Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello, I frequent the forum but haven't posted before. Am I correct that you live in Albuquerque? We are neighbors if so. I just started getting into the joys of turtling, and am learning a lot as I go. This is my first time having my turtles hibernate outside. (I made them an outside enclosure last summer.) I tried to prepare the best I could...but am really anxious for them to come up. I am crossing my fingers that they do. Anyhow, could you post when yours come up. This New Mexican weather is something else! I read that one of yours came up for a bit of fresh air in JANUARY! I've been checking and no sign so far. Thanks and hope to hear from you!
-Monika

>>Hello, I frequent the forum but haven't posted before. Am I correct that you live in Albuquerque? We are neighbors if so. I just started getting into the joys of turtling, and am learning a lot as I go. This is my first time having my turtles hibernate outside. (I made them an outside enclosure last summer.) I tried to prepare the best I could...but am really anxious for them to come up. I am crossing my fingers that they do. Anyhow, could you post when yours come up. This New Mexican weather is something else! I read that one of yours came up for a bit of fresh air in JANUARY! I've been checking and no sign so far. Thanks and hope to hear from you!
>>-Monika

There are few of us here that are from NM. Yes I live in Albuquerque. I knew right away you were from here cause you spelled Albuquerque right.

Anyway mine usually don't start coming out until mid to late April. The one that came up in January popped up again in Febuary. I think he/she has cabin fever.

I will post when mine come up. What kind of turtles do you have?
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Vichris
"The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane"- Marcus Aurelius

Thanks for the reply. I believe I have three Ornate boxies. It all started when I took in my first from a student that lost interest. (I'm a teacher.) I don't think he had the best start in life and wasn't cared for properly. He is very...we'll use the word - "mishapened." He's young, but I just have a feeling he's a male. He is very feisty and full of spunk! My kids named him Sparky One! Then I acquired two others by chance. An elderly woman passed away and the realtors had the landscapers remove all of the turtles in her backyard...sad, but I took in two because 1. I got hooked with the first and 2. It scares me to think they may end up in the wrong hands and not get cared for properly. Well, one I believe is an adult female and very mellow and the other is young - maybe a year? I thought all three could live harmoniously, but I was wrong. I had to separate Sparky 1 from the other two...his was very aggressive to them. Anyhow, sorry for rambling. Are yours Ornates also? I posted them on another forum and it seemed to be that the consensus was that they were Ornates. How many do you have?

I have 9 of them. I have 2 adult males that sometimes get feisty with one another but mostly they ignore each other. I have two young ones that are almost two years old now and the other five are females. Most of those are sub-adults.

Yes, all of mine are ornates.

As far as your aggressive one I would let him have as much exposure to the others so that he gets used to being around other turtles. I have had males (and females) that get aggressive also, but turtles are very good at handling that kind of behavior. They will simply close up shop and withdrawl into their shells. The aggressive ones will learn soon enough its a waste of time and energy. In less than one week most if not all of that behavior will go away. Before long they will all be one happy family.
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Vichris
"The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane"- Marcus Aurelius