redearslider.com

I just got the blueprints for the future pond straight. It's a kidney-shaped thing 2 feet deep at the most. I plan to put a sand pit at the corner for the turts to lay eggs- if I have a female in my hands. Is this recommended? I guess RES are no different than sea turtles.

I'd say it sounds good, but it's hard to know without actually seeing it. I'm a visual learner. As long as you have the correct amount of water and a place to bask with the necessary nesting site. I'd make some sort of barrier if possible to keep as much of the sand out of the pond as possible. Could be rough on the filter.

How are you going to keep preditors out?

The sand pit will be a good two feet from the pond, since the whole habitat will have landscape within it. I plan to get a 3 foot fence up around the habitat, probably out of wood. I don't think of putting an overhead barrier since probably nothing will pick up a 8-10'' turtle out of the water.

Do you have raccoons? They climb and they are mean. They pick fights with our dogs (25lbs). Not something I would want to risk, but I also understand how it doesn't look the best either.

RES can be very picky about what soil they use for nesting. I've read that a nesting area of 50/50 sand and compost mix is good. Before you make it you might want to read up a little more (just to save yourself from having to change it out later should she not like it). Here's the website that helps a lot with nesting: Turtoise Trust Nesting

Yeah, lately we've had a problem with a racoon that would drive my dogs crazy. I'll brainstorm on the fence soon, after getting all the facts straight.