Last year I was deployed to Slidell following Katrina. A family who lost their home asked me to take their pet mud turtle back to Pennsylvania with me until they relocated. I brought the turtle home and have done everything to make him as comfortable as possible.

The problem I have is that in a year, I have never seen him eat. He has not lost weight or gained weight. I kept him indoors all winter and put him in an outdoors shallow pond for several hours each day during the spring and summer.

Three weeks ago I found him on his back with his head and legs completely limp and extended. I tried to revive him for thirty minutes with no success. I put him in a box to bury when I got home after work. When I got home he was moving. I placed him on a heating pad for the next few days and he seems to have fully recovered.

He has been to a vet, given a treatment for parasites, and been determined to be in good health. The doctor said he must have been eating since he didn't lose any weight throughout the year but I have NEVER seen him eat a thing. (I don't know if she really knew what to look for with a turtle.) I think his shell looks drier than when I brought him here. Almost like a thin translucent veneer that is ready to peel. Is this something I should treat?

I was directed to this forum through google groups. I am hoping someone can help me. I am beginning to feel guilty that this turtle is in captivity and in such a foreign environment.

Can anyone explain to me what happened when I found my turtle on his back and what I thought was dead? Also should I be concerned that I have never seen him eat? I was providing him with tadpoles throughout the summer and goldfish last winter but is this enough nutrition? He won't even look at the turtle sticks.

I would appreciate your help. I am desperate. The family who sent him with me has never been in contact since I left. Should I take him back to Louisiana?

Also can anyone verify from the pictures what type of turtle this is from these pictures?

http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/0/1/9/6/4/8/webimg/20887571_o.jpg
http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/0/1/9/6/4/8/webimg/20887580_o.jpg
http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/0/1/9/6/4/8/webimg/20887597_o.jpg
http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/0/1/9/6/4/8/webimg/20887589_o.jpg
http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/0/1/9/6/4/8/webimg/20887625_o.jpg

Thank you for your help.

Karen



God Bless and Keep Safe,
Karen

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