New additions to the pond
Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2018 10:09 pmWe have had RES for 10 years. We have an outdoor pond which my husband keeps very well maintained. We decided early on to let nature take its course in our pond so we've had fish come and go, and a few turtles come and go. We have three egg-laying females (it was a fun summer) and just were given 3 more to rehome. These girls were kept in an aquarium with no chance to bask. When I saw them, I boldly asked to adopt them and the owner said yes. After some time to acclimate, I put them on the basking platform in the pond. They soon slid in, and the fun began. The biggest one was bound and determined to catch a fish, but the fish were too fast. I think she wore herself out! One of the smaller ones struggled to get to the surface to breathe I don't think she could tell how far down she was. Our pond is about 4 feet deep. She was clawing at the side of the pond and then went still and drifted on her back! I got her out with the net and she opened her eyes. She is fine. I put her on the platform again and she slid in. She figured out how to come up for air. I noticed today that these girls swim differently, not as gracefully, and my original three. I wonder if being in a small enclosure for who knows how long stunted their muscle development. Another problem is that one of my original girls in nipping at all the others, including "Mama" my oldest. Hopefully that bad behavior goes away and they can enjoy the cooling weather before its time to go to sleep.