---
title: "Western Caspian Turtle"
description: "Mauremys rivulata — Rettili. The Balkan terrapin or western Caspian terrapin (Mauremys rivulata) is a species of terrapin in the family Geoemydidae."
canonical: https://animalchecklist.com/it/animal/western-caspian-turtle
last_updated: 2026-09-20
---

# Western Caspian Turtle

> Mauremys rivulata — Rettili. The Balkan terrapin or western Caspian terrapin (Mauremys rivulata) is a species of terrapin in the family Geoemydidae.

- Scientific name: *Mauremys rivulata*
- Category: `reptiles` (Rettili)
- Habitats: `freshwater` (Laghi e fiumi)
- iNaturalist observations: 2747
- Wikidata: [Q1504849](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1504849)
- iNaturalist taxon: [105329](https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/105329)

## Names

- en: Western Caspian Turtle
- de: Westkaspische Bachschildkröte
- es: Tortuga del Caspio Occidental
- fr: Émyde des Balkans
- nl: Balkanbeekschildpad

## Countries with the most observations

GR (1130), IL (685), TR (521), AL (73), SY (46), BG (16), LB (15), ME (15), CY (8), HR (5), IT (5), MK (3)

## Summary

The Balkan terrapin or western Caspian terrapin (Mauremys rivulata) is a species of terrapin in the family Geoemydidae. It is found in the eastern Mediterranean region. While technically omnivorous, the terrapins are known to prefer meat. They can grow to 25 cm (10 in) in carapace length, although hatchlings are usually only 3 to 4 cm (1.2 to 1.6 in) in length.

Text: Wikipedia (en), CC BY-SA 4.0 — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balkan_terrapin

## Photo

![Western Caspian Turtle](https://animalchecklist.com/img/animals/western-caspian-turtle/medium.jpg)

Photo: Anna C · CC0 · inaturalist — https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/15232843

## Machine access

`GET https://animalchecklist.com/api/v1/animals/western-caspian-turtle?lang=it` — see [openapi.json](https://animalchecklist.com/openapi.json).