Reptile & Amphibian Forums

This is a new photo of the same cruentatum pictured back in June. The entire head is bright orange.
Who said mud turtles are ugly?

Although the plastron is not as stunning, the head is MORE colorful.

.

Didn't translate well to Ksnake. My original of this is very clear and sharp.

Looking good! Anything extra or special as far as diet, or just an exceptionally colored red cheek?

Later,
Jay

This is an exceptionally colored specimen and it has also been fed a lot of krill, shrimp and clams. I really believe the krill and other crustaceans in the diet can bring out naturally occuring reds just like with tropical fish.

at the pet store? I will have to get some and try that on my 3 red cheeks. Mine are slamming small snails, pellets, night crawlers and feeder gups.

Thanks,
Jay

I get the krill and shrimp and other high quality foods at an aquarium store. There are several brands that come in frozen cube form. I have also used the blood worms and daphnia for small hatchlings with great success.
But I would keep feeding what you are now too. Those are good items that will produce healthy mud turtles.
Lets see your redcheeks.......

Oh NICE! Where is the turtle, or it's parents, from? That is, from where in Central America?
Thanks!

The parents of these cruentatum are from Guatemala I was told.
I have had them from Costa Rica too and they were more red headed than these.