Other Turtle Discussion :: It's a boy!!

[CountryGirl68]

First off, I want to thank everyone here who was so helpful in giving me advice and suggestions for the care necessary for a turtle.

I am proud to annouce that WE HAVE A BOY!! Yep! And he is a cutie patootie!! I'll post pictures soon (if I can find the cable for the digital camera!).

I had looked around to adopt a turtle but every place we looked the turtles were too big (7-8") for the setup we currently have (30g tank). Although we will be getting a 90g tank in the next few of weeks when I'm on vacation, I refused to keep a larger turtle in such a small tank for even a day and my hubby was really looking forward to getting the turtle.

We went to PetLand and I noticed one small RES (4" - the smallest in the bunch) that had two larger turtles sitting on top of him. There was very little water in the tank and ... well, the habitat was terrible (no surprise there). This small RES seemed to have the skin around one claw turning brown. I just couldn't let him stay in that environment. So we bought him. I almost hit the guy at the store because he was going to put him in a tiny cardboard box lined with plastic!! The box was about the size of the turtle shell!!! I said "Oh, no!!" I insisted he put him in a plastic container which I lined with a wet towel (thanks to suggestions from here). The little fellow seemed content - he burrowed into the towel and was just looking about.

Once home, he peed when I picked him up to put him in the tank. That's boys for you!! A few hours later and he is so content in his "larger" home. He's practically doing summersaults. I know that with 4" he should be in a larger tank - I'll be on vacation in about 2 1/2 weeks and that's when I'm picking up the larger tank. I'll be watching his claw and if it gets worse he'll be going to the vet this week - if not, I plan on taking him for a check up anyway while I'm on vacation. I'm going to try the neosporin tip as a precaution. He was on the turtle dock for about 2 minutes but he seems to be enjoying the freedom of swimming so much I don't want to take him out just yet. (He's a fiesty one! He doesn't hide when I pick him up - he kicks!)

Well, as soon as I find the darn cable, I'll post pictures of my boy!! Again, thanks everyone for all your suggestions, advice and concern for turtles.

[steve]

Congrats and looking forward to many pics

[cprcheetah]

Congrats on your new boy! It is sad we went to a petstore today and were just quizzing them asking what they recommend feeding and they said, raw shrimp, raw chicken etc....GRRRRR!!!!!

[CountryGirl68]

Well, I'm happy to say that my boy, Tanner, ate his first meal at home. I gave him about 5 pellets and then some carrot. He did not like the carrot. He kept nipping at the fake plants in the tank so we put in a small piece of romaine lettuce. He chomped it up.

He hasn't basked except for about 2 minutes but I'm not concerned yet. I told my hubby he needed to give Tanner some space - hubby sat in staring at the tank for about 3 hours. He is already in love with the little guy.

I did notice that on his left "paw" where the skin by the claw is brown, one of his other claws appears to have broken almost to the skin. I'll be watching him carefully to see if I need to take him to the vet on Tuesday.

I'll keep you posted.

[missibsu]

Congrats! Keep us posted on the claws.

[CountryGirl68]

You guys forgot to mention one very important thing for new turtle owners. BOY CAN THEY POOP!!!

Just to let y'all know, Tanner's paw is looking better. The brown on one of his claws is not as noticable anymore. That's in only 3 days. I can just imagine how dirty the little bit of water in the petstore tank must have been.

Now, all I have to do is watch it when I'm scooping up the poop. He seems very interested (or hungry, perhaps?) with my red nails. I put my nail by the tank glass (on the outside) and he tried to bite it. Thank God it wasn't IN the tank!

I had to order a new cable for the digital camera and as soon as I get it, I'll post pics for you.

[missibsu]

A lot of people on here, me included, seem to have turtles who are attracted to orange and red colors. My turts love strawberries, red pepper, tomato, and carrots.

[SpotsMama]

Secretly, I think my turtle is attracted to more than the red color of my nails. When he comes zooming over to my fingers when I'm feeding him, I think he's being more than just friendly, I think he's hoping for finger food - REAL finger food!

[Shavannah]

Congrats on your new turtle!