Unfortunately all my Kachugas, purchased as hatchlings, turned out to be males. None of them weighed more than 95 g and their length (straight carapace) did not exceed 85 mm when I had to give them away after 3 years. These measurements seem to be the norm for adult males of this species as a few breeders have told me.

All three animals were always kept together; they spent the cool seasons in a 200 l aquarium and the warm ones in a garden pond on the south side of our house. Though sometimes I did witness some behaviour among them that I would interpret as antagonistic/territorial it never resulted in any harm being done or the suppression of one or more animals.

They were extremely compatible with any other turtles regardless of size; on several occasions I have housed hatchlings of other species with them. On the contrary, a freshly hatched Kinosternon baby dominated the Kachugas quite a bit a feeding time (when insects or pellets were fed).

They were extremely fond of insects of all kinds, as long as they were managable in size - favorites being crickets and mealworms. My turtles consumed large quantities of greens (salads, dandelion etc.) but when fed pellets or insects at the same time would always prefer those. Bundled greens with a weight attached were much preferred over floating greens.

My Kachugas were avid baskers, though always quick to take to water if disturbed - but not quite as nervous as Graptemys in that respect. Once in the water they could be fed from the hand. To my knowledge they have never voluntarily left their pond, but always basked on a log in its center. They were surprisingly cold resistant - still active on 15° C days in the pond, though all breeders I know keep water & air temperatures above 28° C for breeding purposes.

Their shells are VERY sensitive to abrasion - so give them cork bark or logs for basking purposes and remove all stones from their enclosure. If you don't, you'll typically find small dark marks on their shells which will eventually heal if you always keep the water very clean - and which will turn nasty fast if you don't.

Updated 2001-02-10