General Care Discussion :: Baby Turtles

[jsp2933]

Hello everyone. I was wondering if you all had some advice on something I noticed going on with my turtles. I have 2 baby RES and I noticed that 1 of them is growing A LOT faster than the other one. I got them both the same size at about 1in. The one that is bigger seems a lot more active as well. The smaller one likes to hide more often by my water heater in the tank or in a plant unless he is basking.

I have taken both to a vet to make sure they are healthy and he said that they seem perfectly healthy.

They both eat when I give them pellets or shrimp, and sometimes tuna. Their water is about 77 degrees and their basking area is about 90 degrees.

Should I keep a closer eye on the smaller one, or do you think time will let him catch up to the other one?

[BullDog]

Make sure the little guy is getting enough food. If you feed them at the same time, it could be that the bigger one is hogging all the food. You might want to consider feeding them a different times.

Also, turtle do have different rates of growth, just due to genetics and whatnot. It could be that the little one is just a slow grower.

[mikee]

js33 -- BDog is correct. One is most likely hogging more of the food. I have a little pig and I have chosen to feed them by hand to make sure each get their fair share. There may be other factors such as genetics but I would make sure the little one was getting full as he can. Be careful as you can over feed them. Get to the basics of temps with water, basking, uvb lighting and proper filtration and water exchange. Good Luck!

[Bumby's Mom]

The water needs to be between 78-80 for babies. I would keep an eye on the smaller on and make sure he is getting enough food and basking time.

[jsp2933]

Thanks for the help. Ill keep an eye on both of them and make sure that they are both eating. Thanks

[marisa]

You might want to feed one of them (the little piggy) in a separate feeding container of water so the smaller one can eat at his own pace.