General Care Discussion :: Omnivore/Carnivore and Tank Size Questions

[BabyNorbert]

Norbert and I just got back from the vet, where we had a generally positive visit. They initially provided us with a sample of a powdered food called Oxbow Carnivore Care. Just as we were about to leave, they traded the carnivore care for Emerald Omnivore Diet, saying young RES are omnivorous and older RES are carnivorous . Isn't this the opposite? This is a teaching hospital and the vet student provided the carnivore care, then revoked it saying the clinician told him to change it. He offered to show me a research paper they referenced, but it's the start of the semester and I'm stressed and feeling like a really grumpy graduate student so I just brushed him off. Now I see how dumb that was. Isn't this incorrect? I'm considering calling back and asking for the paper citation so I can view it.

Additionally, my vet paperwork says adult RES will need a 400 gallon enclosure, 2/3 for swimming and 1/3 for basking. . This is not a possibility for us AT ALL being that we are city apartment dwellers and probably will be for some time - everything else I've read said around 120 gallons if Norbert is a female, less if male. Can anyone advise me on this?

Thanks!

[steve]

The "general opinion" is that young RES are carnivorous and older RES are omnivorous. I think the underlying idea of that opinion is that larger RES are in deeper waters and not as agile as younger RES. They forage more but I think we know they rather have a tasty fish than plant anytime.

When I started this site, there were a lot of different ideas on tank size... actually on what the minimum size should be. I chose the most generous one that I felt was reasonable for most keepers, the 1 gallon per 1" of shell length. There were other "formulas" to determine tank size, but they fell short.

A 400 gallon enclosure would be great since larger enclosures are always better. The 1/3 basking area is not realistic... maybe if it were a sandy area for gravid females, but it's too vague of a description.

[texasreb]

It's actually kind of refreshing to see a care sheet from any source that goes over-board. More often you see care sheets list the very minimum accommodation (often only acceptable when conditions are pristine) as adequate and acceptable. I love my exotic veterinary practice, but their care sheets "cheap out" when it comes to recommending potentially costly habitats, food stuffs, equipment, etc.