Hi! Introduce yourselves here. :: Thanks for Saving Bert & Ernie's Lives!

[Martha]

I am so grateful for this website! I didn't even know what kind of turtles Bert and Ernie are until looking at all of the photos in the photo gallery. I bought my little cuties (about 1" each) at a flea market about 3 months ago. The turtle breeder had about 400 little baby turtles in a giant aquarium in the back of his truck. I just thought that they were cute. So, for $15 I got 2 turtles, food and a tiny little plastic "lagoon" with a plastic palm tree. I thought that they would look great on my coffee table. They had maybe about 1" of water to walk around in.

I ran across this website last Monday, and I of course freaked out to learn that I was basically abusing them with their current living situation! I had no idea of the care that they required. I was totally misinformed by the guy that sold them to me. If I could find him... I'd report him to animal control. I'm happy to report that $250 later Bert & Ernie are living in the lap of luxury. They are no longer a coffee table decoration. And, in the next year I am planning to upgrade them to a 50 gallon tank.

Many thanks from Bert & Ernie!

[sonyj]

Welcome to the forum. I'm so glad that you are finding the info that you need to raise healthy RES. Let us know if you have any questions.

If you take any pics of them, we'd love to see them.

[Gracie8899]

Martha-My husband and I found 3 baby abandoned turtles in neighbors driveway in a 10 gal tank filling up with cold rain water - I immediatly (sp) started researching -The smallest one did not make it (tears in eyes)-he was already very sick when we found them- but this site also helped me so much in the care of them and now my other 2 are doing really good- before this I had no clue about turtles -I learned so much here -the people here are great and dont make u feel dumb. I love this place-glad to hear your babies are doing so good. I love to just sit and watch mine-sometimes have to be aware of time or laundry does not get done LOL - WELCOME

[Martha]

Hi Gracie - I'm so sorry that your little one didn't make it, but I am thrilled to hear that the other are doing well. Thanks for welcoming me! I'm finding myself watching them when I too have laundry piling up. They are so much more interesting now that I have them in the correct environment. Bert is a little bit more timid than Ernie. I also put a pregnant guppy in the tank and she delivered about 25 tiny babies. The turtles haven't touched a one. But, Ernie did eat a giant mesquito eater that just happened to land in the tank. That was odd to watch! Those suckers are just as big as the turtles!

[Martha]

Sonja - thanks for the welcome! They are doing wonderful right now. I've already picked out a spot for a 100 gallon aquarium. Good thing my fiance is so supportive!