Baby water turtle questions?

Question

I have bought 2 baby water turtle about a week ago. I don't really know what kind of turtle they are. I think they might be red eared sliders but instead of red on the sides of their head it's light brown. Is that any thing I should worry about? Their shells width are about 1.5". One of them is slightly smaller then the other and has a softer shell. I do provide them with a basking area and calcium in their diets. I have noticed about 3 days ago something like skin was peeling off from the slightly larger turtle's neck. Is it caused by shedding? I also want to know if they are sick. How can I tell if they become sick? If you have any answers please answer. I don't know much about turtle so I’d appreciate your help since I want to provide them I the best possible life.

I have also noticed my smaller turtle won't bask

Answer 1

ya?

Answer 2

Basically, you need a complete and accurate care guide.

Try http://www.redearslider.com for a good guide for Red-ears and their relatives.

The peeling skin is probably shedding, but that can be amplified by stress. Good cares and diet reduce stress greatly.

Remember, a turtle wants a few basic things:
- big swimming spaces, the bigger the better
- clean, warm water around 75-80F
- good diet
- a good basking site or two, warmed to about 90F
- good sunlight-like lighting

The above site can tell you how to accomplish all of this.

Good luck!

Answer 3

your turtles will need full UV spectrum lighting. if they do not have the UV then irregarless of how much calcuim you give them they wont be able to absorb it without the light. a calcuim deficiency would account for a soft shell.

sliders grow large, males up to 8 inches, females up to 14 inches. you will need a large size aquarium for them when they are grown. you need a good filtration system, a good tank heater, a basking area with a seperate basking lilght, and the full UV spectrum lighting.

Answer 4

I had two turtles too and one had a soft shell and it ended up dying but now I use repti -cal.It helps build up calcium.You can get it at a pet store that is how where I got it.You dip the food in it.It dissolves in water though.Good Luck!!!!!!!!!!