my husband was talking to this woman about a turtle. we have a African side neck turtle.. and he wants another one.. but she told him that she had the turtle since birth and gave him a list of things she does with it..
she does not have a heat lamp.. it is in a glass container in front of a window for the sun to hit him.. and she puts him in water 4 hours a day and feeds him.. what i want to know is.. IF i decide to take this turtle... do i need to continue what she is doing.. or do i do what i do for my turtle that i already have. Do turtles get used to the same thing or what?
I do plan on taking it to a vet if we get it.
2006-07-20 02:35:04 · 9 answers · asked by ~Mrs.C 4 in Pets ➔ Reptiles
No, you do not need to contiune with this routine... the turtle, like other animals can change its habits, as long as it is not too stressful. Your suggested change will not be stressful and the African mud will be fine. A word of the wise, I would preapre a spare set-up incase the two turtle do not get along. This happens a lot actually, so be ready if they fight. You don't want anyone to loose a toe.
Good luck.
2006-07-20 02:56:40 · answer #1 · answered by wu_gwei21 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
What she was doing was probably slowly killing the turtle.
Putting it in front of the sun like that allows a lot of infrared light, but almost no ultraviolet light to reach it- heating rays got through, but not the good 'helps build vitamin D' UV-B rays since they cannot pass through glass.
The 4 hours a day water bit is also not great for side-necks. They are a pretty aquatic species. It sounds like she got ahold of some 'odd' advice somewhere.
Your new turtle will go through a readaption process getting used to the new situation, but you can ease that during the quarantine process (you WERE going to quarantine it for a while just in case, right? You ALWAYS quarantine new animals before adding them to a tank).
A month-long quatantine is typical, and I would just do the first week her way (except for the window lighting bit), then ease it over to your way by the end of the quarantine period.
The biggest glitch in readaptation is often feeding. If the new turtle is used to a diet that is tasty (to it) but unhealthy, it can be a bit of work to shift it over to a healthier diet.
Sounds like this might be a good deal for you!
2006-07-20 05:22:46 · answer #2 · answered by Madkins007 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
http://www.chelonia.org/Articles/bcwaterturtles.htm
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This is essential to the well being of the average water turtle in order to properly utilize calcium and to properly assimilate the food as well as for curing sundry minor scratches or skin ailments. Sunlight filtered through the glass is deprived of its value; sunlight must reach the turtle unfiltered. When placing a turtle in the sun, be sure a shaded area is available to escape the heat, which can kill it quickly. Also watch to see that the water does not become too hot from the sun. UVA/UVB bulbs are good sun substitutes used in conjunction with direct sunlight. They require a fluorescent fixture for installation, and do not give off warmth for basking purposes. If preferred to this lighting arrangement a Mercury vapor bulb may be used that fulfills all requirements.>>
This site has many care sheets & a lot of turtle info.
2006-07-20 04:36:27 · answer #3 · answered by carl l 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
UV doesn't penetrate glass. Direct sunlight or a UV light is NECESSARY. All turtles need proper care, this woman was not providing it. If in doubt, look up the species on the net and read on the proper care.
2006-07-20 04:58:40 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it is totally nice to allow it run round, as long as you save an eye fixed on it. Water tiers might want to be surprisingly low, yet a sturdy rule of thumb is that if the turtle can genuinely have it is shell submerged yet would not prefer to swim upwards to get air, it is nice. A basking section might want to be offered and a UV warmth lamp is cautioned because it mimics image voltaic and strengthens the shell. An indoor tank is likewise favourite, yet in case you want to toughen it outside( you gained't choose the lamp), it fairly is nice as long as you do not recommendations tank cleansing. sparkling its tank about once each human being and a 0.5 weeks to sidestep shell ailment. desire this helps!
2016-11-06 21:16:14 · answer #5 · answered by bhupender 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would suggest to keep doing whatever this woman is doing in the beginning, and gradually start changing things to the way you want to do them until it gets used to it, turtles can be pretty resilient.
2006-07-20 02:48:58 · answer #6 · answered by boricua_bitch_princess 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i would just do the same thing you do with the other turtle. You should take it to the vet though.
2006-07-20 04:27:55 · answer #7 · answered by sftballgrl48328 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would keep doing what she has done, or slowly ween her into your turtle's routine. Talk to the vet and see what they think.
2006-07-20 02:39:46 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
im sure they do get used to things but turtles arent great thinkers so if you slowly introduce it to a new way of life it should adjust.
2006-07-20 02:41:32 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