RI? Gravid? Strange behavior lately!
Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2010 12:13 pmI posted something on Urgent Care because I was REALLY worried. I got one response that led me to believe that my turtle might not have the beginning stages of RI, but may be gravid instead.
I currently have 2 female turtles. Slip is about 4.5" at most and Slide is about 5.5" at most. I've had them for 4-5 years now.
Slip has started to act strange in the past 4-5 days now. At first I noticed that she was hanging around the bottom of the tank more often. Then I noticed that she is hardly eating anything. I've only seen her eat a couple of Reptomin pellets, no veggies. She isn't ALWAYS at the bottom of the tank though. Sometimes she hangs out under her dock and just sits there. She also swims back and forth on occasion. She hasn't been basking much (that I've seen- maybe she's doing this when I'm at work?). I haven't witnessed her trying to escape or anything like that.
The only thing that could have stressed her out recently was we did a 50% or so water change and put them in a container (because I'm not sure if the water conditioner can be put in the tank while they are in it) with some water. This is not the first time they've gone in this container. They are always pissed and trying to get out when they are in the container so that is not abnormal. I did notice that there was a lot more waste in the water (in the container) though. I guess they got extra stressed out this time and in turn pooped all over the place? I mean, it was excessive!
Does this sound like she could be gravid, stressed or have RI? I have a vet appointment on Monday at 4PM- couldn't get one any sooner. I'm a little worried because I've never had problems with my turtles before. They've never been sick and never been gravid. I never even knew that female turtles could lay eggs without a mate.
Anyway, any advice you can offer is appreciated!
A little more info: 65 gallon tank, water temp: 78°, basking temp: 85-90°.
Thanks!!
I currently have 2 female turtles. Slip is about 4.5" at most and Slide is about 5.5" at most. I've had them for 4-5 years now.
Slip has started to act strange in the past 4-5 days now. At first I noticed that she was hanging around the bottom of the tank more often. Then I noticed that she is hardly eating anything. I've only seen her eat a couple of Reptomin pellets, no veggies. She isn't ALWAYS at the bottom of the tank though. Sometimes she hangs out under her dock and just sits there. She also swims back and forth on occasion. She hasn't been basking much (that I've seen- maybe she's doing this when I'm at work?). I haven't witnessed her trying to escape or anything like that.
The only thing that could have stressed her out recently was we did a 50% or so water change and put them in a container (because I'm not sure if the water conditioner can be put in the tank while they are in it) with some water. This is not the first time they've gone in this container. They are always pissed and trying to get out when they are in the container so that is not abnormal. I did notice that there was a lot more waste in the water (in the container) though. I guess they got extra stressed out this time and in turn pooped all over the place? I mean, it was excessive!
Does this sound like she could be gravid, stressed or have RI? I have a vet appointment on Monday at 4PM- couldn't get one any sooner. I'm a little worried because I've never had problems with my turtles before. They've never been sick and never been gravid. I never even knew that female turtles could lay eggs without a mate.
Anyway, any advice you can offer is appreciated!
A little more info: 65 gallon tank, water temp: 78°, basking temp: 85-90°.
Thanks!!