Anybody had Turtles?

Question

Anybody here had Musk turtles. Im thinking of getting one and would like to know the basic care information, feeding life-span e.t.c for them, if you have had them in the past that would be great. I saw them last weekend and i know that they have to live in a heated tank, with a strong light above which they can bask in. A large rock to climb on and small gravel. Alos if you have had them as pets in the past could you please tell me how big they grow up to aswell and if you can take them out of the tank as all of the net information is all completely different. I thought someone with experiance with them would be best. If you can help that would be great and obviously you will get 10 points x

And no spam/crap please ive just had a load of that kk x

Answer 1

Hi I do not have Musk turts I have Red Ear Sliders, but I am a member of a turtle forum http://www.turtleexchange.com/forum/index.php come visit us! Here is the care sheet for Mud and Musk turts. Please do not use the small gravel. The turtles can eat and become impacted and die. Also they need 2 lights, one being the basking light you mentioned hich can be a household bulb, and the other needs to be a UVB/UVA light of at least 5% but 10% is the best. Any way here is the care sheet for you hope it helps!!:

http://www.chelonia.org/Articles/sternotheruscare.htm

Also read:

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Information below was found at this website: http://unc.edu/~dtkirkpa/stuff/mud2.html

MUD AND MUSK TURTLES



Habitat for mud and musk turtles varies depending on the species, but in general they prefer slow-moving or still bodies of water. Preferred locations often have soft-bodied beds, either consisting of sand or mud, and support a large amount of aquatic vegetation. Utilization of specific habitats can be the result of a complex interaction of factors, even among turtles within a particular species or subspecies. Intrinsic properties of the location, including type of substrate, presence of vegetation, and water flow, interact with other factors such as abundance of local predators, alteration in the habitat (either naturally or by human intervention), and variable local climatic conditions. Some research has been done to evaluate the relative importance of these factors (see, for example, Webster, 1986, Christiansen et al., 1989, and Stone et al. 1993). Basking sites are not essential, but some species will take advantage of spots if they are available. Sternotherus odoratus has been reported to climb trees, edging out on branches meters above the water, and dropping into the water below when disturbed. The loggerhead musk turtle, S. m. minor, shows similar tendencies (Pritchard, 1979). Some species, especially those located in drier regions, inhabit temporary bodies of water. In the dry season the turtles will estivate in the dried mud, waiting for rainfall to replenish the water supply.


The majority of mud turtles are located in Mexico, Central and South America. A number of these, including K. herrerai, K. angustipons, K. dunni, and K. creaseri, have only been cursorily described, especially details of their natural history. Other species may also exist; Iverson (1992) indicates that K. integrum actually harbors a second undescribed species. Some of the more distinguished species of mud turtles are K. leucostomum, the White-lipped mud turtle, and K. scorpioides, the Scorpion mud turtle. The White-lipped mud turtle has a dark carapace, with a yellow plastron. Befitting its name, the edges of the jaws are cream, sometimes interrupted by dark smudges. The Scorpion mud turtle group (there are six recognized subspecies) contains the Red-cheeked mud turtle, K. s. cruentatum. Individuals of this species are moderately large, with carapaces bearing three keels. The carapace itself is yellowish and the plastron shades into an orange cast. Most strikingly, the sides of the turtle's head can be red or orange, giving the turtle its common name.

Mud and musk turtles can be maintained in captivity if care is taken to address their environmental needs. Depending on the species of kinosternid and the local environment, outdoor maintenance can be considered for part or all of the year. Animals kept outside will require a water area and a land area. The areas should be enclosed in a fence constructed in such a manner that the turtles cannot get through or under it. As mud and musk turtles are occasionally preyed upon by large birds or climbing animals such as raccoons, it might be necessary to cover over the whole enclosure to prevent loss of turtles. Outdoor maintenance has the advantage of giving the turtle a more natural environment, but often does not allow the keeper to closely observe the turtle, for signs of illness for example.

