General Care Discussion :: So I'm Screwed

[Linus]

I don't know why I didn't think it over but my Belize slider can't live outdoors in Cali during the winter. So I'll have to get a HUGE tank to support her during the winter, but I'm sure my parents will not let me so I have to think of a plan.

[joeybsmooth]

How old are you .

How much room do you have in your house .

Do you have a job.

Let me know these thing and I can help.

[Linus]

Yes I have a job, I 'm 16, almost 17.

Not much room in my house, but that's not the problem. My parents will not let me get a bigger tank.

[TheComputerGremlin]

You are in SoCal and the turtle can't stay out in the winter? What are the air temps outdoors during the winters?

If the air temps don't go below like 70 most days, even if it drops during the night, the turtle can probably stay outside.

Also, she won't hit her full size for a few years, and by then, you could have your own home!

[Linus]

Well I thought of hibernation, I was the one who's RES just woke up drom it. But this turtle is tropical, and weather in Belize rarely dips below 70. Here in a so-cal winter, it will reach mid 30's at night in the winter.

My RES is in the pond year round, I'm not worried about her, she's set for life.

[theartbook35]

Well I thought of hibernation, I was the one who's RES just woke up drom it. But this turtle is tropical, and weather in Belize rarely dips below 70. Here in a so-cal winter, it will reach mid 30's at night in the winter.

My RES is in the pond year round, I'm not worried about her, she's set for life.

Belize sliders and RES are two entirely different species, you're right. Hibernation is a very risky process, and you shouldn't do it, even if the temperatures are right. A tropical turtle would have almost no reason to hibernate in the wild anyways, and such an unnatural behavior might not work correctly for an animal that has no experience or instincts to handle it.

I like to think about how they would act in the wild, versus captivity, and how one can make their home as close as possible to their wild environment. Gives a valid understanding of the species behavior, personality and even helps understand what conditions to set in place as they grow. (When you add in the individual turtle's personality, though, there's no such thing as one for all, every turtle is different).

I would explain to your parents that, since you make your own money, that you will pay for your turtle's new home completely by yourself, and explain to them the kind of conditions the turtle needs and why. Better you spend money on a pet turtle than drugs, to say the least.

Please don't give in to finding your turtle a new owner if it's suggested. It is part of your family and turtles do attach to certain people, so, adjusting to a new person might not be that easy. My turtles don't care if I pick them up, but if my mom tries to hold them they flail around or retract into their shells and ignore her because they don't know her like that.

Also, RES never seem to get along with other species well. I don't know the personalities of your turtles, and how big they are right now, but if your RES is pretty spunky, and your Belize slider is smaller than it, then your RES will harass the Belize or seriously hurt it. Not all turtles end up being that aggressive, especially if they've been raised with another turtle of the same species, but it can happen.

Edit: I found a nice care sheet by the way, for anyone who is wondering about Belize sliders a little bit- http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Care/c ... slider.htm

[Linus]

^ Well my RES(9") is quite social, she was raised with another who is not with us anymore. She's never attacked aby of the hatchling that have been with her. The Belize is 5" and quite spunky, but when(if) I out them in the pond together, I plan to be out their for at least the first hours.

[theartbook35]

^ Well my RES(9") is quite social, she was raised with another who is not with us anymore. She's never attacked aby of the hatchling that have been with her. The Belize is 5" and quite spunky, but when(if) I out them in the pond together, I plan to be out their for at least the first hours.

Yeah... I just read up on them, Belize sound like real bruisers.

I would expect any turtle, male or female, to be slightly perturbed by a new arrival, so, having such a relaxed RES is a great achievement on your part.

You sound like you really love them a lot, and like you know what you are doing.

Do you have any pictures of their current tank and pond? I'd love to see them.

[Linus]

I'm going to a party right now, I'll post tonight or tomorrow morning.

[marisa]

You do not want to let a turtle that's native to a geographical area where it would not hibernate hibernate/brumate, period.