I adopted a water turtle about 2 months ago....?

Question

when I adopted him the people that found him said he had been on their front lawn, in the middle of summer, for 48 hours in the sun (very little shade). NO WATER. I have been watching him/her very carefully, but i started to notice about 2 weeks ago his shell was peeling? and now it has turned red? What is this? It is a red spot about the size of a quarter. And also, do i need to get a second turtle? At the pet stores they always have like 10 in one tank. Will he/she get lonely?

not a slider, or painted, noone has been able to tell me the breed yet. I gave up on that question.

Answer 1

It is shedding, all reptiles do this, but I am concerned about the red. It could be Septicemia, blood poisoning so I would take the turtle to a Herp Vet ASAP. To find a Herp Vet in your area check these links: http://www.nytts.org/nytts/helpnet.htm

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vets_for_herps

No, you do not need a second turtle. Turtles do not get lonley. And yes Pet Stores do overcrowd their tanks and no it's not good, but they are also not there for the longterm, once you get them home, you should have all the equipment and space to care for them correctly you SHOULD have the biggest tank you can afford because your turt does need 10 gal per inch of shell, if you can not afford a big tank, there are other alternatives like a rubbermaid bin, a preformed pond liner, a kiddie pool, etc. You also need to have a place for him to bask, it needs to be big enough for him to come completly out of the water to dry off. Above the basking dock, log, ramp (whatever basking spot you decide on) you should have a heat lamp (you can use a household light bulb)and you need a UVA/UVB lamp which should emit at least 5% UVB but 10 % is better. The water temp should be mid to high 70's with the basking temp 10 degrees higher. If you can't regulate the water temps, you will need a submersible heater.A good filter is also a great idea cuz turts produce alot of waste. Your filter should be double the size of your tank, for example, if you have a 20gal tank, get a filter for a 40gal. Also do Not use gravel, turtles can eat this become impacted and worse case scenario, die.

You really need to identify what kind of turtle you have because not all aquatic turtles have the same care requirements. For example sliders, painteds, maps and such need deeper water while Musks, Muds, and Snappers are shallow water turtles. If you can add a picture or email me one, or come to a forum I belong to, I can get it identified for you.
The forum is http://www.turtleexchange.com/forum/index.php I really hope to see you there, so we can help you! And I hope you do take your turt to the vet! If it is Septicemia, it's very serious and without proper treatment, he will die.

Answer 2

well i had 2 trutle once they were red ear sliders. i dont know what kind you have. But you should take him to the vet. I had two turtles and they seemed like friends. I think maybe they might get lonely but if you do make sure you give them plenty of room. That way they can swim and have room. At the pet stores they try to tell you that you have to get a huge tank. And yet they scrunch up 10!!!! I only get big tanks becuase I'd like to think if I were a turtle id like room to swim!!! Wish you luck on your turtle. Tell him/her i said hi!!!! O_o - Jazz

Answer 3

1.) Identify the species. We really cannot help unless we know the species. I must have missed the ID question, but we can usually help. You can also try the galleries at http://www.tortoise.org or http://www.austinsturtlepage.com

2.) The red spot may be sun-scald, not necessarily a big deal by itself.

3.) Turtles don't really get lonely.

Answer 4

Okay thats not as bad as some awnsers. Umm not to be rude but turtles are animals that hate being with eachother turtles need 10 gallons per inch of turtle so 120 gallon tank once full grown and pealing and shell colouration is very normal.

Come to this site it has lot's of info!
http://invisionfree.com/forums/Happy_Turtles_Pub/index.php?showtopic=6831&st=15

Answer 5

hi, permit's see, first Cstina is incorrect approximately each and every little thing she says yet thats ok. I own 6 turtles now and that i've got had trurtles maximum of my existence so i'd desire to grant you some genuine suggestion and notice in case you desire to get a turtle or not. i'll declare that if your observing a turtle or a tortoise you ought to bypass with a semi-aquatic turtle. in comparison to Cstina has advised you turtles easily do know you whilst it gets used to you and all of mine bypass loopy swimming and splashing whilst they only see me in the door way not to point come as much as the tank. Semi-aquatic turtles like Slider, Painted , African sidenecked and maximum others are easily somewhat rapid expcecialy in the water. Turtles dont only coil of their shell and sit down their and that they have a lots lots extra desirable reminiscence then the goldfishe's 3 2d reminiscence. in case you pick to get a semi-aquatic turtle it does value purely somewhat of money. 50 greenbacks for a small tank( you will would desire to get a stronger one as they become older) 30 for a heater 50 for a clear out (they desire extra desirable filters than fish filters). you may desire to purchase floating land( 15 to 30 funds) so the turtle can come out and get UVB rays from a reptile UVB bulb you will would desire to purchase for around 7 funds. once you get the stuff offered and the turtle tank is desperate up, the only component you may desire to be bothered approximately it cleansing the water (wich with a stable clear out is quite consumer-friendly and rapid) and procuring it feeder fish and sticks. Semi-Aquatic turtles are between the main interseting creatures that have been in this international for over 2 hundred million years. I tought my western painted turtle to eat from my hand and to not chew my hand whilst theirs no food in it. He we could me puppy his head neck and legs. Turtles work together with their vendors whilst they understand your not likely to harm them. So in comparison to each little thing Cstina advised you, as quickly as you get each and every little thing set up and spend one hundred funds around (alot extra value-effective than a dogs) you will get exhilaration from seeing your turtle and interacting with it. Turtles can stay as much as 30 years with ideal care. look into it and make your individual determination, desire that helps