Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,I have a question for all you experts!

I have what I think is a common map turtle that I permanently inherited from a sibling who went away to school. I've had her for the past 12 years and I think she is around 14 years old and I am only guessing based on vent placement that she is female. She's very healthy and has a nice 55 gallon tank with a platform and a fluval 204 filter that I bought 3 months ago.

In the last 3-4 weeks she has been basking much more often (normally she prefers the bottom of the tank) and has been consistently croaking - actually very loudly and she looks much bigger - her hands and feet look like the flippers are HUGE.

Do you guys know what the noises mean? Nothing else has changed in her environment other than the fluval filter. When I come and stand at the tank she stares at me. She almost looks depressed. That's crazy, right?

Thanks.

You mean croaking like a frog croaks? Does she hold her head straight up a lot? Any gaping with her mouth?
Is her water heated? What's the temperature of it? If it's too cool or too warm she won't want to be in it.
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PHRatz

Thanks for replying.

The croaking is like a frog croaks, maybe shorter, deeper sound, and less pleasant on the ears.

Her water is heated, the heater is functioning and the temperature is around 75-80 degrees; that's measured by one of those black sticker thermometers on the outside of the tank. I've kept that temp for the past many years. Now that you have brought it up, I will recheck it a different way.

She doesn't gape the mouth that I've seen, and she extends her head when assuming the typical sunning posture - you know, with the legs lifted and drying.

The only other different thing is like I said she seems depressed. Before when I approached the tank she would go nuts with the diving off the platform and splashing in the water - expecting a feeding. Now, she just stares deep into my eyes, stays on the platform, and touches her forehead to the glass if I put a finger there. She does track with her eyes and her eyes are clear. She still eats well.

I read that in sea turtles noise can mean mating time, but that was males. I don't know if the noise means anything, but it's a change after 12 years and that makes me think twice.

Thanks.

When you say her hands and feet are huge, do you mean swollen? Is her shell out of proportion to the rest of her body? If it were me, I'd take her to a vet for a checkup. Any radical change in behaviour after 12 years isn't a good sign.

>> If it were me, I'd take her to a vet for a checkup. Any radical change in behaviour after 12 years isn't a good sign.

I have to say ditto on that statement.
Any change in behavior is a huge red flag & worth that trip to the vet.
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PHRatz

Yes, a trip to the vet is in order. I'd get blood word done, at least for a white blood cell count.

Katrina
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1.2 Eastern Muds - Fred, Ethel, Edith
0.1 Iguana - Tiffel
0.1 Bearded Dragon - Foster
Foster turtles: More than I'd like the husband to know about.