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Okay I caught a turtle about the size of a small apple at this lake and I'm not sure wether it's a boy or girl. Could someone please tell me how I can figure out the turtle's sex. Also what species is my turtle? Only really distinctive thing I noticed about my turtle is that it has yellow stripes on it's head. I hope he doesn't die, I read it needs a place hide to help itself relieve stress. What can I use for that. The things I bought for it so far have been a 10 gallon tank and these dried shrimp things to feed it and these black little rock things to put on the bottem of the tank. I also put some rocks I thought it might wanna climb on to get out of the water. I wasn't sure if tap water would hurt it so I used water from the lake. It's really clear for lake water, but can I use tap? He doesn't seem to want to eat the shrimp I bought him have I done something wrong? Also he has this green plant looking stuff stuck to his back. How would I clean that off of him. Thx for all the help!

2007-03-22 15:34:03 · 3 answers · asked by 83 1 in Pets Reptiles

3 answers

Ok, here we go:

1. It sounds like you have either a Painted Turtle (red belly?) or a Yellow Belly Slider (yellow belly?).

2. It was possibly illegal for you to collect this turtle. Many places require a permit- often a fishing permit, or protect all native non-game species. (Not like you are going to get busted, it is just a point worth mentioning.)

3. Wild-caught turtles will never be happy or as healthy in captivity. I REALLY STRONGLY recommend that you release it back to the pond ASAP.

4. I'm guessing that your turtle is about 3-4" long, which means it really should be in about a 50 gallon tank, about 1/2 filled.

5. Tap water is fine for turtles. If you can drink the water, they can live in it.

6. The water should be heated to about 75-80F, and the basking site should be lit in a way that heats it to about 90F.

7. You are going to want a filter soon! Aim for one that can handle a 150 gallon tank. Here is a good article on this: http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Care/waterquality.htm

8. It takes a while for wild caught turtles to eat, and many never do. Try feeding it a mix of good quality turtle pellets, worms, crickets, snails, frozen krill, fish food style shrimp, etc.

For good info, try http://www.austinsturtlepage.com

2007-03-23 14:07:19 · answer #1 · answered by Madkins007 7 · 0 0

i think u have a yellow belly slider
http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/world_of_turtles/Yellow-bellied_Sliders_-_Trachemys_scripta_scripta/index.html


i could probably tell u every thing u need to no but it would be easier fore u to go to a web site just punch in how to care for a water turtle here are some sites tho that helped me prity good.

THIS SITE IS REALLY GOOD PROBABLY MY FAVE ONE
U CAN USE IS YO IDENTIFY YOUR TURTLE ALSO
http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/

some other good ones are

http://members.shaw.ca/turtles/index.htm
http://www.turtlecare.net/index.htm
http://www.tortoise.org/general/watcare.html
http://www.allturtles.com/care_sheets/water_turtle_care.php
http://www.ahc.umn.edu/rar/MNAALAS/H2Otrtl.html



and yes u can use tap water but it needs to be conditioned first with a chlorine, chloramine, heavy metal conditioner i use aqua plus a conditioner like this is a must, they also need basking lamp, a very good water filter enough water to swim in and enough land to bask in the water should be Fairly warm also and if your feeding them they usually only eat in water, u will need a test kit fore the water (amonia) (nitrite)nitate) (ph) and do regular water changes and gravel vacuums i would also pick up a good book and tank cycling and how to care for your turtle,

but the best thing you could do is return it to the pond where u got it from and if u want a turtle go buy one from the pet store

2007-03-22 23:23:37 · answer #2 · answered by brent f 2 · 0 0

If you went threw that much u should have just bought a turtle, that would have answered all ur questions.

2007-03-22 22:43:26 · answer #3 · answered by rubinov33 1 · 0 0

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