What kind of turtle is this?

smyke

smyke

newbie
Oct 9, 2007
509
0
16
Connecticut
Real Name
Mike
Hello,

My wife found this little guy on the lawn outside of her work and brought it home to show the kids.
We will most likely release it but wanted to know what kind of turtle it is. My guess is its a little snapper but I know you guys will tell me 100%.

Thank you kindly.

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Most definitely NOT a snapper, and it IS most definitely a Painted ssp.

I would have to say Eastern also, but not 100% sure on that.

Kristina
 
well, that shows you how much I know about turtles. when I googled baby snappers in some pictures the shell looked very similar but... now that I see what Easter Painted looks like it makes sense.
I am glad this forum exists. :)

should I keep it?
 
Eastern painted. Only keep it if you have a large tank to devote only to it; turtles are very messy, and so are their tanks. Largest ones I've seen wild were about 12" long. They most likely get at least 16".
 
mszumins said:
should I keep it?
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I have had "baby turtles" of different species on several occasions and really enjoyed them.
However when they get larger (if they live that long, most die within the first week due to poor environment) they are very messy and require diligent tank maintenance and attention to their health and well being. They also must have a tank large enough for them. Not one of those "turtle kits" you see in the LFS. The babies can get sick easy, ie; respiratory problems, puffy closed eyes, and soft shells to name a few. CLEAN water and diet VARIETY and a good basking area that provides UV light can greatly help in keeping a healthy turtle. They need vitamin supplements and calcium to grow strong shells. Don't feed them those "feeder fish" you get at the LFS, It will only lead to trouble.

Here is a good site that may help you to make up your mind to keep him or not.
http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Care/caresheet-eastern_painted.htm

If you decide to keep him I wish you much success with him.
:thm:
 
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I would let him go, in as near to the exact same spot as you found him as possible. If you want a pet turtle, buy a Stinkpot, that only gets a few inches big, from a captive breeder. They run about $15.

Kristina
 
Dwarf Puffers said:
Eastern painted. Only keep it if you have a large tank to devote only to it; turtles are very messy, and so are their tanks. Largest ones I've seen wild were about 12" long. They most likely get at least 16".
Click to expand...

the page referenced by Gill Roy mentiones their size being 4"-6" females and 6"-8" males.

I will not be able to provide him with a 75gallon tank, but I can put him in my parents pond. is that a good idea?

he is only 1.5" at the most now. should I just release him now or keep him in a smaller tank (10g) and set him free when he grows a little?
 
mszumins said:
I will not be able to provide him with a 75gallon tank, but I can put him in my parents pond. is that a good idea?

he is only 1.5" at the most now. should I just release him now or keep him in a smaller tank (10g) and set him free when he grows a little?
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Rather than keep him to only be released later I would let him go now. He would not have learned the natural way of getting his food in captivity and would suffer upon release.
To let him go in the pond you mentioned is okay and more than likely would cause no harm, however I agree that he should be released in the same area as he was found.
 
Let him go where he was found. Nature will give him the best care. If you make him dependent on you, he will just starve later.

Kristina
 
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