Feeding and Nutrition :: Feeding question

[DavidY]

Congrats on your new turtle! That's good that he's alive and kicking. First thing you need to do is let the turtle adjust to his new surroundings and keep the area as quiet and low stress as possible (ie. no loud kids running around, loud noises, cat or dog trying to get a good look, people huddling around the tank, etc). He needs a few days to realize that he's safe and isn't in any danger. Make sure the water is between 78 and 80 degrees and that he has an appropriate basking area. He may not eat during this time if he's too stressed from the shipping.

The white spot could be fungus or an injury. If you can get a clear picture that would help. Others here can recommend what type of treatment you can try or if you should take him to a vet. The big thing to watch out for over the next several days are signs of a respiratory infection. You can read more about it in the Health section on this website. That's probably one of the biggest killers of baby RES especially when they get all stressed out or were raised in terrible conditions like where you got him from.

And yes, baby turtles can drown if they get stuck underwater so you will need to do something to make sure he cant get stuck behind the filter.

Enjoy your new turtle quietly (handle as little as possible for the first week or so) and make sure the temperatures and basking area are good.

[marisa]

Congrats on your new RES.

He's adjusting to his new home, so you can expect him to be skittish and not want to eat for a few days (if he does eat, that's good) until he feels more comfortable. Make sure there's no chance of him getting stuck behind the filter.

Does the patch become less noticeable when he's in the water? A pic of the area dry would be helpful to try to determine what it is...

[Kayra33]

First and foremost Congratulations on you RES and I am happy to hear that he/she arrived safely! David Y already said everything that I think that you need to know, RES are very skittish, especially at first when brought to a new home and environment. I don't know if you have any aquatic plants such as anchoris or hornwort (and there's more) or fake plants that your baby might like to hide in and they also make a good resting area for those who get tired. I think that he/she might just want someplace to hide like behind the filter.....I'd definitely give he/she a couple of days or weeks to adjust.

I don't know much about injury's to RES as my turtle has never had any so other people might be more equipped to answer your question. I only know what I've read on this website.

Good luck and I hope everything works out for you and your turts

[industrial_girl_2000]

Well, give him a few weeks to "fully" adjust to his new home...it sometimes takes them a day or two for them to eat something initially. Just make sure the water temp is good (78-80) and that he has his basking light on 12 hours a day with an area for him to get out of the water. Establish the "daily routine" right from the start. It will help him adjust.

If there is a chance of him getting stuck behind the filter, then yes, that can be a threat to a baby turtle. I would stick the suction cup to the bottom of the tank, and allow space all the way around. This is what I used to have to do for my baby turtle too & it worked because anytime he tried to dig under the filter, it would just dislodge the filter & he couldn't get stuck.

Get an anacharis plant to put in there so baby doesn't feel so "exposed." Baby turtles realize instinctually that they are more vulnerable to predators so give him a spot to hide. Plus, the babies really like anacharis (eating) and he may nibble on it because it is a natural food for turtles in the wild.

Definitely take a picture of him when you get a chance!

[Caelestis]

What sites should we avoid that sells turtles? And what sites are ok? He bought the turtle from whatever that place was not knowing it was not a good place.

[kmichael55]

Personally, I wouldn't buy a turtle online... I mistakenly got mine from a flea market, which is no better (possibly worse)... but if I were to get another I would visit a breeder or an animal shelter/reptile rescue

[Caelestis]

And where exactly would you find a breeder around where I live?

[Tenodera]

We don't know where you live.

Just check out some websites or ads in the newspaper. Or maybe google it.

[DavidY]

www.turtleforum.com has a section where people can discuss their experiences with different breeders and distributors. That's one of the best places to do research if you want to buy a turtle online. Also www.faunaclassifieds.com has a similar forum section and they also certify some sites specifically for their reputation and reliability with a "Good Guy" certificate that is displayed on the vendor's site.

[kermitzaqd]

I found my turtles on www.petfinder.com. It has a listing of pets that are available for adoption in your area, you just have to search for reptiles. It's also a great place to find other animals