General Care Discussion :: New owner, need help ):

[Picasso]

I rescued a baby turtle from some kids who threw him in a trash can a couple days ago. I have owned all sorts of animals, minus reptiles so I'm in need of some help. Since I work at a pet store I know I have the bare essentials.

Here's a little about Picasso....
-He/She is about the size of a quarter
-Now swimming and VERY active
-I've seen basking
-Eaten atleast 1/3 of a pellet in the past couple days I've owned

Here's my set up....
(keep in mind this is temporary I plan to go larger very very soon)
-10 Gallon tank
-Gravel on bottom (will be changing out in a couple days for either bare bottom or some larger rocks, they're still WAY too big for him to even think about eating)
-Driftwood from my fishtank as basking area
-Filter (made for much more water than I have in the tank)
-Undergravel heater (just a small little heater I just put in to keep the water warmer)
-50W basking lamp (brand new)
-UV strip lamp (brand new)
-Duckweed
-Small feeder guppies

I only have about 2 inches of water in the tank currently, I plan to maybe go a little higher soon I wanted to hear peoples opinions first. I put a small piece of pellet in this morning and he didn't seem interested but when I came back a couple min later it was gone so I'm assuming he ate it. He's also been nibbling at a plant that I have in there. So basically I'm asking for any helpful tips or pointers. Also should I try to find him a friend, I know some animals like to have a pal.

[steve]

Hi, welcome to the site! I would say stabilizing the water temperature (78-80F) and getting him to eat are your priorities. You can put a couple of pellets near the edge of the basking area to see if he's taking it... pellets can dissolve after they've been in the water.

[Picasso]

The temp was only in the lower 70s before I put the heater in now its right at 78. I've seen him eating on some of the plants in there.

[hill]

Yep, getting him to eat is very important and you seem to be on your way. Your turtle can take much mor water. Just make sure he cannot climb out. I would suggest a UVB light on the basking area. The basking area should be around 90 to 91 degrees. You will need to get the basking area up to the new water level. Good Luck!

[BiteyBits]

Hiya!

In answer to your question, YES you can put more water in there. Turtles love water and are good swimmers. The only danger to them is when there is too little water, ironically, as they can get flipped over on their backs and drown if they can't get back over fast enough. So if there is enough water that they can just swim around in, this will not be a problem.

Since he's so little, I would suggest that you add an inch or so at a time and let him get used to it. Also, provide places near the surface for resting. Young turtles get tired and like to rest in the water. Close enough to the surface that the little guy can put his head up and breathe, but still underwater. Floating plants work, or use your imagination. I used upsidedown vases for a while (filled with colorful glass disks so they were visible, my turtles kept bumping into them when they were just clear)

You don't need to find a friend, turtles are OK alone. Some say they even do better alone. With another turtle you will always have to watch them as they grow for aggression and will need to provide much more space for them. Having said that, I have two, because they were cute and I 'NYAW'ed at them and they were a gift. I like having two and watching them interact, But I know that I may have to separate them one day and provide for both so If you get two be willing to do that.

For good information read over the main site, they have a little bit on everything about caring for your reptilian baby. Lol.
http://www.redearslider.com/