Does this turtle look healthy? it seems sorta pale <image at> http://hometown.aol.com/psychic43/turtle1.jpg

Answer 1

gee..
i read like 4 books about turtles at barned and nobles.
they say that just cause they look healthy doesnt mean they are. good signes:bright eyes,no "soft shell" rugular droppings and has its mouth closed, also eat`s regularly

Answer 2

That's a Diamondback terrapin, but the shell is beginning to turn up which indicates poor diet/poor uvb. Get a good uvb lamp, the uvb/heat lamp combos work great. And get that turtle on a good varied diet. If it's a CB (captive bred) turtle that was raised in freshwater the salt is not an issue, but adding a bit to any aquarium is helpful. If this was a WC (wild caught) turtle it needs to be transitioned to freshwater, but should be done over time. Go to http://www.chelonia.org/Articles/Malaclemyscare.htm for good terrapin care info.
Julie
Director, Turtle Rescue of Long Island

Answer 3

This is a diamondback terrapin. It's perfectly healthy. Please look into the legality of owning it in your state, I know that they're a protected species here in Florida and you aren't supposed to have one without a permit. They're a brackish water turtle, so they have slightly different requirements than regular freshwater turtles. Please find yourself a good current care and maintenance book or reliable website and learn about your turtle. We have permits for two of these and they are amazing animals, but if you found it, I urge you to put it back in the wild so that it can do what it's supposed to do, which is grow up to make more of it's kind.

Answer 4

What state do you live in and did you buy this turtle? This is a diamond back terrrapin and is illegal to own because they are endanger. Please let this turtle go it is a salt water turtle that eats fish, crabs and mullusks. It also needs a UVB light, a basking spot and light. But you really need to let this turtle go in a salt water marsh because they are ENDANGERED please let it go.

And Julie above is right the shell is beginning to turn up which does indicates poor diet and poor uvb lighting.

Answer 5

Healthy Diamondback Terrapin. Are you ready to care for this marsh/brackish water species? They are a little tricky in some ways, especially if it is wild-caught.

http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Care/cs-northdbt.htm

Answer 6

no its just the kind of turtle it is. I've seen turtles like that but I don't remember the name!