General Care Discussion

Posted: Fri Dec 22, 2006 2:16 pm **new babies**

Happy to annouce the new additions to our family, Duncan and Tessa. They are Christmas gifts for my daughter. Before everybody gives me a hard time about giving a child a turtle as a pet, I will be the primary caregiver. They have the proper living conditions. I'm sorry, I've been here before and it seems that everybody is so quick to judge. I've already researched herp vets and have an appointment. I've also gotten my daughter a tadpole. I don't know why, but she absolutely wanted a tadpole for Christmas. I will be posting pictures soon.

Posted: Fri Dec 22, 2006 7:06 pm

Welcome, whats your setup like? I really dont feel that people are "judging" on this forum. People are just here to help, we are not here to jump on you.

There are a lot of people on this forum that provide such great advise and information. If you have any questions, just ask and we would be glad to help.

Posted: Fri Dec 22, 2006 7:49 pm

Don't think of anyone's comments as judging. All is said with heartfelt concern for our reptilian friends. Think of it this way: if you saw a child that was showing signs of illness or was living in terrible conditions, wouldn't you want to say something to educate the parents? Your concern would be solely for the well-being of the child, wouldn't it? We here love our pets and want only to educate those who are unsure of the proper way to care for their turtles. They have become (at least to me) like our children and we only want what's best for them.

Are you putting the tadpole in the turtle tank? If so, it will become turtle food.

Posted: Fri Dec 22, 2006 9:29 pm

I can't wait to see your pictures!

Posted: Sat Dec 23, 2006 4:25 am

I have the basic setup right now, big tank, lots of water, dock, filter, heater (78-80 degrees), UVA bulb, UVB bulb, etc. Basking temp is 88-90 degrees. They're not used to having all this water to swim in, so it's hard to get them to bask, so I'll most likely have to get another tank for basking. Where I saved them from had Duncan and Tessa in a small tank, minimal water, over fed with feeder goldfish, etc. I've made the appointment for check-ups. Tessa's got a tiny spot of shell missing, not all the way through, but having it checked out anyways. Duncan, in my opinion is too fat, so having that checked out too. They're coming around already. "Santa" is leaving a letter for my daughter and a care sheet on feeding, lighting, etc. But rest assured i'll be there everytime she feeds them. No, the tadpole is in a different tank, ugly thing, it is! It's already got itty bitty back legs.

I do have a question though. I'm pretty sure one's a male and other a female, how do I know if they're breeding without watching them every minute, and how would I know if she's got eggs? I may be jumping the gun, but they're not babies, have no idea of how old they are though. Something i'll be sure to ask the vet at the check-ups.

Posted: Sat Dec 23, 2006 10:22 am

How long are there shells(just the shell with out the curve)? You really can't tell there gender until there shells are 4 inches long.

Posted: Sat Dec 23, 2006 11:23 am

It's best that you just let them be. Since they're new to your family and atsmosphere it'll take up to a month for them to bask. Forcing them to bask isn't really necessary at this point. It seems your taking great care of them! A tadpole? Out of all things why a tadpole?

Posted: Sat Dec 23, 2006 12:34 pm

they're over 4 inches, gonna let the vet measure and sex them, they're having too much fun tearin' up all the live plants and movin' all the rock. I don't know why she wanted a tadpole, I guess she's just looking forward to watching it change into a bullfrog....btw, a bullfrog is the only animal that NEVER sleeps....we're screwed!!!!!!

Posted: Sat Dec 23, 2006 12:36 pm

hehe, if you could take pictures of their nails and tails we could sex them. Basically the long nails means male. You can look in the photo gallery and probably be able to judge by yourself.

Posted: Sat Dec 23, 2006 12:38 pm

It's getting hard to keep these guys hidden from the kid.

Posted: Sat Dec 23, 2006 12:40 pm

Duncan's got very long nails, longer chubbier tail. Tessa's got short nails, thin tail.

Posted: Sat Dec 23, 2006 12:41 pm

I've done lots of research on RES before buying them. I really didn't want two turtles, but they were too cute together, would feel guilty seperating them, plus their living conditions really sucked at the pet store I got them from.

Posted: Sat Dec 23, 2006 1:57 pm

Yep, you've got a couple! Do you know about the female laying eggs? Even if you didn't also have a male, she'd be laying. Just didn't want you to be surprised!

Merry Christmas!

Posted: Sat Dec 23, 2006 3:59 pm

A tadpole? How cute.

Posted: Sat Dec 23, 2006 5:46 pm

Question, what kind of tadpole is it? I know some breeds of frogs like the "Pixie Frog" (American Bullfrog) need enclosures of up to 100 gallons.

General Care Discussion :: new babies

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