Reptiles Magazine Community / Reptile Forums / Turt and Tort Talk

tortoises soaks in his waterdish ALL day.

SunnyKisses — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:30:42 GMT

I Have noticed my red footed tortoies has been soaking ALL day long, his humidity is perfect the temp in the basking area is about 95.. No sign of mites.

Any Ideas as to what could cause this behavior? Hes normaly out and looking around all day

Is terra cotta safe in water?

Venomlust — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 14:39:42 GMT

Hey all. I'm putting a turtle aquarium together, and I have plenty of various sized terra cotta roofing tiles that I use for my non-aquatic herps.

I was wondering if it's safe to submerge terra cotta pieces in water. Will iron oxide or any other compounds be leached out of the terra cotta, and will this harm the turts?

Will water prep/treatment solutions help?

Thanks for reading!

- Alex

NEED HELP WITH TORTOISE HUMIDITY!!!

Luksta — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:05:54 GMT

I know that the humidity for Russian Tortoises should be at about 60% but I can't seem to get it over 50%. Could anyone help me with this problem? Any ideas are appreciated

snappers

opal — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 16:44:59 GMT

who here has a snapper? i like them. post pics if you do.

Concerns about first tortoise.

SesameSeed — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:27:06 GMT

I just bought my first Tortoise/ Turtle and he/she is a baby red footed tortoise. I have my tank set up right according to what i've red and the diet I'm feeding him is everything i've read too, but all he has done since ive had it for the last three days is borrow into the cypress mulch under one of its hides. The couple times ive picked him up his breathing seems to be heavy, but i dont really know what normal breathing is. His head bobs up and down with each breath a bit and his legs move slightly. Am i just over-reacting or does this seem strange?

Yellow belly slider acting strange, help quick please

tinyturtle — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 19:50:04 GMT

I have a baby yellow belly slider turtle that has been living in and out of his water for about 2 weeks. This morning, he burrowed under the mulch in his aquarium and didn't come out. So I cleaned out the cage to find him, put him in water and then put his cage back together. I put him back in, and he immediately burrowed under the mulch again. I left him alone and he has been burried all day. What could this be? Is he trying to hybernate? He has a heat lamp, so I know he's not cold. We found him when he was only about 2 weeks old, (per the guy at the pet store) and has been acting pretty happy since we have had him for about two weeks. He is eating hatchling formula turtle food. Any help would be appreciated. I am worried that he is burying himself to die or something.

Do tortoises make SOCIABLE pets?

SesameSeed — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 13:34:04 GMT

I've never owned a tortoise before, even though I find them more charming esthetically then most snakes, lizards e.c.t. But what I'm wondering is do they become social with there handlers/ owners? Will they enjoy being handled and become attached to there owners like some lizards? I'd love to buy one and was just wondering. Thanks.

African Spurred Tortoise

george12 — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 19:39:14 GMT

(African Spurred Tortoise) male, about 62 pounds. Gabriel was saved by a Boise man who found Gabriel wandering down a congested city street. He hoisted the gentle giant into the back of his pick-up and out of danger. An all-out effort was made to find his owners.

My Albino Sulcata Tortoises

Tortuga Joe — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 10:28:53 GMT

Hello everyone. I am new to this forum but just wanted to share my Albino Sulcata babies that have Ruby Red eyes!! These were created from 2 normal looking Adult Sulcata parents that carried the gene for Albinism. I am told these are really rare and sell for $3500 overseas. I am selling the babies @ $2500 each. Thanks and best wishes to everyone!

Enjoy the pic!!!!!

algae growth in tank

raye — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 20:43:35 GMT

We have a small 10 gallon tank and we have a small problem with small patches of algae growing on the turtle dock and on the bottom.

We have a submersable filter in the tank, the filter is for a 10gallon tank and we clean the tank once a week.

Do you think a bigger filter would help, or maybe some algae removal?

We have a basking light and a UV light also a heat lamp that we leave on at night to keep the temp up at night.

Any advice appreciated

Ideas on live plants

Patrika — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 11:22:51 GMT

I have been trying to find a suitable plant to grow in my spiny softshells enclosure, but not having much luck.

