View Full Version : Mississippi Mud Turtle(Kinosternon subrubrum hippocrepis)
Sunshinessmile
06-10-2009, 12:15 PM
Hi!
I have been approved for adoption of an adult male Mississippi Mud turtle! :dance2:
Im really excited and have been planning! I will most likely get him at the end of june as he is 2hrs away and I have to make the drive!
This weekend I will start his tank. So far hes getting a large rubbermaid container, a tetra whisper 60, a heater, 2 lamps and a DIY "hood" hes a bitty little guy, only 4" !
I will post some pics as soon as i get something set up!
Ideas for decoration are welcome!
jackiomy
06-10-2009, 12:28 PM
http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Care/cs-mismud.htm
Vicious_Fish
06-10-2009, 1:05 PM
These guys like to climb and explore their tank in search of food and such. Have plenty of obstacles for it to interact with like driftwood, caves and rocks to climb on. Some floating water plants are also nice to have. I keep anacharis and water lettuce in my turtle tub for them to eat and rest on.
Sunshinessmile
06-10-2009, 1:15 PM
http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Care/cs-mismud.htm
been there!!! thanks tho!
VF thanks for the plant suggestion! I was wondering what kinds i should put in... the LFS has really really nice anacharis.
Would the clay plant pots be a good hide? I have a bunch laying around that he would easily fit into to explore. some that would sit right at water level which i have decided to be between 8-10" I was told he's a pretty bad swimmer... lol so lots of rest spots are what im going for.
Vicious_Fish
06-10-2009, 1:26 PM
VF thanks for the plant suggestion! I was wondering what kinds i should put in... the LFS has really really nice anacharis.
Would the clay plant pots be a good hide? I have a bunch laying around that he would easily fit into to explore. some that would sit right at water level which i have decided to be between 8-10" I was told he's a pretty bad swimmer... lol so lots of rest spots are what im going for.
Yes clay pots will work great. If you're careful you can even take the bottom off of them so the Mud turtle can swim right on through. Just make sure you buy new ones. Old ones that had plants in them can have fertilizer soaked into the clay.
Yeah they're not the best swimmers. They mainly walk along the bottom. Make sure you have a shallow area for it to rest near the surface. I have driftwood at an angle in my tank so my musk and mud turtles can basically walk/climb to the surface to get air with ease.
Sunshinessmile
06-10-2009, 1:38 PM
good to hear! the pots are BRAND new and have been collecting dust in the shed!
how does one go about taking the bottom off a pot?
Vicious_Fish
06-10-2009, 1:41 PM
good to hear! the pots are BRAND new and have been collecting dust in the shed!
how does one go about taking the bottom off a pot?
Heh...very carefully! I was able to remove the back of them by placing them upside down on a flat level surface and then carefully tap them with a hammer.
Sunshinessmile
06-10-2009, 1:44 PM
oh boy... its a good thing they are cheap... ill have to try... :uhoh:
Sunshinessmile
06-10-2009, 1:53 PM
woo! it worked! i scored the bottom inside then used the hammer and screwdriver to tap it out!
Vicious_Fish
06-10-2009, 2:29 PM
Excellent work! :thumbsup:
Sunshinessmile
06-10-2009, 2:38 PM
if i wanted to use rock in the tank... where would be the best place to get it... the orange store(HD)?
Vicious_Fish
06-10-2009, 7:03 PM
I guess you could go to Home Depot and look for slate. You can probably even get them at a garden center.
kyryah
06-10-2009, 7:03 PM
Broken slate tiles work well, too :D
Kristina
Sunshinessmile
06-10-2009, 8:03 PM
do I have to use slate? or can I use granite that I found out back? They were brought in for the man made lake out back there is a huge pile of left overs... really really nice pieces.
Well I bought the containers tonight and I have a lay out in mind... if I wanted a "land" area with a basking rock but also wanted to plant around it what should I plant into and what sorts of plants?
Ill draw up a pic really quick....
Sunshinessmile
06-10-2009, 8:56 PM
its a rough drawing i know... lol
but the idea is there...
Sunshinessmile
06-11-2009, 1:22 PM
I don't have him yet but I thought I would post the pictures that they sent me of him... im super excited!
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Vicious_Fish
06-11-2009, 2:05 PM
They're pretty nice looking Kinosternon species. Here's my male Red-Cheek Mud Turtle, Kinosternon cruentatum.
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc213/The_Interloper/Reptiles/Red-Cheek-Mud-Turtle3.gif
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc213/The_Interloper/Reptiles/Red-Cheek-Mud-Turtle5.gif
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc213/The_Interloper/Reptiles/Red-Cheek-Mud-Turtle3-1.gif
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc213/The_Interloper/Reptiles/Red-Cheek-Mud-Turtle.gif