General Care Discussion :: They have arrived!

[Emily]

Today I went and got my two baby turtles. They are both females, and they seem to be healthy. I think they are tired out more than anything from the trip home. I have a few questions. First, does anyone have any female cute name suggestions? Also, where does everyone's baby turtles usually sleep at night? Mine are asleep on their basking dock. Is this normal? I tried to feed them tonight, but it was a no go like I thought it would be, but I got them some worms, guppies, some kind of food that's called aquatic turtle bites or something (which is veggie and fish), I don't know exactly, and reptomin turtle sticks for baby aquatic turtles. I'm gonna give them some veggie or worms tomorrow. Maybe they'll enjoy a live food better to entice them. I got a 50 ct box at Petsmart so that should last me a long time. Does anyone have any suggestions for a baby newbie like me?

[sonyj]

Usually mine sleeps submerged under water for the night (they can hold their breath up to three hours while sleeping). Just checking, do you have their basking and UVB lights still on? Just wondering if that was the reason they may still be up there. The lights should be on a day/night cycle to imitate nature and on no more than about 12 hours a day.

Give them some time to adjust to their surroundings and they will eat. If they are stressed, this usually comes through in the symptom of not eating. After a couple of days they should be fine.

[daredevilgirl013]

Hmm good female names. Well I always said if I had a daughter or a female dog I would name the girl or dog Leria. So there's one girl's name.

Now for another.....hmm how about Wisp? That was an old cartoon character whose name was Wisp (but she had another name....Rainbow Brite) that I used to watch all the time. Also Adora the woman who could transform into She-ra. Those are the names I would kinda pick from.

And as for sleeping Michelangelo loves to sleep in his fake plants. He feels safe there.

[Emily]

Thanks Sonja and Daredevilgirl, i posted a pic of my setup in the photo gallery place. I'm trying to find cute names that fit them. I'll have to let it come to me I'm thinking. The lights are turned off right now, but the heater is on. I have it set for 82 degrees since they're babies. Is that too warm? The light makes the basking area 85 degrees.

[steve]

82 is OK for now, but you'd want to make some minor adjustments so that its around 78-80. Basking area should be around 10 degrees warmer.

[buffyfan9005]

My hatchling slept on her basking area the first night or so until she was adjusted to her new home and now sleeps underwater. When I just updated her to her 30 gallon tank she did the same thing. After a few days they'll probably start sleeping underwater in all sorts of weird places.

The other night Veronica actually held on to her floating dock with her left side legs and just dangled asleep in the water sideways. They sleep in all kinds of crazy positions.

[Emily]

Thanks Buffyfan, they slept on it all night i think

[buffyfan9005]

The first few days with your hatchling will be crazy. It's all "ARE THEY OKAY? ARE THEY HAPPY? ARE THEY WARM? AM I FEEDING THEM ENOUGH?".

I think once you and your turtle survive the first month you get more comfortable with each other you get into your feeding and such routines.

[cam722]

The first few days with your hatchling will be crazy. It's all "ARE THEY OKAY? ARE THEY HAPPY? ARE THEY WARM? AM I FEEDING THEM ENOUGH?".

You mean you don't still do that?? I think we all get paranoid at times when things just seem a bit off. Then we all go crazy

[buffyfan9005]

I still do it but not to the extent I did. At first I didn't even want to leave her home alone! On days of the week that I have play practice right after school and don't get to check on her until almost 6 in the evening I freak out.

[Emily]

LOL, you know exactly how I am feeling then. ^_^ They finally ate a pellet eat today. I'm gonna try worms tomorrow.

[SlidersRCool]

Haa haa, my turtles sleep pressed up against the filter. I guess they like the suction to keep them in place or something.