Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi I have been assisting in a preschool for a few weeks now and one of the parents gave the classroom a turtle. I think it is a red eared slider but I know nothing about turtles. Neither does anyone in the classroom. It was assumed by everyone that I would take care of this poor creature because I was already caring for the fish. They also have a texas chiclid and two pleco in a 35 gallon tank separate from the turtle. I am not very happy about their lack of responsibility. They have been feeding the turtle wardley's pellets and overloaded the feeding on friday to "get him through the weekend". I told them they were being cruel leaving it on it's own all weekend but they have refused to give up the turtle to a better home. What can I do to help it have a better life?

Hiya,

As far as I know feeding every other day is a very healthy thing. You don't want to overfeed these guys. So I wouldn't think weekends without feeding would be devistating but wait for someone else here to verify that.

Most classroom animals are gonna be neglected I would think because the kids take up all the attention. Luckily for them (four legged creatures) they have you If you want you can stick plant matter in there for over the weekend. Water hyacinth, water lettuce, and anacharis are supposed to be good according to an earlier post.

You're an angel for taking care of the forgotten classmates. Good luck!!

Thankyou I will try to get some plants for him. How should I keep the plants? Do I need a seperate tank for them? I have never done live aquatic plants before, chiclids always like to uproot everything and all. =)

First of all before anything PLEASE make sure that there is a lid on the tank to prevent the pre-schoolers from handling the turtle. You don't want anyone handling it without washing their hands immediately after. Best to let the kids know that the turtle is a - to look at animal - like the fish. Hands off policy is the best way to go. You never want the risk of anyone of them getting Salmonella. The turtle could be just fine but you can't take the risk with such young kids sooo HANDS OFF! and it can be a fascinating creature to observe and feed and just enjoy like the fish.

How big is this turtle? Have to know what size enclosure etc. to tell you set up for him.

I have already established the no touching rule because I did know about samonella. It is housed in a 55 gallon tank with.... (how do I explain this?)it's a plastic light cover for florecent lighting like in buildings. The kind with little square holes in it about 1/4 inch for a tank cover. There are 3 large rocks, a gravely spot, and a large piece of bark where it can get out of the water to dry off. They bought a small pump and air stone but have yet to use it. The light it recieves is from the lights in the room(no specific tank lighting). That's about it for living quarters. I was told the parents had this turtle for about four years before giving it to the school. It is about fist sized and has a very dark shell on top with cream and pinkish markings underneath. It has red marks on either side of it's head. Does that help? Thanks for your quick response. =)

The tank sounds okay for a turtle this size. You have an area for it to climb out and bask. You will need to get him a basking light. They have Mercury vapor lights which provide heat and UVB all in one for the basking area. What is the room temperature? Just curious because if it is warm enough you will not need a heater. Pink and cream colored on the bottom of the shell? Never saw a slider with those colors. Does it have black spots of some sort on the bottom of the shell?

Anyway the only other thing you will need for the moment beside the basking light and ceramic fixture for it is a filter. Otherwise you will be doing full water changes several times a week.

There are many options but a good canister filter is recommended. The easiest one that I have had experience working with is the Filstar. Go to thatpetplace.com and check them out there in the fish section. You can probably get the bulb in the reptile section there as well.

To help with reduction of waist material in the tank get a separate rubbermaid container or large enough for the turtle to move about in and fill it with water. Place the turtle in and allow him to feed there. He will make his food mess and alot of of his bowel movement in that small tub. Then you just place him back in his tank.

Hope this helps. It will cost a little money to finish this set up for the turtle but you already have alot of the things you will need.

Steve