General Care Discussion :: Dirt!

[passengereleven]

So, instead of the usual boring dock for my turtles, Belle and Sebastian, I gave them some dirt and set it up all nice. The thing is...they keep burying themselves in it and then not coming out! I think this might be some weird hibernation thing that they're getting confused, but it's quite annoying. Especially since I'm treating Belle for a lung infection right now.

So, recommendations? Should I ditch the dirt or let them sleep?

[camee1991]

How big are your turts?...Are they babies? My opinion would be no dirt, same as sand...could get impacted into their systems and cause internal problems, since they eat everything!

I know the regular docks are boring..mine is too at this time; but if you search the site, or Steve the Admin..or someone could link you to the pics of peoples homemade docks; you may wanna get creative and do something like that?! Im working on that soon!!

But I would honestly think about removing that dirt. They DO dig, natural behavior...but they eat it to, which isnt cool. B- careful!

Cam

[camee1991]

Also, sorry for 2 replies, but just remembered about the lung infection your turt is going through. I would say for sure "ditch" the dirt! I would think that that would not help her at ALL! Good luck!

[xsavingsaturdayx]

dirt isnt a good idea,especially since the dirt you have in your tank MAY have toxic chemicals.not only that but i can only imagine what it does to your filter.

[cam722]

You have a basking area made of dirt in the regular turtle tank? That is going to be rather messy and you'll have to be doing cleanings all the time. How high is your water and how have you managed to keep the 2 areas separate? Most keepers only have a dirt area for a female turtle that needs a nesting area, so I'd get rid of it and keep the tank/water cleaner.

Also, if you have one turtle that is sick, did you keep them in separate containers so you don't end up with both of them ill?

[passengereleven]

Well, right now, I've been instructed by the vet to not keep Belle, who has the lung infection, in water, but to keep her high and dry under a UV light. I've already taken Sebastian out of the dirt because he isn't supposed to be near Belle, and they have to eat different food because I put baytril in Belle's food. I offer a big bowl of water for her to swim in once every day, because that's what the vet instructed me to do.

Anyway, it sounds like I should get rid of the dirt! It's too messy anyway.

[cam722]

Ok, the vet said to dry dock her.. That makes sense. You seem to be doing the right thing as far as putting her in water a bit each day. You can do some searches on here regarding dry docking and what that entails.

Let us know how she's doing