My first idea, and not a well-thought out one, lol, was duckweed....which was quickly sucked up by my filter. Could have seen that one coming if I had actually thought about it, but yet ended up with a mess and picking clumps of plant out of my filter.

Idea #2 was mini water lettuce, but it didnt take off right, so was moved and now thrives (rather pretty now) in a swordtail tank, lol.

So, I came across some info about mangrove plants...going to do a little research to see if they would be suitable. Has anyone had experience with them?

Any other ideas on some plants that would thrive in a turtle enclosure? My guy has about 3/4 of his enclosure with a few inches of sand where the water depth is only around 3" with the remainder of the tank bare-bottomed and deeper (where the filter and heater sit as well). So size is definitely an issue here, as fully aquatic plants would have to be quite small. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

PLEASE HELP! Baby RES with Respiratory Infection

tluck — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 18:13:33 GMT

I have a baby RES - 4-5 months old that has a respiratory infection. He has bubbles from his nose, listing, coughing, and has swollen eyes (when closed). I took him to the vet yesterday and the vet said he was too small to give antibiotics to. He is 9 grams. She said she the dosage was too small for the syringe. What can I do? I have increased the water temp, added a UVB light in addition to the basking light, and have quarantined him. I am changing his water to add warmer water every 12 hours. There has to be some kind of medication that can be given....any advice??

New Turtle!

Maximum — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 18:17:17 GMT

I got a red-eared slider! Well, kinda. He's been loaned to me by my science teacher. Who has an adult, but can't put the baby in with it for obvious reasons. He doesn't have any room or equipment, so of course I volunteered to take the little guy! But its only until he gets bigger, but its great because I get experience with turtles without the drawbacks of adult tank size and life-span.

So here are some pics! They are crappy, but all I could get now, better ones up soon!

love those turl

msbattytou — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 17:51:21 GMT

im just got red eared slider that is maybe 2 inches would like a tank mate what do yall think of yellow bellied slider or cooter? saw many people liked reeves which ones would be able to be with bella? any advice would be great also. sarah

i have 2 dogs bear shepard mix

lexie pom

a long haired cat

our new addition is bella a baby red eared slider

A anything but ordinary turtle

the herptile master — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 23:06:37 GMT

I searched the internet for the wirdest reptile i could find. And i found this cool little guy. It seems to be a red eared slider. With a very big diffrence. Take a look.

Its two headed and it is blue. That is the most buetiful trtle i have ever seen. I know that the to heads was just a accendent but i wonder how they came up with blue. Cool right????

Sulcata injury question...need help

Animal Lover — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 08:08:35 GMT

So I went to feed my sulcatas last night and noticed a scratch on my little ones' shell. It is about 2 inches long and not very deep at all. The scratch had blood in it but it was not dripping out, it just looked like dried blood in the wound. We immediately washed him under warm water and scrubbed the wound with a baby brush. He did not seem to be in any discomfort when we were washing the cut or while we were inspecting it. My question is, is there anything I can put on the scratch to protect it from dirt and dust? What should I do for him? I never thought I would have to deal with an injury, so any suggestions would be very helpful. We are working on making contact with a vet but given my location, we have not been able to find one that does exotic animals. He is about 2-3 years old. The scratch runs along the lines in his shell between the upper and lower shell. Please can anyone help me? Maybe even a website that could help? I have nowhere else to go for help

Got my Florida box turtles!

Grant — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 17:54:25 GMT

They arrived today! A little late, but safe and sound. All four are healthy and active.

I will post pictures in a couple days when they calm down.

mixing turtles and tortoises

beccer — Mon, 14 Jul 2003 14:35:55 GMT

I had a question about my two babies Sasha and Fred. Sasha is a Russian Tortoise, and Fred is a Three Toed Box Turtle.
I am wanting to put them in the same outdoor inclosure during the daytime hours. But I don't know if they will fight or make each other sick.
I would appreciate any feed back.
-Beccer

Odd Behavior

skyemac13 — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 18:38:14 GMT

Okay, I've had a 3 toed box turtle for the better part of 5 years. He's about 10 years old, and he's a naturally grumpy, moody and unfriendly turtle. But he's very friendly towards me. He's also very used to me handling him all the time, and spending all of my free time with him. Recently, I got an 18 month old Red Foot Tortoise, and all my box turtle does is bully it and try to intimidate it and try to mate with it. So after about a day of this I finally separated them, and the box turtle's been more moody and upset then ever. Is there anything I can do to make him adjust easier? Or do i have to just wait this one out?

