General Care Discussion :: Chances of survival?

[color-me-envious]

I've been wanting a pet turtle for some time, and yesterday I was surprised by a friend with a baby RES she bought at a garage sell from some home-breeders. He's an active thing, and seems very healthy for the time being, but as baby things are wont to do, the little guy has already stolen my heart, and now I'm worried about his chances of survival, because the prospect of his relatively likely death is breaking my to bits.

He's just past the 'hatchling' stage, I believe; he has a nice, solid shell, no yolk sac, etc. He's still very tiny, only about the size of a silver dollar. He was not an expected addition to the household and so his first day and a half has thus far been stressful for him. I'm scrambling as we speak to get him a habitat; he likely won't have a fully turtle-friendly tank--with UV/heat lamp, basking area, and all that goodness--until Tuesday. He spent last night in my bath tub, and for breakfast the only thing i had to offer him was some flakes of lettuce and unseasoned, cooked ham--I actually caught him nibbling some ham, which was reassuring. He should have a 15-gal tank by tonight, with some turtle food and vitamins; Tuesday his heat lamp and little turle water warmer thingie should arrive and until them I'm offering him some direct sunlight through the kitchen window. I'm keeping my apartment at an even 80 degrees for his sake and try to keep his water warm; one of my primary concerns is whether or not the initially less than ideal living situations will adversely affect his chances to a notable degree, even if i have him set up fully by Tuesday.

He's taken one serious tumble since I've had him, in which he flung himself out of my hand and onto the bathroom floor in about a foot and half high drop. I've heard that even if he's healthy and eating now, he could very well just....stop, and die. I'm a sensitive individual who wanted a pet to ease personal depression and though I've only had him a day and a half, losing this turtle will be a devastating blow, though if I can at least expect it and weigh the odds of his survival, it would help.

By the way, his name is Enbi. I bought him a nice cuttlefish bone to gnaw on and am considering getting some Vitamin A drops for his water. Is there anything I can do to promote long-term survival in him, aside from meeting habitat and dietary needs?

[chelonian]

Since he seems healthy and active, I think he'll be fine and I wouldn't stress over it. A lot of newly acquired baby turtles don't eat for a few days even when offered the best turtle foods. With your apartment at 80 degrees, the water has probably adjusted to that temperature which is perfect for his age. Just make sure the water isn't so shallow that he can't flip back over if he tumbles on to his back and that he has places to cling on to or rest on top of.

As far as long-term survival, habitat and diet are everything. I would suggest begin planning on getting him a much larger tank. He'll need it when he grows and it will be easier to keep the water clean, which is extremely important for good health.

Anyway, congratulations on your new family member!

[jwinters]

Turtles can be quite hardy creatures. I was 7 when I got my RES and knew nothing of the proper care of them. He lived in a death bowl until he outgrew it, escaped many a time into a pile of stuffed animals (I always tore my room apart to find him), and until a few years (like 5-6) back lived in a 10 gallon tank with absolutely nothing in it. Now he has everything necessary (and a bigger tank), but he actually did just fine in what most would call horrible conditions for many a year. When I first got him he was the size of a quarter btw.

[color-me-envious]

Thank you both, you have no idea how much that puts me at ease.

Yes, this tank is just a temporary solution so that he's no longer in my bathtub. Once he begins to grow I plan to invest in a very nice Exo Terra turtle terrarium; at least for now he'll be in a very roomy tank, as the second-hand 15-gal I just brought home is like a fortress to such a little guy.

I came home to find he had obliterated the little pieces of ham I left him, which seems like good news to me. I held him briefly when I arrived home just to reassure myself that he was okay, and he seems significantly less panicky than when I first got him, so maybe his stress levels are dropping. I'm about to go scrub out the tank and prep it for him; it's pretty bare bones at the moment, but as I mentioned earlier there's a nice all-natural sand substrate for him on the way (Made just for turtles!) as well as a heat/UV lamp. No basking area yet but I'll rig him up a temporary solution until I can purchase something suitable in the next week.

Sorry I seem so dramatic over a turtle; he's just really ignited my natural maternal instincts.

[steve]

Sounds good so far, when you do start to add the filter, heater and basking area double check to make sure it's not somewhere where he can get stuck. Turtles are inquisitive and might get themselves stuck. Also make sure the filter is not too strong, as that can trap him too.

Do make sure he is eating.. I wouldn't suggest ham, maybe boiled chicken meat or canned tuna? Of course it's to make sure he is eating, then you can switch over the the pellet/veggie routine.

[color-me-envious]

I can't get him to eat veggies yet; but he does eat pellets, he even let me watch him eat today which was utterly thrilling! Of course, now he seems to be floating lopsided a bit, and I'm hoping he doesn't have an RI.