General Care Discussion :: feeding out of tank

[mizzou]

What is the best way to take a RES out and place them in a feeding container? I've read that the swimming in air motion can be stressful.
Can it be regular tap water with no dechlor added? My RES is about 6" long if that makes a difference.

Thanks

[camee1991]

Mizzou- The "swimming in air motion is fine" , but its safer and easier to handle the turt in a towel. Then just place them in any like rubbermaid or something container with the turt covered in TAP water is fine until they eat what you feed them and they should ummm POO..within 15-20 minutes normally, then rinse them under the faucet and put them back into the tank!

I use a rubbermaid dish pan. (When I take her out, not all the time though). Just WATCH your turt the whole time (so it dont climb out) and it will get used to being handled and eating seperately. *just stay away from its head...*

Camee

[industrial_girl_2000]

Since your RES is already 6", you can do the "Training" that I did with Sheba & let them walk behind you to the water-filled pan. Try this:

Hold a yummy piece of food in hand (tuna works great) & put it up to the turtle's nose so they can smell it. When they are about to take a bite, start walking slowly away from them (keep the food relatively close to them, maybe 6-12 inches so they can still see that it is there) & they should follow you. Turtle can follow you all the way to the food dish where you just lift them up & put them in the water pan. Give them the treat you held up originally as a reward. Works great & reduces stress. It also allows you to get more involved with your turtle in a more personal way!

[mizzou]

OK thanks for the ideas! I will try everything and keep you posted. The RES I bought was being kept with no water in the tank only 2 tuperware things with nasty water.