Turtle Care

[lebloom]

OK, I know this is a little off the subject but I was hoping someone out there knew a little about the painted turtle. My family has a small turtle and they are new at this and want some info about how the shell formed. Apparently the shell is changing and they don't know if this is normal. Its coming apart you could say. Got any ideas or where they could go on the web because I have been looking and I can't find a thing. Does the turtles shell molt??? :sim:

[rosemarie0007]

Hi,

I have (well actually they are my son's who is currently at college),
two five year old Florida river cooters.

I do not know for sure if it is molting or part of the growth process but my
son's turtles shed all the time and they are very healthy.

BTW if anyone wants these turtles please let me know!

-R.M.

[lebloom]

I just wondered because my neices and nephew who take care of this turtle don't know much about them.

[Dangerdoll]

BTW if anyone wants these turtles please let me know!

-R.M.
where abouts are you located?

[rosemarie0007]

Well I do know that a painted turtle is a wild species.

The two Florida river cooters we have were purchased in a pet store in Florida and brought home on a plane. I do not know if they were farm raised or not. I do know they would not survive here in Connectcut.

We have a heat lamp, (they love to bask), an air stone, and a filter meant for turtle tanks.

Painted turtles can with stand cooler temps although they still need a heat lamp, and of course something they can rest on or climb on, they should never be with out a resting place. If you keep them during the winter they might naturaly slow down.You will also notice they eat their food under water.
My boy frend and I kept a baby one for a short period of time with a violet goby and a couple gold fish. He started to chew on the fish so we released him back in to his natural habitat. We now are keeping cichlids.

As far as health and diet are concerned we feet them floating, (the sinking kind polluted the tank) pellets, (ReptoMin), and occassionaly shrimp treats
and lettuce, and sometimes small fish,, (golfish, toughies, small wild fish) We haven't had any health problems, but if they stop eating or develop soft shells or fungus around the mouth that might signal a health problem.

Turtles stil make an interesting pet, even if you observe a wild one for a short period of time and if you do release him do it before it gets too cold.
If you keep him too long he might have a difficult time surviving hs natural habitat.

[kees&fish]

I am not sure what you mean about the shell falling apart but the turtle may just be shedding his scutes which is a normal occurance, especially in young painted turtles, having raised them over the years. For a great place to ask questions along with great information sheets, go to www.turtleforum.com. You can join just like this list and they have great people on it with lots of knowledge to help out newbies like you!

[rosemarie0007]

I am in Connecticut. The infamous Bob is in NYS.
We met online. My son actually has these turtles posted, I e-mailed him and asked him for the link. He doesn't have the time for them anymore.
They can live 30 years from what I've heard.