I saved a freshly hatched creek turtle from the highway and he's now in my aquarium-50 gal. I found him a friend that is three times his size. Should I be worried the little guy could get hurt or possibly killed?
2006-06-19 22:42:32 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Reptiles
I don't think you actually "saved" it... more like extracted it from its natural habitat and crippling its developing instinctual capabilities.
2006-06-19 22:46:07 · answer #1 · answered by Wai 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, the larger turtle WILL hurt the small one. I would seperate them. Return the large one, it is likely a female trying to lay eggs. Keep the small one if you like, but it will be tough to care for since most hatchlings die in nature for unknown reasons, even with the best care - likely natural selection.
What to feed... try starting with tiny, miniscule pieces of shrimp, fish or chicken. Too large a piece, the little guy may choke on it. After it starts feeding, you can giving it insects and romiane lettuce. When it starts eating, try to introduce pellets. It won't take them at first, but with patience they will accept them. Pellets have more nitrients than the proteins I mentioned. You may feed turtle pellets or fish pellets.
Make sure it has a basking area where it can completely come of the water to dru off and get heat from a 60-75 watt lamp placed 10-12" away.
Here is a caresheet for a painted turtle and a slider (two most common turtles):
http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Care/caresheet-red_ear_slider.htm
http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Care/caresheet-midland_painted.htm
2006-06-20 00:11:54 · answer #2 · answered by wu_gwei21 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Please be aware that having "saved" this little guy, you could be setting yourself up for a big fine. In many states several freshwater (I don't know about saltwater) turtles and other riparian critters are protected by the state's DNR. I know in my state most of the indiginous species of turtle carry (at the very least) a $500 fine for having one. I suggest checking on your state's DNR website and make sure that he's not a species that is illegal to own. Ultimately, since he is a wild creature, I suggest that you find him a nice spot on the creek somewhere and let him go.
2006-06-20 03:08:16 · answer #3 · answered by bibliophile_1976 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Turtles will eat worms, bugs (crickets) , Grasses and Best of all little feeder goldfish you can get from a pet store, just keep in mind you can't return him to the wild because turtles familerize with their habitat ( Were the pond is, were the best spot to get food is, ect.)
2006-06-20 03:53:39 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My turtles love bloodworms. But I wouldn't make it a staple food way too much protein. If you plan to get food soon they can go a few days without food with no issues.
2016-03-26 22:34:02 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Put it back into the nearest body of water, the little guy won't know what to do in an aquarium.
2006-06-20 05:04:55 · answer #6 · answered by Goodbye 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Turtle pellets broke in to small pieces. Flys. And others small insects
2006-06-26 14:40:30 · answer #7 · answered by ancer 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Crickets, water bugs, small fish, algea. I thnk the turtles will be okay togeather. if they feel threaned they acn retreat inside their shells. but if its a box turtle,they prefer land to water. Keep this in mind...
2006-06-19 23:27:04 · answer #8 · answered by alyssabeth2304 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
go to the pet store and get turtle food but they also eat cichlid pellets they need lots of protein....it might be best to bring it back to its natural habitat though....
2006-06-19 23:55:11 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
lil water trurles eat grasses r lil fish that u can get at the pet store
2006-06-19 23:13:25 · answer #10 · answered by pearlpinkplants 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