Other Turtle Discussion :: George's Turtles....

[megcornell]

Hey All,
I live in NY and I have been tossing around the idea of taking in one of George's turtles. I graduate in May and thought maybe I'd take in a new baby as a graduation gift. I have Leo's starter set-up so quarantine is not a problem, and I figure the new guy will always be behind Leo growth-wise so next he can move into Leo's current set up after Leo relocates to her final, huge tank- I was thinking 90 gallons but now that he's a she I may go for the 125 gallon.
I was wondering, Leo is a beast in person towards me- quite bitey, aggressive and a little on the catty side haha. I was hoping when I have a house a few years down the road- post grad school and all- to have a pond outback for the warm spring summer, and then move them inside for the fall and winter. What are the chances that Leo would be good with the new turtle even in the large pond, I assume I'll need two permanent inside set ups for them, I can't stand the thought of stressing Leo or the possible newbie out, but I'd like to let both of them summer outside....

Just wanted some opinions before I get this cute new turtle- I assume George still has several unspoken for so I haven't asked him yet, haha, nor have I approached Leo about being a big sister.

Thanks.

[marisa]

You already know the pros and cons. If you can afford to give a hatchling a good home and want to take on the responsibility, why not?

[Kallistos]

I agree. Don't adopt one out and hope that Leo will get along with the new turtle. Most likely (especially with turtles that have been kept alone their entire life) they'll start defending their "territory." I think George and mybrosteve should start working with turtlehomes.org and cohrs.org etc.... to set-up some reimbursement or shipping some of the turtles to them.

[SpotsMama]

I saw photos (I think it was on here? maybe outdoor habitat or photo section) where someone had divided their - they had a little bridge and on one side was a RES(s) and on the other, koi. It looked just beautiful. Water flowed back and forth between the two sections -I think the divider must have been some sort of screen. You could do something like this to separate a couple of bitey RES and still have a very beautiful pond.

[industrial_girl_2000]

I just got one of George's sliders, but from mybrosteve who stepped in to care for some of the sliders since there were just so many of them! Here's my new baby:
http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=7409

I struggled with the same questions you are since my Sheba is already an adult slider in a 90gal tank.....obviously I couldn't put the baby in with Sheba because Sheba would (quite frankly) eat the baby. But in the end I decided to take the baby because I just love turtles. And having them in separate setups means there is no fighting, no mating, no biting each other, etc. and now that I have a python tube to clean tanks with, well, keeping the water clean is sooooooo much easier!

In the end, it is up to you. Just know that mybrosteve (Kyle) still has 12 babies left to adopt out & ALL looked REALLY good & healthy. I had a hard time making up my mind on which one to get....

[megcornell]

Oh dear. I can't seem to say no to the idea of taking in a turtle that people were so good to save from the river. So I've decided I'll get one. Perhaps they'll coexist eventually in a pond, but if not, thanks SpotsMama for the idea to separate the pond... I'll have my handy boyfriend do that.

I tried to find the topic link to contact George or mybrosteve--- but to no avail... can someone help me find it so I can talk to one or the other about taking a hatchling?

THanks!

[Hoooneylynn]

meg, Kristen doesnt have a brother.... the guy she is referring to is "my bro steve" which is his user name. Just pm kristen if you cant get ahold of those guys.

[megcornell]

haha, yes, i figured that out. thanks for correcting my blonde moment.
I think I'll just PM.

[industrial_girl_2000]

Hey Meg,

I just PM'd you Kyle & George's email addy's so you can contact them off the list if you want.

Let us know how you make out!
Kristin