General Care Discussion :: my turtle

[jer3my_H]

I need to tell a bit of my story before I ask the question about my turtle. Sorry if I am repeating peoples question, I had troubles finding what I was looking for exactly. I have had the turtle for maybe three to five years now. Originally I had three turtles, only one is still currently alive. My family sort of stopped paying attention to the turtles after I had gotten cats, but after my brothers have moved out there are no more cats here, just the turtle. I had really never knew owning turtles could be such a great responsibility till I had started reading about them today.

I had went and looked at my turtle today. I felt really bad for it because it had no more friends, and it looks miserable sitting in his tank. I decided to go do research to find out that there are many things involving taking care of a turtle in which I did not know. The only things I have in my tank are really smoothed out bricks, with the water level maybe a tad lower than the bricks. I have one old fake plant in the tank from when I use to have fish. But it is off in the corner and looks dirty and old. The only light source it is getting is from my sky window on the top of my house or when I turn the room light on. I change the water around once to twice a week depending on how dirty it gets. We are currently feeding him commercial turtle food.

After reading all about the read ear sliders, I have decided that I did not want to re-home this turtle or give it away. I want to be able to give it a life and have fun having a turtle as a pet, but i do have some worries about him. First of all I know that my turtle is male, that is about it. I am in my last year in high school. I want to do whatever I can to help this turtle for now, so nothing too costly, like basic stuff and what not. When I actually take it with me when I move out, then I will do a full-out habitat for my turtle.

So I have a few questions:

1) Is it too late? Will my turtle not respond and be as active due to its boring lifestyle it has been living in for the past while? How can I entertain him?
2) Will veterinarian clinics or animal hospitals be able to preform a full physical check-up on my turtle, so I know if there is anything wrong with him, and get him treated?
3) I'm fairly new to this, I've read all I could on this forum and website, are these good tips to follow in order to have a healthy and fun turtle?

Money is no object, I just want to know if my turtle will hate me. It has been while since its seen other turtles, so I'm assuming I should not get another turtle. I am wanting a new life for the turtle. Should I be gradually adding things into the tank? Should I change his environment in one drastic change? I'm worried about his well-being basically, will me changing his life style change his personality? He is often basking a lot, on the bricks, and he just looks sad.

[Kemul]

Here are my thoughts:

1. It is not too late. Improving the living condition will improve his quality of life,
although the effect is not immediately. Provide lots of swimming area, good basking
area with UVB (or take him out to enjoy sunshine), use good filter for good water.
Follow the guidelines here and be patient.

2. You can go to vet for the checkup, but I think it's a waste of money if you think
there's nothing wrong with the turtle's health. A turtle is considered healthy if it's
eating, basking, swimming, and pooping normally, no pyramiding, no cuts/lesions.
Well, you can take a picture of your turtle and ask for opinions here.

3. Well, the advices here are mostly given by experienced owners. They have
thriving turtles and some had recovered from illnesses. It's wise to follow their
advices.

When you add water to the tank, considering he hasn't swimmed for a long while
it looks like, add it slowly and observe. Provide resting area your turtle can hold
on to, like fake plants or ramp. The turtle should regain swimming ability soon.

Emotions are human traits. I don't think turtles have them. However, I can't
make you believe me for this one. Just observe your turtle. Having said that,
each turtle has its own personality though. Turtle is very interesting to keep.
Good luck!

[mikee]

J-my-H You have a lot of research to do if you want to get this turtle up to par. You need the proper size tank with filter, lighting and temps. I could write you a page but we have it here. Oh yes, Turtles don't get sad unless they are not taken good care of. Good Luck! m.

[bigG]

When I lost the sister RES to my female RES, I felt the same. The two sisters always basked, swam, and ate together. After the escape of the sister, she would hide under the basking rock and bask on top alone. But, a friend had a much younger male RES and I adopted him. They get along very well. I don't think I would have bought or added another turtle if my friend had not asked me to take in the turtle. I do agree that you should ensure that you provide the proper environment with the proper size tank, filter, basking area, lighting and then provide a healthy diet of turtle food and vegetables/fruit.

[jonreif]

origional poster:

Im so glad you decided to give this guy a good life, its never too late for that.

You have already been given good sound advice and it sounds like your on the right path to a happy turtle but your story moved me to make a reply and wish you the best in making the turtles life better

I and im sure many others who view this thread are watching our turtles swimming freely in nice deep water or perhaps basking under the toasty heat are thinking about the millions of not so lucky turtles out there