bullfrogs/turtle question

[04cobratorchred]

We had a pond in our back yard for the last 19 years and we just moved 3 days ago well when I looked into the pond there were tadpoles every were. I know they are going to be bullfrogs. Well since it was our last day there I keep them and put them in a 3-gallon tank. They are very small I think they are about a week old. I am just wondering what I should feed them and how long it will take for them to become frogs. I have been giving them fish food and it seems to be working very well.

Also my grandpa found a painted turtle when he was walking in the woods. So he gave it to me I have it in a 55-gallon tank its all dirt and has different plants in there with a pretty big water bowl. I believe its a red eared slider its about the size of a quarter. My grandpa had it in the 55-gallon for about 2 weeks before he gave it to me and it is doing great but I am just wondering if it needs more water. And what I should feed it. I have been putting different things in there like ants, flies, worms, and just other little bugs like that. So I was wondering if I should try feeding it anything else. Thanks for any help.

[OrionGirl]

For the tads, keep up with the food, and maybe consider adding something meatier, like blood worms, daphnia, and brine shrimp. You'll need to move them to a bigger setup, as tads will cannibilize smaller tads if they can.

On the turtle--bad call. Collecting turtles smaller than 8 inches is illegal. There are lots of sites on their care, but removing a young from the wild is not good.

[04cobratorchred]

Thank you do you know how long it will take for the tads to become frogs? and thanks for the info on the turtle, i had no idea you couldn't keep them if they were that small.

[sivic]

about 6-21 days (average!) after being fertilized, the egg will hatch.
Then, 7 to 10 days after the tadpole has hatched, it will begin to swim around and feed on algae.
After about 4 weeks, the gills start getting grown over by skin, until they eventually disappear.
After about 6 to 9 weeks, little tiny legs start to sprout.
By 12 weeks, the tadpole has only a teeny tail stub and looks like a miniature version of the adult frog. Soon, it will leave the water
By between 12 to 16 weeks, depending on water and food supply, the frog has completed the full growth cycle.


http://allaboutfrogs.org/weird/general/cycle.html

[Watcher74]

Collecting turtles smaller than 8 inches is illegal.

I just read a couple weeks ago that only 'green' turtles(IE water turtles) that small were illegal to catch. Because of samonella(sp?) that they may be carriers of.

Plus I read less than 4 inches. Maybe it differs state-to-state?

But not other types like box turtles and the like.

[04cobratorchred]

Thanks for your help guys the tads are doing great they are eating the fish food really well. i just feed the turtle some bloodworms tonight and he looked to be very happy with them.

[SA14mars]

I have kept wild turtles for over 15 years. The turtle law isn't a law in some states, only a guideline. Many pet stores sell yearling Red Eared Sliders (RES) and there is no way to prevent baby turtles from carrying salmenela even if they are "farm raised". So, always always always wash your hand immediately after handling anything a turtle has been around and keep a lid of some kind on the tank if you have any free-roaming pets (dogs/cats) or young children (even babies try to bite).

More to the point, for a RES about the size of a quarter take several bricks and fence off a little area you can flood. If you don't want to get the soil wet use a small pan with a thin layer of gravel and bury it in the soil). in a 55 gallon tank, a 2 inch deep pool covering 1/3 of the tank would be optium. include a flat rock sloped off one side as a ladder and another rock or log sitting above the water for the turtle to bask on. be sure there is a strong light source, preferably sunlight or a reptile heat lamp. small land plants may be a nice touch, and provide a refuge for snacks like small crickets (a screen lid may be required to keep these inside the tank and not running amuck in the house) and other bugs. fish flakes are a good starting food for a yearling. I would also recommend tossing in a few pellets of ReptoTreat Suprema (made by Tetra, redish-brown can) until he or she is big enough to handle a larger sized pool. Alternately, ReptoMin floating food sticks (Tetra, green can with an RES on the front) broken in half are also good. Your RES may grow exponentially or it may not - some do, some don't (I've had one of each). If it does not, it will grow to about 2 inches (shell length). If it does, it could get huge. My RES is a good seven inches long shell-wise and well over a foot with her head and feet sticking all the way out. I have her and another turtle in a 55 gallong all-aquatic tank (too small and not properly set up, but I am saving up for a new tank). if you need anymore help feel free to reply or send me a PM. good luck with your new turtle. cheers!

-Charles

EDIT: I'm trying to double-check about the law, will let you know if I find out otherwise.

[turtle_boy]

Hi
I am about to buy turtle but i dont want big ones. Is their a breed that grows only up to about 12cm?

[turtle_boy]

how big is your turtle? you nead to sort out its aquarium i needs more water about 2/3rds should be water and a basking area. Do you have a heater lights and filter? you nead them