Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi all,
I had a few questions about a turtle I purchased at a trade show that was referred to as a Giant Asian Leaf Turtle (hardly a good trade name because a lot of turtles seem to be described as such), anyway I have Identified it as a Heosemys Grandis - known as a Giant Pond Turtle. The man who sold him to me told me that he would attain 22 inches (and that is fine because his adult cage will be nothing short of huge). He's probably wild caught and that bums me out, but maybe not.

First have I made the correct identification? Hopefully my pictures will help.

So basically he resembles an American Map Turtle like the ones in the Ozarks where I live in shell design and color, but with a more terrapin-like head that resembles a tortoise. Also this hatchling is very young and a map turtle this size would be like a year old in my opinion. So far I'm keeping him in a temporary ten gallon with a nice substrate and an easy to clean lagoon (i've noticed that eating in this lagoon is choice in his opinion) but I would like to know more about "him" to design a more appropriate enclosure that is still temporary.

He is eating. That's for sure. I've found a list that is specific for his species but it is limited. He likes lettuce, cherry tomato (no seed stuff, heard it might not be good), apples and zoomed aquatic turlte food pellets that are dropped into his pond.
My question about his diet is does this turtle eat grass as a tortoise would? I grow (by coincidence from another hobby) wheatgrass in an indoor pot and I gave him a small piece - he loved the very idea of it. Can I feed him this regularly or as a substitute for lettuce? How about cucumber? I just kind of like cucumber so that would be nice! I'll try collards with him soon. what kind of meat should I try? calcium suplement or cuttlebone?

My last question is about lighting, I've already noticed him basking in the sun and he has a 60w bulb (I figure Asia isn't too incredibly hot all the time) in a basking light. does he need anything else? and should he bask on land or in water? I am a saltwater hobbyist normally and I tend to care too much about lighting, but I've kept enough reptiles to know that some should really have some artificial UV.... turtles too?

Sorry if this is a lot, actually it's a ton, but any input would be totally appreciated!

Here he is, the cardboard thing will be replaced soon but I think it's adequate

Hey there,

It looks like you identified him correctly, although I am not 100% sure. It is defintely some kind of Asian Leaf or Pond turtle. They just all look so similiar when they are young like that. If he is the "Grandis" he definitely is going to get big!

Either way, thier care is pretty much the same. Thier enclosures should consist of about 50/50 land and water. So, judging from the pics, I would add a larger water area with the depth just deep enough so he can rest on the bottom but still breathe. Also, I would up the temps. The water should be about 74-78 degrees. Then, on the land portion I would provide a basking area that is anywhere from 80-90 degrees. Concerning your question about lighting, I would suggest adding a UVB flourecent light like the Zoomed Repti-Sun 5.0 or 10.0. Turtles need UVB for vitamin D purposes.

It sounds like it is eating well. They are omnivores, so they eat both plant and protien matter. I would stick to what it likes. A few other things you may try are more greens like Romaine Lettuce, and pretty much any kind of fruits and veggies. It will just be a matter of trial and error to see what it prefers. Also, you can try crickets, fish, mealworms, and the turtle pellets you had been feeding him are fine.

Hope this helps!
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I am currently in the US Navy, so unfortunetly I have sold off my collection of herps. But over the years have kept many different species of turtles, geckos, lizards, amphibs, and even fish. Looking forward to getting back in the hobby once im out though!

Thanks for the reply !
I was expecting him to grow fast as a young turtle so this aquarium is definitely temporary ( as in a week or two) I was hoping to feed him in this bowl and let him swim in a heated container when I'm home. I only have glass aquarium heaters (submersible ones) on hand, will he try to stand on it and be burned? Is 78 ok? I want him to be as warm as he needs.

His lighting is just a 60w bulb so I'll have to pick up a thermometer, it really doesn't seem like 90F but it does seem warm. I also have a few flourescent strips on hand and am familiar with UVB, would higher rating be better? 10.0 as opposed to 5.0?

He really seems to like to be "dry" a lot, I've made a humidity box to see if he would like it but he just lays on the fir chips with his legs popped out in a basking pose, is this because I'm not providing ample swimming room? In other words, I would like to design his next enclosure correctly, with plenty of growing space for about 2-4 years. 50/50 is just a little vague

A submersible heater is all I have ever used. He might be staying on land more beacuse the water is to cold. 78 degrees sounds good, is that what it is now?

The more UVB the better, so yes, the 10.0 would be best. When setting up the enclosure, it should consist of about half land, half water. The water should be just deep enough for him to sit on the bottom and still beable to reach the surface and breathe. The land area can be setup similiar to what you have now, just be sure to provide a basking area aorund 80-90 degrees.
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I am currently in the US Navy, so unfortunetly I have sold off my collection of herps. But over the years have kept many different species of turtles, geckos, lizards, amphibs, and even fish. Looking forward to getting back in the hobby once im out though!

Sifu is doing very well, he has lived in this tank for a while now, and he was originally shy but now he is active and very inquisitive. Seems to be enjoying life. Hard to tell by the pic but he is in a 30g turtle tank with filtration, and then I made a right angle on the corner of the land side which has a 80gph fountain pump that goes to the water side! It is excellent filtration to say the least.

I'm enjoying him as much as my full reef, and my anemones are propagating!
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Oops, forgot a pic!
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eh Kingsnake (should buy server space)

Ok, heres pics sorry