Hi! Introduce yourselves here. :: New From California

[drillr00]

Hey everyone! I've been a turtle owner for about 7 years now but until recently have been reading more about them. After researching more on this forum and others I've realized how bad I've been treating them and I feel terrible about it.

I have many things to change about their setup including their lighting, size of tank, and diet. I have lots to read about.

Also, I know this is a RES forum but maybe someone can help me identify this turtle. A friend gave him to me about the same time I got my other turtles ~7 years ago. He found him on his lawn while he was mowing the grass....

I'll try taking some close ups of him in the morning. He has a really long tail though.

20 gallon with marineland HOT 250






my 3 RES in a 50 gallon with Marineland magnum 350


Basking area I made cutting teflon sheets.


I hide all the live plants behind that big rock but you can't see it in the pictures since they blend in with the background.


Anyways, I am very open to any suggestions. I just want my turtles to have a very happy healthy life.

[Linus]

I can't tell what kind of turtle it is. Could you get a closeup?

[drillr00]

[marisa]

Welcome to the forum. I'm wondering if it isn't some type of Pacific Pond Turtle (there are a few subspecies). If it is, it's considered to be a protected species in your state.

[Raphulk]

also! gravel = bad - for many reasons
you may want to consider taking the gravel out because your turtle can easily eat one

[drillr00]

Welcome to the forum. I'm wondering if it isn't some type of Pacific Pond Turtle (there are a few subspecies). If it is, it's considered to be a protected species in your state.

Hmmm he does seem to have some very close resemblance to some pictures on the internet. I'll check it out.

also! gravel = bad - for many reasons
you may want to consider taking the gravel out because your turtle can easily eat one

I've watched the turtles before and at first they took a bite of the rock then spit it out. I haven't seem them do it since but I'm going to put in some very large river rocks in it to replace them.

[Caphits]

Good plan. Even if you see them spit some out, they are still totally eating some of them. I bet you will still see gravel after you take it all out.(Poopin rocks)

[Linus]

Maybe some kind of Diamondback Turtle.

[joeybsmooth]

Welcome, and don't worry most people don't no they are doing bad jobs with their turtles. I mean if you read some off the e stuff at pet shops you would think you are doing pass what you should.

I went to this one pet store, and they had to pancake sized turtles in a 10 gallon, no light and the later was not even over there shells.

[robert]

Welcome New From California. I'm a newer new than you are (say that
fast twenty times, ha ha). Your set up is very impressive. It is clear
that you walk the talk (or per turtles, crawl the drawl--whatever!) Your
unidentified pet appears to be a Western Pond, one of only two indiginous
species here in Oregon. We may not harvest them (yes, isn't that an
awful way to put it) here, but I have heard that there is some sort of
"grandfather" clause if you already have one. Overall, turtles are more
tame than one might think, and may not adapt again to the wild if they
were bred and/or raised from a hatchling up. Land turtles are really my
only interest at the moment, I have a baby box turtle and am available
in my county to be a "foster" parent should the need arise. (It actually
does happen). Well, closing for now. Would love to hear from you.
Robert (and "Demetri"). Best of everything

[TurtleLover_S&B]

Welcome!

[taurusgirl]

welcome

[Jbenjamin_kuN22]

i can confirm about the gravel issue. even if they have no interest in eating them sometimes when they are going for a goldfish pretty hard they will grab some gravel at the same time. my RES were kinda wierd... they would eat gravel on purpose... my largest RES ate an antimicrobal stone bigger than gravel. anyways well it seems to be working fine for your turts....

[Linus]

Looking back at this topic, that is def. a Pacific Pond Turtle.