General Care Discussion :: "Tired of Caring For Him"

[slider_keeper]

This turtle looks almost like a belize slider. I don't think it has any painted mix in it. Just my two cents;)

[Gurgi's Mom]

Your turtle is possibly a cross between a RES and a Big Ben Slider. Big Ben Sliders are found in New Mexico and Texas... so it is very possible. If I am correct, she should remain the size of a typical RES. Take a look at this link- http://www.iucn-tftsg.org/wp-content/uploads/file/Accounts/crm_5_032_gaigeae_v1_2009.pdf

[Kansasslider]

Its not a res! Steve? Vepicray ?

[steve]

Maybe an intergrade of belize slider and a RES? I have never seen or heard of a slider and painted hybrid.

[slider_keeper]

I didn't see the pics of the carapace on the 3rd page until just now. I'm gonna rule out the RES/Painted mix. The shell structure is too different. I also rule out the Belize slider due to the carapace patterns, there is a lack of rings that a belize slider has. I'm leaning toward a Big Bend/Rio Grande. The Big Bends and Rio Grandes both come from the same regions of Northern Mexico, New Mexico and Southwestern Texas. They have been know to share the same streams and river inlets. And I have heard of interbreeding amoungst the two species. Even this is a hot topic in taxonomy. Some argue the Big Bend and Rios are the same species. The Big Bends (Trachemys Gaigeae) are a seperate species from the common Red Ear Slider (Trachemys Scripta Elegans) that most on this forum own. Although they are in the same Genus (Trachemys) of a Red Ear Slider, they are considered different turtles. A Big Bend Slider has red mixed into the colors of the limbs. Your turtle lacks that red and has the colors of a Rio. Know the fun part, noone really knows how to classify a Rio Grande. There are too many varibles, like is a Rio Grande Red Ear just a Big Bend/Red Ear Slider mix? The Rio Grande does not have its own classification so we just don't know. I have mixed feelings about this topic, and have posted my thoughts in another thread. Another thing to keep in mind is the colors of the Rio's varies greatly amoungst individuals. I have seen some very pronounce colors and some like my Rio. My Rio's colors are not as vivid and lack the bright red of others but his patterns are very pronounced. Hope this info helps. I'm gonna say you have a Big Bend/Rio Grande Red Ear Slider.

[Diamondbacks4Life]

First time seeing this topic. Honestly just looks like its just a rio to me. Duller one really. Maybe a rio/res being so dull. I see no patterns at all of a big ben slider on the shell. You would of seen something. The ben has to strong of red line splashes not to show up on an intergrade. I looked at alot of integrade pics you always see something in relation to both parents. Even on my integrade painteds. With integrades what catches your eye will transfer to hatchling even if slight.

[slider_keeper]

Yeah I noticed the samething. I'd say it's safe to say the turtle is from the Southwest;) The care is the same, although I keep my temps a couple degrees higher due to the climate experienced in the southwest.

[puppylovejewelry]

Wow, thanks for all the interesting input everyone. I have even more reading to do now...she seems like a real mystery to you turtle lovers I have much to learn yet as the pix all look almost the same to me! LOL!

Sorry I have not been on here for a long while. Rain is fine. My dog died...it was a very rough time these past two weeks deciding when it was right to call the vet to my yard to euthanize him. That's the first time I ever did anything like that...I cried for three days almost non-stop....very difficult.

I am working on buying Rain a proper home now that my dog's medical bills are no longer an issue. I am ordering the Fluval Fx5 off amazon along with prefilter media, zeocarbon, bio-max media and fine filter polishing pad...honestly it was very confusing to me what to get to put in the filter so I did my best.

I am going to get her just a large rubbermaid type container to live in until I can afford a 100 gallon aquarium (which I should be able to get in a couple of months...this summer, I want to see her as she swims and I already have a nice large aquarium stand that someone left in my apartment)...she definitely needs more room to swim and I feel bad that I have kept her waiting this long. I am going to return the cheap zoo med turtle starter kit to petsmart along with the dumb rocks I can't use and their expensive crappy zoo med turtle filter. The receipt says I can return it as long as its within 60 days. I think it was Steve who initially suggested I return it and he was right. It is just going to sit on my porch doing nothing as she needs something better asap.

I got her some reptomin. She has also been eating lightly cooked sweet potatoes, carrots, raw zucchini, dandelion greens, red leaf lettuce, fish only once or twice a month will be a rare treat.

I have gotten more used to her and less afraid of her scales and claws. Yesterday she let me squeeze and examine her pudgy legs. She is basking alot but normally, diving into the water frequently for cool downs. As far as I can tell, all seems quite good for her except she needs more room to swim asap.

When I get the new set up for her I will post a pic.

[apondfortimmy]

^^^ SO HAPPY! ... except about your dog. I'm sorry.

But happy about Rain!

[Kansasslider]

Sorry for your loss.

[ataraxiamb]

Good to "see" you again! I am so sorry about the loss of your beloved dog.

I am so glad to hear how well Rain is doing, regardless of what kind of turtle she is.

[Kansasslider]

Good to "see" you again! I am so sorry about the loss of your beloved dog.

I am so glad to hear how well Rain is doing, regardless of what kind of turtle she is.

X2

[Asa's Mommy]

I think you're a true hero for saving your turtle from what those boys did. I have dogs also- sorry for your loss! Nice to 'meet' you!

[RDHome]

I don't have much to say for advice. What I do have to say is this

You deserve a medal for your genuine care for this living creature someone abandoned. You went out of your way to save a creature.that you knew nothing about. You are an amazing person and I just can't express how much your kindness has made me smile in reading all of this. Pet stores generally (where I live especially) know nothing about turtles.

I might be sentimental or a little crazy, but my turtle absolutely loves me! She knows who I am better than anything. She recognizes my face ( I don't care what anyone else says) when I crouch down beside her tank she always comes to the glass and stares at me, if I walk away without picking her up, she gets angry LOL. I think this turtle will come to love you, and you will become very knowledgeable of what you need to do. Also, once you have turtle love in you, it is crazy hard to even consider not having one....or six like it is with Guinea pigs, I've recently gotten a Guinea pig myself LOL.

[Mart396]

I wanted to congratulate you for saving the turtle and taking the time to research about sliders and give her a proper care, and buying the stuff she needs.