I have a red eared slider with a 2inch (give or take) diameter shell. I have heard that you can count some kind of markings on the shell plates to tell how old they are. Is that true? If so,how do I do it?
Also, is it okay for my 7yr old to remove it from the aquarium and hold it for short periods of time? (he is a very calm, gentle child)
2006-11-05 11:25:57 · 8 answers · asked by joeanonymous 6 in Pets ➔ Reptiles
Age: The only real way is to watch it be born, but you can count the rings on the belly scales for a 'near enough' guess for curiosity's sake.
Holding: This is a bit stressful for the turtle, and you'll want to teach him to wash his hands afterwards. Keep it short and it should not be a big deal.
2006-11-05 15:38:09 · answer #1 · answered by Madkins007 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ok. First of all, I seriously doubt you have a sea turtle since they grow to be pretty large and are mostly endangered. So you have either a water or a land turtle. Here are the differences. 1. Feet: Land turtles feet look like an elephants and a waters are webbed. 2. Back. A land turtle's shell is high to protect it from being stepped on. A water turtles shell is flatter for faster speed in the water. Even water turtles need to come on land though so if it is a water turtle, put some thing in it he can crawl on. If it is a land turtle, make sure it doesn't end up in deep water because it can't swim.
2016-05-22 02:12:11 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A red-eared slider with a 2 inch shell isn't able to be legally sold, at least not in NY - because of the potential risk of salmonella. (The theory is, tiny turtles can fit into the mouth of small children, and because reptiles can have deadly salmonella bacteria, that could be bad...)
As for age estimates, I have heard you can count the rings of growth on one "scale" (scute) of the shell - one ring is about one year of growth, but that isn't too accurate with the very young or very old (scutes wear down with age) at 2 inches i'd guesstimate it at being less than 2 years old? Check a turtle website to get a better idea.
2006-11-05 11:36:09 · answer #3 · answered by psychoduckie25 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
count the number of rings on the shell to know the turtle's age. it's okay to let your 7yr old to hold the turtle. i held a turtle when i was 7yrs old. just make sure that when he holds the turtle, he doesn't drop the turtle.
2006-11-05 11:31:28 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
something about the lines on a turtles shell
2006-11-05 11:27:44 · answer #5 · answered by Bella<3 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
i think from its size it is about 1 yrs old
2006-11-05 19:34:22 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ask a vet to be sure.
2006-11-05 11:27:05 · answer #7 · answered by MaryBeth 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
take them to the vet
2006-11-05 11:28:29 · answer #8 · answered by chickwitbadattitude91 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