Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Just got a little turtle for my daughter. I have never seen such a small little turtle.I wanted to get some tips from anyone who can tell me how to really keep him[ or her]
healthy and happy. I really can't tell if he is eating or not. We have had him/her since last Saturday. He likes hiding under the leafs and loves being out in the sun. I have the pellets and some dried shrimp. Any other things I should be doing?

Thanks

Sounds cute! I have a stinkpot that's around 5 years old. They stay small, the shell on mine is only about 3 inches from top to bottom. Just give him a place to hide (those fake half logs are perfect) and a place to get out of the water (I laid a piece of driftwood with a couple of small rocks up against the fake log) and give him a warm light on the basking side to hang out. Mine stays out of the water sometimes all night, although I turn the light off around 10pm. I use different kinds of foods, mine isn't thrilled with the reptomin either, but he'll eat a few, he especially likes the canned crickets, shrimp, mealworms, etc. you can find in the pet stores. Just get the very small sizes. I have mine in a 20 long tank, they don't need more than 3 or 4 inches of water. Good luck! It will be fun for you.

My partner & I have more stinkpots then we can count on our hands or at least 16. They are easy turtles. keep hatchlings in shallow water. Adults can swim but still make sure they have enough climb out places. Babies should be kept in shallow containers. adults may need a 20 gal. tank. The only get about 4-5 inches so stay small. They are very good climbers. I had a babies fall down a sink drain & climb back to the drain mouth in the 15 minutes it took for me to get the S trap pipe off trying to get it out. They are very alert turtles. My friend/partner bred them (how we can so many). They are inqusitive too. they will eat just about anything. I give hatchlings turtle pellets mainly with blood worms,brine shrimp(live & frozen) as treats. Adults get pellets fish & raw meat scraps as treats.