General Care Discussion :: A couple of questions about basking, feeding and shedding.

[rancho]

Hi,

I have a 7% UVB/UVA light on top of a floating basking area about 4-5 inches away. I have two RES about 1-1.5 inches.

One of them, the slightly larger one is in the water most of the time, but the other turtle would be on top of the basking area most of the day. The only time it comes down onto the water is when there's a sudden movement in its direction, when it's feeding time or when I turn off the lights at night. Is it normal? I don't think it's adjusting to its new surrounding as I've had the basking area for about 2-3 weeks now.

Also, how much should I be feeding them? I give them ~2 pellets and a couple of dried shrimps each/day, separated into 2 feeding times. Occassionally I offer them some green leaves, yet they never seem to be full. The big one would come begging for food when I go near it. The little one, not so much anymore as it's up in the dock.

When I first got them, a little over a month ago, the big one began shedding its skin and I freaked out and thought it was fungus . Now, it's still shedding, and the little one has begun as well. How would one define excessive shedding?

Thanks in advance!

[CountryGirl68]

Someone with much more knowledge should be around shortly to give you advice. But if I'm not mistaken, you shouldn't be feeding it the shrimp every day. He should be getting veggies instead.

[missibsu]

Pellets should be offered daily for hatchlings (every other day for turtles over 6 months to a year) the amount that would fit in their head if it were hollow. That doesn't include the neck area that you see bulge when they reach for the food. Veggies should be offered in a variety and offered daily. High protein and sugared foods should be offered as treats no more than a couple times a month. For the more aggressive eater, you may want to feed in her own container, just to be sure she isn't eating too much of the other turtles food.

My turtles will a bask a good share of the day if no one goes in the room. And as soon as someone leaves they are back up there. As long as the turtle is getting in the water and getting hydrated every so often, it shouldn't be a problem. Just make sure that your basking and water temps are correct!

[Ferd]

my turtles tend to shed a lot. I heard that this is because the water temp is to high.

[rancho]

Thank you so much for the replies!

How much vegetables should be feeding them in addition to the pellets? Are broccolis and zucchinis, okay? Should they be offered raw or boiled?

[sonyj]

Have you read the feeding list of what not to feed and what to feed under the feeding section?

Broccoli is a no but zucchinis are ok. For more options read the feeding stickys.

[rancho]

Yup. Didn't catch broccoli on the list, nor zucchinis, but I suppose they're consider a type of squash? But should it be precooked first? They don't have any teeth, and zucchinis don't soften up in water.

[marisa]

You could lightly steam the squash to soften it. Chances are they won't care for the zucchini, but they may like small pieces of steamed acorn squash or pumpkin.