return to main index
  market - home
follow us on facebook follow us on twitter link to us on LinkedIn
International Reptile Conservation Foundation  
Click for 65% off Shipping with Reptiles 2 You
Locate a business by name: click to list your business
search the classifieds. buy an account
events by zip code list an event
Search the forums             Search in:
News & Events: Kingsnake battles a Rattlesnake . . . . . . . . . .  The battle for survival for the Ibiza wall lizards . . . . . . . . . .  Bringing back the Horned Lizard . . . . . . . . . .  UGA Study shows pathogens threaten snakes survival in Southern US . . . . . . . . . .  First time Sea Turtle nesting in Florida . . . . . . . . . .  New regulations on Native Species for Wisconsin Keepers . . . . . . . . . .  Heavy Metal Scorpion . . . . . . . . . .  How a python change the course of Attenbourgh's life . . . . . . . . . .  Make good choices . . . . . . . . . .  Burmese found on roadside in Wisconsin raises issues . . . . . . . . . .  Happy Earth Day . . . . . . . . . .  Kingsnake Merch Store . . . . . . . . . .  Kingsnake returns to Tinley . . . . . . . . . .  kingsnake.com joins Monitor Brains! . . . . . . . . . .  Sneak Peek . . . . . . . . . .  Amphibian gut bacteria showing promise in cancer research . . . . . . . . . .  Herp Photo of the Day . . . . . . . . . .  Herp Photo of the Day . . . . . . . . . .  Meet The Baroness - The world's longest snake . . . . . . . . . .  Herp Photo of the Day . . . . . . . . . .  Updates? . . . . . . . . . .  Herp Photo of the Day . . . . . . . . . .  The mechanics behind the viper strike . . . . . . . . . .  Snakes on a Train? . . . . . . . . . .  Tracking the animals in the Florida Everglades - Meet the Croc Docs . . . . . . . . . .  Reintroduction attempts give San Francisco Garter a second chance . . . . . . . . . .  Promoting Reptiles is Our Jam Man . . . . . . . . . .  Origins of Chytrid discovered . . . . . . . . . .  Wisdom Wednesday - The Forums - The water is warm... Come on in! . . . . . . . . . .  Kingsnake.com Past, Present and Future . . . . . . . . . .  Bay Area Herpetological Society Meeting - June 26, 2026 . . . . . . . . . .  Tinley NARBC June - Jun 27-28 2026 . . . . . . . . . .  DFW Herp Society Meeting - June 27, 2026 . . . . . . . . . .  Greater Cincinnati Herp Society Meeting - July 01, 2026 . . . . . . . . . .  Reptile Super Show & LA Pet Fair - July 11-12 2026 . . . . . . . . . .  PACNWRS - Jul. 11-12, 2026 . . . . . . . . . .  Colorado Herp Society Meeting - July 18, 2026 . . . . . . . . . .  Chicago Herpetological Society Meeting - July 19, 2026 . . . . . . . . . .  Bay Area Herpetological Society Meeting - July 24, 2026 . . . . . . . . . .  DFW Herp Society Meeting - July 25, 2026 . . . . . . . . . . 
HELP@kingsnake.com for support
kingsnake.com Updates links

RE: Can Diamondback terrapins be kept in fresh Water?

[ Login ] [ User Prefs ] [ Search Forums ] [ Back to Main Page ] [ Back to Turtles - General ]

Posted by: honuman at Thu Aug 18 16:22:19 2005   [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by honuman ]  
   

Agreed. I have worked extensively with rehabbing DBT's. Most all of the specimens I have are Chinatown meat market animals. By the time I get them they are in pretty sorry shape. (dinged, bashed up and bruised with various fungal and bacterial skin conditions, shellrot and in some cases SCUD.)



With time, all of them make remarkable recoveries and ALL are acclimated to a freshwater existence.



Water conditions are more important than salinity once an animal is acclimated to fresh water. They are more likely to develop shellrot and skin problems in water that is not well cycled and kept clean.



I do use Aquarium salt (for freshwater tanks) in the amount of 1 tablespoon per 5 gallons. (I do this for ALL my turtles though) Also when rehabbing them I have found that alot of their problems do heal a bit faster with a 45 minute bath in water with a bit higher salinity than that. (2 level tablespoons in 3 gallons of water for a period 45 minutes). This is by no means recommended as a sole treament for their skin or shell problems but it does help as part of an overall program.



Actually -- I just went down to Chinatown yesterday and found a completely melanistic male DBT. What a pretty little guy (virtually 100% jet black from head to toe). He is pretty banged up, malnourished and dehydrated. Lots of fungal patches too and a bitten tail. Believe it or not I have seen worse.



Lastly -- YES I agree 100% about the diet. It seems that once you get them used to feeding off the surface though they are a bit more receptive to eating prepared foods (reptomin). I just got one to do this after a year of trying. She started to pick at some gammarus then I just kind of slipped the reptomin in while she was sucking down the dried shrimp BINGO -- now she will even eat trout chow off the surface.



Steve

   

[ Hide Replies ]


>> Next topic:  looking for... - vinnieknish, Sun Aug 14 22:49:05 2005
<< Previous topic:  fluval filters - vinnieknish, Sun Aug 14 14:26:53 2005

Click to visit Classifieds Click to visit Sierra Fish and Pets Click to visit Spitfire Reptiles
KINGSNAKE.COM

Enjoy all our content free of charge with a user account that gives you full access to every feature. For added visibility, paid options are available - post in our Classifieds, showcase your business with Banner Ads or a Directory listing, promote reptile events, and more.

Quick Links
Community
Legal & Safety
Support
Register for free ✓ Sign up!
Kingsnake.com ® is a registered trademark © 1997-