Taking in a baby turtle, help

Darrian — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 13:22:39 GMT

I know it's hard to see, but the guy who found him has
a crapy camera on his phone lol.

I was hoping maybe someone could tell what he is by just that.

Any help is greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

URGENT: Sick dying baby indian star tortoises

juwin — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 10:37:22 GMT

Dear all

I have just rescued 5 sick baby star tortoises from an irresponsible owners today. They are the size of ping pong balls. one of them died. I know from a fact that they were not provided with sunlight and water by the previos owner.

all 4 of them r not moving much and eyes are closed most of the time. Eyes are not swollen but shut. I saw them rubbing their eyes with their front limbs as if trying to tear their eyes open. They don't hide into their shells when picked up and all limbs are just hanging. None of them is feeding too. They practically drag their way around instead of walking like any tortoises do, with their eyes shut. I am very worried that all 4 will perished.

I am keeping them in a covered fish tank with old newspaper as substrate and a shallow container for water. I am basking them a few hours in my garden.

unfortunately very little vet and basically no herp vets is available in this part of the world.

Can anyone pls provide info on how to cure these poor babies?

Thanks!!!

new turtle

msbattytou — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 18:03:31 GMT

i have a red eared slider in20 gallon tank with heater and uvb and basking

would like to get bella a tank mate does any 1 have suggestions?

also does any 1 have suggestions on where to get.

thanks

sarah

feeding YBS

txmimi — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 22:06:43 GMT

I feed my two baby yellow bellied sliders in a separate container. This keeps the main tank - 55 gallons, a lot cleaner and gives me a chance to look at my babies closely....

r e s

fred60655 — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 13:02:16 GMT

do r.e.s. hibernate

Too Many Babies (Florida Box Turtles)

dhp771999 — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 19:47:45 GMT

Our rescued female Florida box turtles had a busy spring. #30 plus eggs.
20 new babies have hatched. Still a few more on the way.
All are healthy and eating well.
Now the big question? Too many babies, what to do with them.
Found that we can not sell them. And also we can't really keep them, we are limited on the number we have by Florida laws.
We don't want to give them away to people who don't know how to care for them.

Looking for any advice.

Turtle and tortoise enrichments

Giggity — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 12:03:29 GMT

I have a Home's hinge back tortoise, a yellow belly slider and a spiny soft shell turtle. I am trying to think of enrichments for them. Any ideas you might have would be greatly appreciated.

RES feeding

jackyorrick — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 14:37:59 GMT

My RES is about six years old and will only eat fresh fish. I know they eat vegitation when they get older. How old is "older". Also ,how often am I supposed to feed him. My husband thinks he's starving when he swims frantically but he always swims frantically! He loves attention. We feed him every day and I am worried that we feed him too much and he's not getting the right nutrition with a fish only diet. I would love some advice!

Egg-laying red-ear slider

nagadragon — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 12:42:38 GMT

I am the first call at my local Humane Society. I got a call about a large RES, so I went in to go get her. When I picked her up, they said she had already laid a few eggs (which they destroyed...grrrrr). I got her home, and she's laid 2 eggs since then (total timespan of about 2 weeks). My big question is how to care for the eggs?

We read to take out the eggs, and put them in a bed of moist "dirt", making sure not to turn it or bother it from the position it was laid in. Unfortunately, both eggs "caved-in".

I'm more of a snake/lizard person, so a turtle is news to me! I have a good base knowledge, so she's being spoiled, but as far as eggs go, I'm kinda lost.

Oh, her shell is about 7" diameter, and she's healthy as a horse. Her colors are very dark, so I'm thinking she may be a pet that got released, then captured and turned over to the Humane Society.

