Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello,

I had a res many years ago and I had him in my preschool class. I was off work for a bit and the person who was suposed to take care of it didn't and well you know what happened from there.

I just got another from someone who is moving faraway and didn't want to move it. I am reading a lot and learning that there is much more to this than I knew. I just had the basics. However, some of the information differs from site to site and book to book. I know about basking and lighting and such...So here are the areas I am needing help...

Habitat..

I have read that you should not use small gravel due to turtles eating it. I have also read that you should use sand at the bottom but then other books say you should never use sand. So can someone tell me what is best.. I really want this little one to live a long and happy life.

I also wanted to know about other fish in the same habitat... I put feeder fish in there for him but wanted to know if you could put like a placostamas (sp?) or anything else. I have heard that you need to be very careful in putting live plants in the tank but also read that it can be a good thing.

Feeding...

Okay I do feed live feeder fish and use cuttle bone and have some turtle food here which I have never used before. (Like I said I just got him yesterday)

One of the articles I read said fresh fruit and veges some said feed spinach and collard greens and others say no that it can cause digestive complications. Some say use vitamin supplements others say it is not necessary. Some say feed crickets and earth worms others say only fish. Some say feed raw meat but never ground beef.

Some say feed in a different tank then they live others say you just have to clean the tank more often. When feeding fresh veges and fruit do you do that on dry land or in water?

Boy I thought I new what I was doing here but am more confused now than when I started.

Like I said I really want to do the right thing with this little creature and would love any help you can give.

Thanks

Anything you feed should be in the water, not dry land.

Feeder fish aren't the greatest thing to feed, they can carry parasites and are fatty.

The best thing is variety, earthwworms and crickets are fine, turtle food is fine, and leafy veggies and greens should be offered daily. Spinach is not a good choice because it prevents the absorbtion of calcium. Also avoid iceburg lettuce, it is mostly just water.

Feeding in another tank is a good idea, although I prefer to not handle my turtles, so I just have a good filter.

The very best substrate is none at all, although I like using large river rocks and pieces of slate. My turtles like to push stuff around and I like how it looks.

The main problem most newbies encounter is they overfeed their turtles. Turtles will eat as much as you give them, it doesn't mean they are hungry. You can feed your turtle daily if he is under 2 inches, but not more than would fit in his head. If he is growing too fast cut back to every other day. My guys are adults and they get protein about once a week, but veggies daily.
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A mans got to do what a mans got to do. A woman has to do what he can't.

Mom to:

1 little boy born 7/19/04
2 male RES, born 2001
1 ribbon snake, age unknown
3 FBT, ages unknown
1 female bearded dragon, born 5/2002
1 male lab mix, born 5/24/03
1 female calico cat, born 6/7/04