Hi! Introduce yourselves here. :: Hello- Newbie here, I have a 2.5 legged slider-happy Stinky

[tosweetsunshine]

Hello, I have a cute litte boy turtle, Stinky. We rescued him from the trash. He has one front leg, and one full back leg, and a partial second back leg. Dispite his handicap, he is so fun and friendly. I am hear to learn and help him grow big and strong. Any input is greatly appreciated.

[SpotsMama]

Greetings! What a sad story - but how uplifting that you rescued the little guy. How old is he? Do you know anything about his life before you rescued him?

[tosweetsunshine]

when we got him, he was about 2 inches round. Very lathargic, living with a lizard; which we have as well. They were living at my daughter's work, a children's gym, on display. Not to mention the two Madagasgar hissing roaches, which we took in too. Stinky was rotting basically, not eating, and sick. I got him all set up, light, tank and lots of love. He struggled for a long time since he only has one front leg, but he gets around a lot better. Climbing is tough, but he does it. Swimming is eratic, but he can swim fast. His front leg rotted off, he had it when we got him, but he could not use it. I was hoping once I got the light he would recover. I had no idea what I was doing, and could not afford a vet, but he looks so healthy now, bright, happy, but he does beg for food. That was my purpose for checking out this sight. Feeding and housing quesitons.

[tosweetsunshine]

Stinky is nearly 4 inches round now, going on a year since we got him.

[SpotsMama]

That's just an amazing story! It's so loving of you to have cared for him and brought him so far! What a lucky little turtle he is.

I'm pretty new at this myself but the people on here have been wonderfully helpful. Lot's of people have questions about diet and how much to feed the turtles. They are notorius beggers. Do some searches in the Feeding and Nuitrition forum on begging and you'll see how common it is and what you can do in response to it.

[tosweetsunshine]

I love feeding him, he loves to get my attention and is so happy when he gets his shrimp. I will check out the other areas, thanks. I am just realizing he NEEDS a heater. He has made it this far with no heater!

[SpotsMama]

Yeah, they love their shrimp, don't they.

[cam722]

becareful with feeding him too much protein.. It can cause a lot of problems. Have you ever fed him pellets or does he only get shrimp? Any veggies ??

[tosweetsunshine]

I feed him the pellets first, the baby ones, he will not eat the regular ones. He then gets the shrimp. The dried treat shrimp is is favorite. He will eat about 10 pellets. I feed him 3 times a day, and always have. So I am sure I am over feeding him big time. No veggies yet, just the few fish I have dropped in there. He catches a few and loves them. He coudn't catch the cricket, I put lives ones in. How dumb am I? ha ha. HE does not like soft food. I will try the veggies tomorrow, see what he things. I have put fruit in, no go.

[missibsu]

Welcome to the forum. I'd love to see some pictures.

[CountryGirl68]

Welcome!!