General Care Discussion :: New Babies!

[aero]

I think my mom is about to bring me two baby RES... I already have a year old River Cooter in a tank that needs serious upgrades (he needs a new filter and a new UVB light, plus he needs a bigger tank!), I was wondering can I put the new babies in the tank with him or should I keep them separated for a while or what should I do?

[marisa]

It would be much better to keep them separated for now. Get them their own set-up and let them grow some. Turtles that have a big difference in size shouldn't be placed together until their more equal in size. If your one cooter needs a tank upgrade, adding two more turtles, even hatchings, is further crowding things, and may need to bullying. (Ideally you also want to quarantine them for at least 3 months to make sure they're healthy.)

Why is your mom getting you two more turtles when the space you have for one is inadequate?

[aero]

She hasn't seen him in over 6 months so she has no idea how big he is... and my birthday was monday and she wants to give them to me for my birthday lol. I just got them, they are such adorable hatchlings! One has a shell infection so I gotta fix him right away... how do I go about quarantining them? Just keep them separate from the cooter?

[chelonian]

Since she's bringing you 2 RES for your birthday, is there any chance she can spring for a tank for them? I'm surprised she would buy you more turtles knowing you have no way to house them. Have you made her aware your cooter alone has already outgrown his tank? Are you going to have the funds needed to outfit a separate setup for the babies? If you're already behind getting needed serious upgrades for your cooter, how are you going to set up two new RES?

Hate to say it, but as fun and exciting as it is to get more turtles, this isn't sounding so good.

[aero]

:/

Guess I'll have to make some fast money then...

[roseK]

i was going through a canadian tire the other day, im not sure what the american equilvalent is, but its a giant hardware/garden/home superstore.

and i was surprized at the size of large bins, like rubbermaids, they carry. They would make a great short term holding tank and very inexpensive