Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My wife has had a red eared slider and a mississippi map turtle together for well over a year. She got them at the same time at a reptile show and they were both about the size of a quarter.

They were being kept in a 29 gallon aquarium but were recently moved into a six foot long tub with some land on one side and probably 70 gallons of water. We use an UVA/B light for about ten-twelve hours a day. The water is filtered (I can't think of the name of the filter but it's oversized). They also have a 300W heater and a infared heat bulb. I can't think of anything else relevant about the set up.

The Slider has probably quadrupled in size in the last year and the map really hasn't noticeably grown much. I realize that sliders are just bigger turtles but they're definitely mismatched sizewise now.

The main concern is the map seems to have a wound on it's neck which I can only assume is a bite. And the bottom of the Map's shell has sections that sort of look like pictures I've seen of "soft shell" but the shell is actually pretty hard. So I'm worried it's something else.

If anyone has any experience with map turtle health, any help is appreciated. I could probably e-mail pictures to someone if that would help.

Kevin

Please refer to the thread just below and read my reply "Diagnosis" under "Sick Cooter" RE neck bites. RES grow rapidly and the males begin courting anything that moves, RES or not, with classic neck biting. In the wild, the victim can escape and heal after courtship, but in captivity, there is no escape. If I were you, I would partition my tank temporarily and follow my suggestions below until the map heals. It may be a continuing problem, however. The growth of juveniles is never entirely predictable, even with clutch mates kept under identical conditions. If the plastron is firm with no reddish tinge or erosion, you may be witnessing the normal sheding of scutes, which is sometimes more difficult and delayed under captive conditions. If there is a real problem, post again.

You wont believe this, but I have the exact same turtles in my tank,...AND....I had them in a 29 gallon with fire bellied toads, and the river bed filter set up for a couple months, but they outgrew it FAST. They are big now, and in my 75 gallon. They seem to like it.