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Chomper likes to chomp on everything just wondering how i get him to stop trying to chomp on the rubber for my heater and i usually keep the temp at 80 is that okay he's about 7 or 8 inches and if you are looking at this anyways is it okay to scrub down his shell every so often??

80 encourages shedding,and other problems only have it that high when your turt is sick 75 is what most people are at.

That's a bit warm for a guy that big....I'd sloooowly bring it down to 75-76F. As far as his chomping, I'd wedge a large piece of cuttlebone somewhere nearby, he may then lose his "fascination" with the heater.

so what's cuttlebone and where do i get it?? what does it look like??

Cuttlebone is the spine of the cuttlefish/squid. You can find it at the pet store in the bird section.

It's a great source for calcium, and helps keep his beak sharp. VERY IMPORTANT!!! Remove the hard backing with a butterknife or similar tool before putting it in the tank.

As far as "scrubbing" his shell, you can take an old toothbrush and try rubbing his shell with it, some turtles love it, (they do this silly dance, hard to describe but very funny) and some don't.

There are heater guards that can be purchased to protect your heater. I don't know much about them, but I know that have been used successfully.

When it comes to rubbing down the shell, be careful. If your turt happens to be a not like it kind of turtle, he could try to bite. I'm sure you don't want that. Especially with a name like chomper!

What do you mean by rubber for your heater, the suction cups?

If his shell gets a slimy feel to it, you can wipe him down with an old soft towel (used just for this purpose).

thanks guys used the towel and the brush, the rubber part on the bottom of the heater. i swear he starts to do it when he want's me to wake up in the morning lol. just to make noise
the tail cones straight out and is the same color as his striped yellow part of his face.

matt

Dont brush him to hard though. There shells can be sensitive.

I've seen custom heater guards made with PVC pipe and holes drilled in.