcoding coverage: rhinoclemmys pulcherrima 3
Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLDS) Stats
Public Records: 0
Specimens with Barcodes: 2
Species With Barcodes: 1
Conservation status 1,2
Collecting (for food and the pet trade) and deforestation are the major threats to this turtle. Their
natural predators include crocodiles, birds, and mammals. (IUCN, 1998)
US Fed eral Li st: no special status
CITES: no special status
Uses 1,2
This species is harmless to human interests.
References
1. Jolman, M. 2003. "Rhinoclemmys pulcherrima" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27,
2013 at
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Rhinoclemmys_pulcherrima.html
2. © The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors, some rights reserved
3. © Barcode of Life Data Systems, some rights reserved