Habitat - Outdoor :: RES new to outdoors

[reptilegrrl]

I rescued my RES, Al, in October of 2000. Back then he was just a tiny hatchling, a little bigger than a quarter. Now he's about 6-7 inches long, mature, and of course, cute. He's very friendly and likes attention.

When I first got him I kept him in a ten-gallon tank, then moved him into a 20-gallon long, but in 2002 he moved into a rubbermaid tub. It's been the best hab for him. It's large and deep enough for him, but I will trade up for a larger one soon and eventually build a pond, when we own a house. Originally, I had gravel piled in one side for a haul-out, but that was troublesome and when the Turtle Docks were introduced I bought one. He loves it. He spends a lot more time on it than he did on the gravel, and seems to find it more comfortable.

Al adapted pretty well to being outside. He first went out in September. At first he found it kind of scary; he became skittish. But he's much more comfortable now. Originally he was in a corner of the yard that was almost fully shaded, so he wouldn't get too hot in our 90' late summer. Now that things have cooled he is in almost full sun right outside the back door. He loves being right next to the door, because it means he gets more attention. It's handy that I can move his tub to compensate for the changing weather. I did that with my box turtle hab, too.

After talking with my vet about options, I decided not to hibernate Al this winter. Instead, I have built a mini-greenhouse using greenhouse plastic and wire fencing. Of course, as soon as I got it built, the weather warmed up again, but next week the days will be cool again. This week I am keeping it open during the days, when the temps are in the 70s, and closing it at night when the temps get into the 40s (my vet wants the turtles inside when the temps get below 50 at night.) At night, with outdoor temps in the 40s, the water heater keeps the inside of the greenhouse in the high 50s, and his water is kept at 75'. Condensation forms on the inside of the plastic, but in the morning I tap the plastic with my fingers and most of the water falls back down into the tub.

Next week when things get cold again I will see how warm it gets in the greenhouse compared to the outdoors. Last week I had it built but did not put Al in it, because we were going out of town and I wasn't sure how hot it would get. When we got home, though, it was about 80' outside and almost 100' inside the greenhouse. So I am suspecting that if things stay in the 50s outside, I can expect temps in the 70s inside, which would be okay.

For filtration and heat I use a Hydor Ekip 350 thermofilter. I have used this type of filter since 2002. The Ekip combines a heater and filter in one, and the heater is not accessable by the turtles, so no burns. The Ekip has its issues, it's not perfect, but as far as turtles go it's about as good as they get.

This spring I want to upgrade his tub to a 46-gallon Xmas tree storage box. He won't have all 46 gallons of water, but he'll have a lot, and I think he'll like the extra space. I am also planning additional filtration, based on the skippy but modified to work better in this type of habitat.

I love my turtle, and am an experienced keeper, but keeping him outdoors is new to me so I am learning new things and figuring things out as I go along.

Well, that's the current info. If you have any questions just ask.

- Priscilla

[Turtle Mom]

Certainly sounds like you are experienced. My daughter has two RES that we currently keep inside. They are a little over a year old. I was thinking about putting them in my approx. 1600 gallon backyard pond this spring. Last year, around late spring, there was a water snake in my pond that ate one of my large goldfish that I had for 5 years. I was so heartbroken. What I am wondering is if any more snakes decide to come, will they hurt the turtles? Also, will the turtles eat the big goldfish? It just may be better to just keep the inside and maybe put their tub in the shade for the summer. What do you think I should do? Your post is very interesting.

[reptilegrrl]

Snakes do not eat turtles, so that should not be a worry. They might bite a turtle out of fear if the turtle startles them, though, and if a snake is venomous, like a cottonmouth, you could lose your turtles. Very importantly, interacting with the turtles could be dangerous to you if there is a water snake out there. So be careful and alert when you approach/work with the pond.

Predatory birds and raccoons are also dangerous to such small turtles- they can and will catch and eat your turtles! With all this in mind, I would not put them outside until they are significantly older and larger. You could put their tub outside under supervision during the day, as you mention.

They will probably bite your fish and when the turtles get larger they can kill and eat a goldfish. I have seen RESs nibble on the tails of baby caymans. They are pretty food-aggressive- if it moves and smells like food they want to bite it!

Good luck with them And I envy you the pond!

[Turtle Mom]

Thank you so much for your reply and the information. I have only had my pond since last March. The snake episode nearly did me in. It was a Yellow Belly Water Snake. He would hide in the water fall during the day and "fish" all night, I guess. Last Saturday I went out to look at the pond and half of the water was gone. The wind had shifted rocks and the hose (my guess) and the water was all running out. So, it has not been all fun. But I do love it and plan on some changes this spring. We are going to put out Snake Away and hope it works!! How often do you feed your RES? I appreciate your advice so very much!! My daughter did no research before she bought them last year.

Our turtle's names are Squirt and Flip.

Ellen

[reptilegrrl]

Don't put out Snake Away! That stuff could kill your turtles. It is highly toxic. Snake Away is made of naphthalene, which is a carcinogen and neurotoxin; it also destroys red blood cells. It also causes cataracts.

Also, it does not repel cottonmouths, which are the venomous water snakes you really have to worry about.

Please, please, please, do not put that stuff in your yard! Every animal in your yard will be threatened, including yourself.

[reptilegrrl]

Oh, and I fed my RES about every other day when he was the age of yours... now I feed him every 2-3 days.

[Turtle Mom]

Oh, I didn't know that about Snake Away. It was recommended to my husband at the store. We weren't going to put it right by the pond. But I will tell my husband what you said and we won't put it down. I love my critters too much to cause them harm. As far as feeding the RES, every time I walk by them, they stare at me and they look hungry, so they eat a couple times A DAY!!! So, I guess that is not a good thing either????? Then my daughter was right when she says I feed them too much. Don't worry about the Snake Away. We won't use it!!! Thank you for your help!
Ellen