Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Last year I was deployed to Slidell following Katrina. A family who lost their home asked me to take their pet mud turtle back to Pennsylvania with me until they relocated. I brought the turtle home and have done everything to make him as comfortable as possible.

The problem I have is that in a year, I have never seen him eat. He has not lost weight or gained weight. I kept him indoors all winter and put him in an outdoors shallow pond for several hours each day during the spring and summer.

Three weeks ago I found him on his back with his head and legs completely limp and extended. I tried to revive him for thirty minutes with no success. I put him in a box to bury when I got home after work. When I got home he was moving. I placed him on a heating pad for the next few days and he seems to have fully recovered.

He has been to a vet, given a treatment for parasites, and been determined to be in good health. The doctor said he must have been eating since he didn't lose any weight throughout the year but I have NEVER seen him eat a thing. (I don't know if she really knew what to look for with a turtle.) I think his shell looks drier than when I brought him here. Almost like a thin translucent veneer that is ready to peel. Is this something I should treat?

I was directed to this forum through google groups. I am hoping someone can help me. I am beginning to feel guilty that this turtle is in captivity and in such a foreign environment.

Can anyone explain to me what happened when I found my turtle on his back and what I thought was dead? Also should I be concerned that I have never seen him eat? I was providing him with tadpoles throughout the summer and goldfish last winter but is this enough nutrition? He won't even look at the turtle sticks.

I would appreciate your help. I am desperate. The family who sent him with me has never been in contact since I left. Should I take him back to Louisiana?

Also can anyone verify from the pictures what type of turtle this is from these pictures?

http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/0/1/9/6/4/8/webimg/20887571_o.jpg
http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/0/1/9/6/4/8/webimg/20887580_o.jpg
http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/0/1/9/6/4/8/webimg/20887597_o.jpg
http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/0/1/9/6/4/8/webimg/20887589_o.jpg
http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/0/1/9/6/4/8/webimg/20887625_o.jpg

Thank you for your help.

Karen

God Bless and Keep Safe,
Karen

Sorry about the worries....
When you found him on his back and 'dead' was he in the water? How deep is the water and can he (or she) easily climb out of it?
This is a mud turtle and probably a Mississippi mud. It should spend most of the time in the water. But the water MUST be shallow. I agree with the vet that it probably has eaten something. Try bits of cooked shrimp next time you have it or well cooked chicken. Put it in the water in front of it and see what happens.
The flaking you mentioned is common when their shells becomes dry.

The water is about six inches deep with inclines to basking areas. I found the turtle under the water on his back. Is there anything I should do to help his shell? Perhaps an oil or something? I really appreciate your quick reply. I've become very attached to this turtle which surprises me. I didn't really want to keep him but now I don't want to give him up.

Sounds like a near drowning but I can't figure why.
The minor flaking of the carapace of the eastern mud turtle group is typical and natural on wild caught adults. It should only be really apparent when the shell is completely dry.
Do NOT oil it.

Yes, it is only apparent when the shell is dry. I truly appreciate the replies. Thank you all very much. Karen