redearslider.com

Hello,
last week I found a turtle near my house, it was being attacked by stray dogs that hang around here. I did a little research and found out that its a yellow-eared slider (Trachemys dorbignyi) She's about 15 cm. Anyway, I improvised a setup for her (I think its a her) where she stays during the day, 'cause I have to bring her in at night. She's been eating fine, although she doesn't like the pellets or vegetables, she only wants to eat Gammarus and shrimp (which she loves). I've been feeding her once a day and then I leave her alone not to stress her. The problem is that she doesn't want to bask on the rocks that I put up for her. She did the first few days but now all she does is swim against the other side of her pool and stays like that for hours. It's been cloudy for last few days but I don't think that that would be a problem, she needs to dry off, doesn't she? And when I put her out, she just jumps right back into the water. Since it's an improvised setting I have to change half the water every day so I don't think that it's dirty water, and she's eating fine - she eats from my hand and begs for more. I'm feeling frustrated 'cause I want her to be happy until I'm able to provide her a appropriate home. What could it be???????

All help is welcome! Thanks.

The turtle could be getting used to this new environment. What is the air temperature during the day outside? If it's not warmer than the water temp, she won't want to bask.

Do you think she was a wild turtle?

Can you post a picture of how you have the pool setup?

CountryGirl68 wrote:The turtle could be getting used to this new environment. What is the air temperature during the day outside? If it's not warmer than the water temp, she won't want to bask.

Do you think she was a wild turtle?

I don't think she's a wild turtle because from what I researched this spieces likes calm and shallow water like ponds, lakes and there's only a very poluted river close by. But she was in it 'cause she was quite muddy. She also has an injured eye and what seems to be a scar on her neck.
The air has been quite chilly these days, but today there was some sun and she stayed half way out, so I'm quite relieved. Well, at least now I know that when it gets cold they stay in the water. And when it rains? What do they usually do?

steve wrote:Can you post a picture of how you have the pool setup?

The photos of the setup that I took are on my PC so I won't be able to post them now.
This is a link to what she looks like, just that smaller.

http://www.zoologico.sp.gov.br/repteis/tigredagua.htm

Just to mention, I live in São Paulo/Brazil