General Care Discussion :: Handling?

[kaimarion]

How long should I handle a baby ybs for a day and when to put them back in?

Thanx for any replies .

[Safdar]

Do not handle your baby at all, it can be very stressful for them

Only handle them, when you have to, like a water change

[kaimarion]

Just forgot to ask at what size do they stop being babies?

[rachel16]

they can always be your babys like mine there huge babys lol

[octpusgirl8]

I don't know if there's an official answer to that, but i would say that once they hit 4" they're an adult.

[megcornell]

I think once they're starting to grow and are definitely more comfortable, that's a good time to start bonding with them. Once Leo hit 3.5-4 inches, she definitely became a bit of a new turtle, and is more outgoing than she was towards me... I think it has to do with her aging and feeling more safe, and realizing I'm nothing more than a large source of food

Turtles are sexually mature at 4", so that's always a good point to consider them adults at.

[marisa]

I wouldn't just take your turtle out to handle or "play" with him for the sake of doing so. If you wanted to help keep the water clean, though, you could take him out of the tank to put him in a separate container to feed him (and periodically look at him for any signs of shell problems, etc.).

Technically, they stop being babies/hatchlings then they're a year old. Growth can vary, but they're really adults when they're 4 years of age.