I’m new here and so far I am enjoying this site. I would like to share some of my experiences with Tuddle, my male RES, my son left it for me to care for him (he was 16 at the time and you know how teens are). At the time I knew nothing of Tuddle I didn’t even know what gender he was. Anywho, I bought a plastic tub at Wallymarts, placed some small stones on the bottom with some store bought formations and plastic floating flowers. BTW, one of the funniest things, albeit, sad was his mating ritual with a large stone in the tub. He seemed happy enough and wasn’t really much trouble except to clean his living area and fun to watch feed. He was a lil skidish when handled so I didn’t mess with him much. About a year later he was growing quite fast and no longer wanted the pellets and dry krill I’d been feeding him. Unbeknownst at the time RES don’t eat as much during winter months. So I started to feed him tilapia which gave way to shrimp and later steak - he does NOT like catfish and have not given him chicken. He grew real FAST and was eating a whole large shrimp at a time. I was concerned he wasn’t getting the appropriate vitamins contained in the pellets so I tried feeding them again to no avail -I’ve read here to use some tuna in water for flavoring and will be trying it, just gota watch the fingers you know. Three days into the transition and he looked at me sorta saying, “hey YOU eat’em”, then a stern look from him “I’m not eating that crap” which later turned into “dontcha love me no more?” with a homely look. So he won and is still on a better diet than most folks. He went almost 10 days without eating Though he had the pellets in the water. He has gown to where I bought a larger plastic tub (and washed very well ) measuring 34L 16W 12 D and quite inexpensive. I put about 4 of water with water treatment and low enough so that he can sun himself completely out of the water.
As he grew I thought I’d let him run around the patio, which he enjoyed. There is a 4 step from the patio the house and thought that would keep him outside. Not Tuddle. He quickly learned how to crawl up and was exploring the whole house. He used to hide in a corner under the sofa that was hard to get at lest I coaxed him out with a broom - gently of course - because he was, after all an aquatic animal. One day as I watched him crawl up the step he fell backwards and landed belly up. I FREEKED and so did Tuddle and I quickly turned him backside up. IMHO, that event changed our relationship. There seemed to be a level of trust now not there before. Since he used to come into the house I would run fresh water and give him a bath sorta-speak, he did not like that. So I stopped.
One day he got lost OMG he’s gona die out of the water but I left caution to the wind and next morning I started the search again. The only place he could be at was in the very corner of the counter near the dishwasher. CRAP. I’d hafta take the whole washer apart to get him out. So I start getting my tools together to get to this now turtle soup protagonist out of there. Well sir, as I started to take the washer apart he pokes his head out and with a smirk in his face seemed to be saying “looking for me?” GEEESH I could not stop laughing. One because I was happy and two, because not being a pet person, now found myself talking to a freeging TURTLE
Fasts forward - now, knowing that he could spend the night out of water, I sometimes let him sleep in the house under my bed which he seems to enjoy.
Now, if you’ve read this far here comes the good part for growing your relationship with your RES. Yes, you heard me right, a non pet person establishing a relationship with a turtle. Geeesh.
About a year ago, I noticed Tuddle would follow me around when he was in the house and sometimes would come if I called him. So, one day I lay down on the rug and called him, he came to my arm and paused. He was prolly just a scared as I was. I kept saying “Now don’t bite me you lil @#$^%. Or it will deff be soup for you. He didn’t, he crawled up on my arm and rested there for about 30 seconds or so. He would crwl off and turn around and do it again. If I moved farther away he would follow and do it again. WOW How kewl is dat Anywho, now days I call him and he comes - unless he knows I’m putting him back in the water and doesn’t wana go. He follows me around like he wants to play and doesn’t stop till I get on the ground and let him crawl all over me. Up on the arm onto my belly and if I’m on a pillow on my head.
Soooo now you know how far you can go with your turtle, maybe farther. Here boy, go fetch, SPEAK
Lastly about all these “must have to have a RES”. I live in Central Fl. If temps go bellow 60F he comes inside. If it’s hot I cover the tub on the side with the top so the water doesn’t get supper hot. - geeesh just use common sense. Other than feeding him there isn’t all the expense people tell ya to have. Now, go tkae your RES for a walk and thanx fer listening.
Rico
