I have two turtles, they are red eared sliders or painted, I'm not sure which. Anyway, I have had one for about two years, and he is about 2.5 inches wide. My other one, I have had him for about a year and he is only an inch wide, tops. I have a reptile tank for them, its about a foot or more long and 8 inches wide. The water level is about 2-3 inches. I havegravel on the bottom and a stone frog. I just bought a floating dock which takes up a lot of room, but it floats so I had to raise the water level, which gets me to about 3 inches. The little turtle will not get on it and the big wedged under it and under the rocks and I am not sure why. With the higher water level, will my little turtle be alright? He didn't swim up to the surface to eat last night. I don't have a filter, but I do clean it every week.
2006-12-28 03:09:50 · 5 answers · asked by Adam 5 in Pets ➔ Reptiles
I would like help on my overall situation and also the little turtle keeps sticking its head out of the water, but it has to swim a little just to stay up. I have a pile of rocks in the corner as well and the floating dock has a ramp into the water, so he can get up if he wants to.
2006-12-28 03:12:15 · update #1
Well, they are small and I have enough water in there for them to swim and I should have a filter, but for now I change the water frequently. What I have is big enough in proportion to the sizw od rhwaw little guys but I plan on getting a turtle tank, one that has a window on the side for the filter so i don't have to fill it completly and drown them. I have six different foods, 2 types of pellets, 1 powder treat, 2 large bones, these things called turtle yummies, they are seperatly packaged and come in like a hard pudding state, and a mix of dried shrimp, crickets, and pellets. I am only 15 so I buy what I can afford, but next year I plan on investing in this $70 tank with a side filter and UV light. That upgrade is not too far away, but my little turtle actually just got up on the dock. Anyway, if turtles hibernate, than how do I change my turtles water, I have another small tank, should I toss him in there and see if he hibernates? The littler isn't going to, I don't think.
2006-12-28 04:02:49 · update #2
ive had alot of experience with baby turtles and it may be that its not used to it in its territory, i could not use the docks either because my babies would not climb on it. I had to use stacked rocks . i would recomend taking the turtle dock out for a while and see if he/she will bask without it in there.. if not then that turtle may need to be removed and put into a different and smaller tank with about and inch of water ...... or you could try to put the turtle on the dock and see how it reacts. if you have anymore questions feel free to contact me...
Desiredflaw14@yahoo.com
2006-12-28 05:39:44 · answer #1 · answered by desiredflaw14 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
RES and painted turtles are both aquatic turtles, 3 inches of water isn't enough for them. The tank sounds really small for them too, here are a few sites you can check out to learn what needs to be done to give them what they need and to make them happier.
http://www.winrosevet.com/Turtles.htm
http://www.amphibiancare.com/frogs/caresheets/juvenileaquaticturtle.html
http://redearslider.com/
http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Care/caresheet-red_ear_slider.htm
http://www.twingroves.district96.k12.il.us/Wetlands/Turtles/PaintedTurtle/PaintedTurtle.html
As far as the turtle not coming up to eat could be he is scared about having the new dock in there, maybe its too cold and he is starting to hibernate or he could be sick. Upgrade his living conditions and make sure the water is warm and that they have some sort of uv light to bask under.
The only way the turtles will drown is if they get trapped under the water. Those turtles need water that is at least twice as deep as their shells are long. And as long as the water is warm like it is supposed to be, around 70 then they shouldn't hibernate but since you didn't say anything about a heater I doubt it is that warm. Please read info on how to properly take care of them, it isn't cheap and maybe you should of thought of that before you got them.
2006-12-28 03:40:01 · answer #2 · answered by Nunya Biznis 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is perfectly normal for your little guy to not get on the new dock right away. It is just fear give him a couple of days maybe even a week once he realizes its not gonna get him he will explore it. Stress and fear also explain the not coming up to eat. You really need to invest in a filter though. Your turtles will be happier and healthier It also makes life easier on you. What are you feeding them??? Hopefully its a varied diet greens pellets fresh foods. How big is your tank???? your getting to the age where they are gonna grow and grow and be huge so you need to get a big tank or kiddie pool.
2006-12-28 03:24:47 · answer #3 · answered by Bluies101 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
maybe try to get a larger tank to give them more room i have a eastern painted slider and i have him in a 30 gallon tall tank. he has a little ledge to get up on and bask and about a 1 1/2 foot of water to swim in but he is only in there for the winter months.. other than that he stays in a pond outside of our house.. my turtle is about 5 inches wide. make sure that your other turtle does not get stuck and drowned under the floating dock that you have. i have notice that when there was gravel in the bottom of my tank the turtle would try to bury himself under it so i think that is natural
2006-12-28 03:23:36 · answer #4 · answered by megan m 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it is normal.
2006-12-28 03:53:01 · answer #5 · answered by ~HOT bebe~ 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