General Care Discussion :: New owner with a few questions.

[Gibs]

I am new to turtles and how they should act. My turtle, Suzie, has been with me for about a week.

Questions:

1. I know she has gotten up onto her basking area, but for a very limited amount of time. It is just under 90 degrees on the basking platform. Is that too much, too little, or am I completely wrong?

2. When she sleeps(I think that is what she is doing), should she be pulling her head almost all the way in to the point where you can not see it?

3. She ate a calcium block, is that bad?

4. She wont chase feeder fish. She let them die in the tank and then ate them, is that normal?

5. Is it ok to put her outside in a small plastic pool to play in the water? or will that be more like sending her to a punishment?

6. My tank temp is slightly above 80 degrees is that too high? I have read several places and the range is from about 75 to 85...I tried to just shoot the middle and see how it went.

Thanks all. I have never owned a Turtle before and this one was bought for my daughter(6 Years Old) as a present for her birthday. So I guess I can say I own the turtle as she cant fully take care of it yet. I did read several of the search results for a couple of the questions, but the answers still varied on them somewhat. I am worried I wont get this right and the turtle will suffer. They are definately not as easy as a dog.

Thank you again.

Gib

[bigG]

If you go back to the main menu of Turtle Talk and look under the Habitat Indoor and Feeding and Nutrition sections, you can get most of your questions answered. Like all new pets your turtle may take some time to get used to the new environment.
1. I don't have a thermometer but I live in Florida, so the temp is good throughout the year. The room temperature averages about 75 throughout the year. Of course, the water temp depends upon the age of your turtle (hatchling, etc.). 72-75 is the norm (78 for hatchlings). Basking area about 10 degrees higher.
2. My turtles usually sprawl out with the hind legs extended when basking. But, just like people, every turtle is different.
3. My female will usually tell me (by "biting" on her rock) when she needs some calcium and I'll put in a cuttlebone. You can find more info about food under Feeding and Nutrition.
4. My female loves to chase after some Rosies but she is an experienced adult with lots of practice. My male RES sometimes joins in the chase.
5. My two RES love to romp around outside but under close supervision. I do put them in an old tank while I'm cleaning their regular tank so I don't have to watch them.
6. (see #1).

[Jeff]

Welcome to the forum Gibs!

Like BigG said you can find alot of useful information on the main sight. But I'll try to answer some of your questions. First off how big is she? I have a 1 3/4" RES that I've had for about a month now. They definitely go through some transitional periods but here's some answers:

1. The fact that you've seen her up on her basking dock is very good. Most turtles are extremely skiddish, especially in a new environment. So most likely she's basking when you are not around and when she does see you or sense you comming, she's diving back into the water. Just give it time, she will eventually get comfortable and bask around you.

2. Yes she is sleeping. My turtle is sleeping usually before I turn the lights off. It is normal for them to sleep with their heads pulled in. I'm sure it makes them feel safe...kind of like kids and keeping the covers pulled up tight.

3.If you are talking about the calcium blocks that dissolve for the water, i'm not sure if that's safe? There might be other chemicals in it, so try to keep those away if he's eating them. For calciuam supplements just use Cuttlebone. You can find it at any pet store in the bird area. Just remember to remove the hard backing b/c it's hard for turtles to digest. Just search the forum for cuttlebone. There actually might be sticky on the Food section.

4.My turtle (still very young) is just now getting into chasing fish. He had a hard enough time eating stationary pellets. There are people on this sight that say their turlte live in perfect harmony for months with a fish, and then wham, turtle eats fish. Others have hunting experts that won't quit till all the fish are gone....just like before, all turtles are different.

5.IMOA I would try to keep her in her main aquarium for a month or so until she gets comfortable. If you are constanly picking her up and moving her around she won't have any time to adjust to her permanent home. Like I said, my turtle is very small, and I haven't handled him but maybe 3 or 4 times since I've got him. And those times were only b/c I had to rearrange his tank.

6. If your turtles is a juvenile, basically under 3 inches maybe? I would keep the temp around 78-80. But if she's 3-4inches or bigger 75-78 is perfect. You do not want the water too warm b/c this can cause escessive shedding along with she won't want to get out of the water to bask. The basking area should be 10 degrees warmer, but shouldn't reach over 93 or 94. Most people on this site will tell you around 89-91 is perfect basking temp.

*MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A UVA/UVB bulb for the basking. This light is essential to their calcium metabalism. It is neccessary for their shell health. You can get one at any pet store.

Just browse the main sight and you'll find TONS of information. But we are all here to help!

[Gibs]

Thanks for all the info.

She is about 5 inshes front to back of the shell.

I have UVA/UVB light for her already. I need to cool down my tank water a few degrees, and then the basking area also. So she is sleeping....what a relief...LOL My little girl went nuts when she saw the head all the way in the shell. I ddnt know whether that was normal or not. I will keep her in the new home so she gets used to it.

Again thanks and I am slowly going through all the info on the main page.

Gib

[bigG]

Now that I know that you have a larger, older turtle, the temp was a little warm. You turtle is normal and appears to be doing great. My turtles sleep sprawled out because I've had the female for almost three years and she's comfortable. Jeff gave a few more details but I agree with him especially on the cuttlebone vice the calcium. Just remember there are many general rules and your turle may require his/her specific rules. By the way, since the turle is about five inches, do you know if it's a female or male.? I only ask because if she's a female, there will come a day when she becomes fertile with eggs. My female definitely lets me know when she needs to build a nest and lay eggs.