General Care Discussion

Hello, my name is Stephanie and as of today I'm a newbie at taking care of a RES turtle. However, things aren't looking so good. I got my turtle from a friend I work with. she bought her about four years ago (she says) and has decided she didn't want it anymore and was going to put her in a pond, so I told her I would care for it. here's where it gets worse.. when we got to her house I saw a 40 gallon tank filled to the top with black smelly water. looks like it hasn't been cleaned for MONTHS! there wasn't a basking light or even a place for it to bask... it just swam in the cold water at all times. she thought it was interesting it swam in circles, floats on one side, and is lopsided.. (basically the symptoms of RI) at the time I thought it was a characteristic of the turtle.... but now that I've been researching a lot I'm starting to see this poor thing has been living in terrible habitat conditions for who knows how long and might have a serious illness. I can't get upset with my friend because I know she didn't mean harm and simply thought turtles like to swim in lots and lots of water. I kinda thought that too until I did some research. now the tank has just enough water to cover her shell and I'm still in the process of buying a UV basking lamp and a place for her to bask on... For now I take her outside for a couple of hours to get some sunlight. (is that ok?)

as long as its wamr enough outside and you dont leave her unattended it is ok. and the water level should be at least the depth of the width of the shell that way if the turtle flips over it can get back up

also i highly recommend a visit to a herp vet

Do your best to keep the water as clean as possible and go from there. Did you also get the 40 gallon? Have you cleaned up the turtle?

Turtles do like to swim in lots and lots of water, but it needs to be clean water. My tank is filled almost to the top (enough room not to allow escape). They are excellent swimmers. My feeling is that it wasn't the amount of water that made him sick, but the poor water quality. As Steve said, how many gallons do you have? Do you have a filter, etc.?

Yes, I was given the 40 gallon tank. It does not have a filter bc it's broken. so she threw it away a while back and couldn't afford to purchase another for the time being. I have a fish net so whatever food she doesn't eat or what she passes threw I scoop out. I'm saving up some money to buy a filter, river rocks and UV bulb so she can bask in it. I do need to take her to a herp vet bc I am almost positive she has RI. I have a fear of her drowning... how is it possible for a turtle to drown?

Turtles can drown if they do not have a place to rest, eventually they will get to tired to swim and stay afloat if constantly swimming and drown from exhaustion.

Don't worry too much about river rocks or decorations yet, just essentials first like the filter, UVB bulb, and heat lamp. And it definitely needs a basking area. Even if it's just made out of some everyday material. Use your imagination. That poor turtle needs to get dry sometimes! I understand your dilema. I would want to be so mad at your friend but at the same time, when i first bought stuff from the pet store I was foolish too. I'm happy you can give him a better home!

Has she been eating?

If she does have an RI, she will have less strength and will tire more easily than normal. I wouldn't be too concerned about taking her outside for UVB (unless it's warm and sunny where you are). Deal with the RI first.

You can just use an incaldescent light bulb for a basking light. The UVB light is separate.

Oh my gosh, that poor turtle!

Herp vet is definitely a good idea.

General Care Discussion :: New RES keeper here...things aren't looking good

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