It is found in the Balkan Peninsula (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia), in a number of Mediterranean islands including Crete, Cyprus and Lesvos, and in the Middle East (Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey).

[5] The average strait[clarification needed] carapace length is roughly 15 cm (6 in); females are slightly larger.

They are found in wetland habitats, including swamps, rivers, and ponds, although they lay their eggs in grassland regions.

[7] Mauremys rivulata is an omnivorous species, eating both plants and animals, although a preference for meat is documented.

[8] The largest effects come from urbanisation, water engineering projects, and industrial waste from construction.