RES & YES

Starr — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 12:15:09 GMT

just a question, im not plannin this. it just popped into my head if some1 breeds a RES with a YES would the babies b orange eared sliders ?? lol

heated water in turtle tank

txmimi — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 17:33:56 GMT

Can anyone tell me why captive turtles need their water heated? In the wild the only heat for their water is the sun and the water isn't warm all year. Is it because they are cold blooded?

Swimming with turtles, not good

txmimi — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 23:03:30 GMT

There is a chance of getting salmonella from turtles. The chlorine would be very bad for the turtle also.

Easy begginer aquatic turtle

lizardmaniac — Sat, 08 May 2004 22:12:19 GMT

I am thinking of acquring a turtle, this will be my first an I was wondering if there are any easily cared for aquatic turtles that could fit in a tank that is 30x12x15? Thanks.

Lizards, the best pets ever !! Pics of my herps http://photos.yahoo.com/lizardmaniac1987
2.0 leos
0.1 green anoles
1.1 brown anoles
0.0.3 fire bellied toads
0.0.1 crested gecko
[liz] [frog]

The last painted turtle??

the herptile master — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 23:23:17 GMT

Ok, i have been herping the end of a very large bike trail. This area is the last area where herps are everywhere. And this time, i saw dozens of herps. I even caught a few. And i saw something that shocked and amazed me. I saw a turtle. A painted turtle to be exact. Why is this important??? Well, after talking to a 60 year old local who has lived in the area since he was a kid, i learned that 50 or so years ago, the giant stream that flows through out the trail, was filled with turtles. But he said that there were no more. Since the local kids would kill them and construction would eaither kill or drive them away. I was shocked. becouse this local said that the trtle poppulation was gone. And this turtle could be the last one in the area.

And the area is under threat for construction. I need to know how can i help protect this area. And save the last of its species in the area.

sulcata question

Animal Lover — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 17:02:53 GMT

Can anyone tell me how to find out if my sulcatas are male or female? What do I look for or how can I tell? One is 3 and the other 4 years old.

Turtle ID and care

Zoofew — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 06:03:18 GMT

My Freind bought a turtle from china town for his daughter and she didn't take care of him/her so he gave him to me I will get pics and after we find out what specie he/she is can I get some good caresheets and can we try to sex them.

I HAVE A GOOD EGG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

the herptile master — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 17:18:45 GMT

I was going to take my turtles out for some air. I checked on the female who has made a den under the water bowl. And i saw a freshly laid egg. Me any my mother did not wont to desturbe it. So we put a devider in the tank. And the egg has its own side of the tank. Also, it is kept at a tempiture of 79 degrees and i lightly covered it with sand. Hopefully ths one will survive. The sand is only temperary. Until i can get some moss.

WHAT DOSE A SPOILED BOX TURTLE EGG LOOK LIKE??

the herptile master — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 14:29:17 GMT

My female box turtle laid a egg yesturday. But the egg is turning a diffrent color. Kinda grayish. Or maybe transloosent. WHAT DOSE IT MEAN?? Is my egg rotten??

how do you take algae of a shell

Zoofew — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 05:34:55 GMT

how do you get it off i have tried scrubbing him with a unused toothbrush but it doesn't work what do i do

HELP!!!!!!!!!

fred60655 — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 17:17:24 GMT

My friends res is shedding i guess. its shell is comeing off in bits/chips. Any help would be appreciated

Question for the Tortoise Community

Durangedpenguin — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 18:13:17 GMT

Hello all,
I attended the Repticon in Pensacola, Fl this past weekend. I mainly went to pick up a few more leopard geckos for my breeder set. But when I first arrived most of the dealers only had snakes and turtle and tortoises out, but after awhile the leo's started to appear. Now while I was there I saw several little tortoises that I just wanted to buy and take home right then and there; however, without knowing anything about them...I returned to my original plan. So my question for everyone is, what would you recommend as a starter tortoise? I have been looking at the Russian, and indian star's, but would a Sulcata but I live in mississippi and in an apartment so that would be unfair to it. So I'm looking for something that is going to stay relatively small, but can grow bigger. For right now, I do have a 100 gallon fish tank that I have using for my leopard geckos that I could change for a tortoise or make use of one of my 20 gallon tanks. What can yall recommend to me?