Turtle Care! I'm your helper

[theOEGBman]

Quote:
My RES ALWAYS ate any fish I put in with them. If the fish have long fins, they wont for long! I also kept 3 males together with no fighting. The thing with keeping a female with them is that he might just breed her to death. I'd be cautious about putting a female in with him. Especially a young one.

 

[MonkeyZero]

Well I depends on the size of the turtle. The larger it is, the slower it swims,but easier to catch prey. I have problems with males. I only have 5, and they fight, so its one per feamale. I also found out, a few plants, and caves(that are large) and a few decorations, will help the fish stay alive while the turt is around, and will protect the female from a malewho is wanting to mate with her.

 

[hsm5grls]

I was thinking about getting one of those big horse troughs( the galvanized ones) And putting him on the porch in it. The porch is covered so it would protect him from predators and weather. Then adding some fish and maybe another turtle. Some plants and a fountain. What do you think. Also do I need to worry about cold temps. and if so how could I keep the water warm?


He is about 5 or 6 yrs. old I got him from pets mart. He was born with a birth defect, He has no back fin on the left side just a little stump. They said he was not sell able as they only sell "perfect animals" So being newly pregnant and emotional I began to cry and get angry with the manager. I asked why he had to spend his life in a pet shop just because he wasn't "perfect". Long story short they let me adopt him for free as long as I bought all the equipment he would need. $128.00 later I was the proud owner of a free turtle LOL
They told me he would never be able to swim or use a floating island and to keep him is shallow water. i worked with him and now he is a great swimmer and loves to get on his island. I keep him in deep water and he has no problem catching the little fish I put in as a treat on occasion.
I think he gets bored though and am thinking of all the things i could do to make his life more interesting.
With the birth defect I don't think a female is a good idea as I would hate to pass the birth defect on to another turtle.

 

[hollyclyff]

hsm5grls - Have you checked out these forums?

http://www.turtletimes.com/Forums/index.php?showforum=38

http://www.turtleforum.com/forum/upload/index.php?showforum=4

I have box turtles and don't know much about water turtles, but I do know, the more space you can give them the better. And fresh air and natural sunlight are great. Boxies are just fine without a friend, but I don't know about sliders. I think a lot of people use stock tanks and recommend them. I'm not sure I would use a metal one anywhere that it would get direct sun hitting it though. I'd be afraid it might get too hot.

 

[hsm5grls]

hollycliff
thanks for the sites I have been checking them out. You are probably right about the metal in the sun. I will have to go to the feed store and see what I can find. I just want to give the little guy more space and something to do during the day besides swim back and forth. I am gonna get him some ping pong balls and see what he thinks.