Hi,

Doesn't sound like you really have much of a problem. If they are eating regularly, have proper shell growth and are active They're good to go. Try feeding freshly killed guppies if you are really worried about calcium. I've kept and bred a large variety of species over the years and as long as the heat requirements were correct allowing them to properly utilize what was fed them, I had no problems. Just make sure the surface basking temps are really what you think they are. Best way to do that is to get yourself a temp gun. With the vaste majority of young turtles I've kept, I've found that vegetable matter was only taken on a regular basis as they attained adult size. I usually keep a covering of duckweed or salvinia in my hatchlings tanks, more to provide cover and security than any other reason, but I do find them nibbling on it once in a while.

The only thing I'd really rethink is your plan to release them into the wild in the spring. As a general rule it's not a good idea as deseases picked up in captivity can spread to will populations.

Best of luck

[ Reply To This Message ] [ Subscribe to this Thread ] [ Hide Replies ]