Abstract
Simple SummarySubstrate color is an important physical condition affecting the lifestyle of reared animals. However, no prior data are available regarding northern river terrapins. In this study, the terrapins were reared in five types of colored tanks (transparent, green, red, blue, and black) for twelve weeks. Based on parameters assessing survival, growth, feed utilization, and health, the blue background is more suitable for rearing terrapins relative to other colored tanks. The findings from the current study could be applied to wall, pond, or aquaria decoration to support the head-starting programs of northern river terrapins before release to natural habitat, as well as in public displays, such as aquaria and zoos. Background color has significant effects on the lifestyles of various animal species. In this study, the effects of wall background color on growth, feed utilization, specific activity of gastric and pancreatic enzymes in fecal samples, fecal thermal properties, carapace elemental profile, and hematological parameters were investigated in northern river terrapin (Batagur baska Gray, 1831) in order to optimize the head-starting conditions. The terrapins (70.13 ± 0.04 g initial weight) were completely randomized into five types of colored tanks (transparent, green, red, blue, and black) and reared for twelve weeks. At the end of the experiment, tank color had no effect on survival and growth performance, but had significant effects on feeding rate, feed conversion ratio, and protein efficiency ratio (p < 0.05). Terrapins reared with black, red, or blue backgrounds had the highest feed utilization among the treatments. Among these three groups, analysis of specific activity of gastric and pancreatic enzymes in fecal samples and fecal thermal properties suggested improved digestive functionality in terrapins reared with a blue background relative to the other treatments. Carapace elemental composition and hematological parameters indicated no negative effects on health status of the terrapins reared with this optimal treatment. Findings from the current study support the head-starting program of northern river terrapins before release to natural habitats, and could also be applied in aquaria or zoos for public display.
Highlights
The northern river terrapin (Batagur baska Gray, 1831) is a riverine turtle native to SoutheastAsian countries (i.e. India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, and Indonesia) [1].It prefers freshwater habitats and moves to brackish water or estuaries in the breeding season.This species is classified as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) and as a member of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES); it is one of the 25 chelonians in urgent need of conservation action [2]
Some evidence of color preferences was reported for turtles or tortoises [7,8,9,10], no significant differences in growth performance of terrapins were found across the five background colors in the current study
No significant effects on survival and growth were observed across the five treatments of terrapins, feed utilization efficiency was significantly influenced by the background color
Summary
The northern river terrapin (Batagur baska Gray, 1831) is a riverine turtle native to SoutheastAsian countries (i.e. India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, and Indonesia) [1].It prefers freshwater habitats and moves to brackish water or estuaries in the breeding season.This species is classified as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) and as a member of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES); it is one of the 25 chelonians in urgent need of conservation action [2]. Asian countries (i.e. India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, and Indonesia) [1]. It prefers freshwater habitats and moves to brackish water or estuaries in the breeding season. Under captivity during head-starting, the conditions that affect terrapin quality and animal welfare can be improved. Substrate color is an important physical condition affecting the lifestyle of reared animals [3,4]. Some evidence of color preferences has been reported [7,8,9,10], the majority of such studies have been conducted in fish [11,12,13,14,15]; no prior data are available regarding terrapins.
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