In captivity kinosternids will eat many of the items that they eat in their natural habitats. Various insects, earthworms, and fish are all readily consumed. For those species that are omnivorous, vegetable matter should be offered on a routine basis. Commercial turtle foods and trout chows will be accepted by most kinosternids, although it may take a period of acclimation. Turtles should not be allowed to become fixated on any particular food; items should be varied to provide a complete diet. Periodic supplementation with vitamins and calcium may help prevent deficiencies due to undetected inadequacies in diet. Captive turtles in the author's collection are fond of calcium blocks made of plaster of paris with added vitamin and calcium powder. In addition to the benefits from the calcium and vitamins, the blocks also help keep a turtle's jaws worn down. A final note of caution: some of the more aggressive species have been known to bite at cagemates during feeding, sometimes leading to loss of limbs (see for example the report on K. scorpioides in Pritchard et al., 1984).

Answer 2

I used to have 2 terrapins. They used to live in a heated tank, would swim and sunbath on their rock. :) In the summer I used to put them in a run with a tub of water. They loved being able to walk around. However they got to big for their tank, couldn't afford another one at the time so I gave them to a local pet shop, where they still live. They are now about the size of a small dinner plate. They are great pets but before you purchase one make sure you know how big they are going to get.

Answer 3

I used to have 4 red-eared terapins living in a pond in our garden (i brought them inside in winter and set up a big pond with lights in the kitchen). They were all varying ages from 5yrs old to 12ish yrs old. They grow very slowly and can live for over 100 years. My largest one was about 25cm long (head to tail).

I got them from an unwanted pets advert in a newspaper, some kid had got them when they were tiny and cute during the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles craze.

I dont want to be negative but i wouldnt reccommend them as pets, especially in the UK. They are very innactive, especially during winter when they can hibernate if they get too cold. Their water gets very smelly and needs changing often, and quite expensive to feed. (I gave them coley which i bought frozen).
It might sound disgusting but we used to have a huge snail problem in our garden, and i found that the turtles loved them. I would hold a snail just under the water, once it started to drown it would stick out its head and thrash about, the turtles would see this movement and go for it! They definitley sorted out our snail problem.In the end snail was their main diet, and i think the calcium in the snails shell was very good for them because they were in good condition.

They are quite vicious with sharp jaws, and are surprisingly fast. But i would sometimes handle them, carefully lifting them from behind supporting the shell from above and below (v important). They didnt like to be lifted and would hiss loudly- often squirting faeces on me too.

Im not sure about musk turtles, maybe they are more fun and less aggressive. But to be honest i think that they can be hard work, especially once the novelty has worn off.

Hope this has helped.

Answer 4

HAVE HAD A TURTLE I KEPT IN A FISH TANK WITH TROPICAL FISH , AND HE HAD A FLOATING PLATFORM TO BASK ON , WAS GREAT FUN AND THEY GET TO KNOW YOU , BUT HE KEPT EATING MY FISH FROM TIME TO TIME , AND MY WAY TO STOP HIM WAS TO PUT IN BOWL FLOATING IN TANK . IT CURED HIM FOR A WHILE BUT THEN HE WOULD DO IT AGAIN . KEPT HIM FOR ABOUT 5 YRS OR SO , INTERESTING PET . THEY BREATH AIR SO YES YOU CAN TAKE OUT OF TANK BUT ALSO NEED THE WATER SO NOT FOR TOO LONG .GOOD LUCK !

Answer 5

ive had a turtles head

Answer 6

leave them in the wild where they belong, if you want it so badly go and live among them

Answer 7

i had one when i was six but my dog ate it i bald my eyes out and i was so mad

Answer 8

No. We were going to have Ostrich once, but we couldn't get it into the oven.

Answer 9

hey you could add turtles to your chicken casserole!

Answer 10

i hope this helps:
http://www.chelonia.org/articles/sternotheruscare.htm