Hi! Introduce yourselves here. :: Samantha's new owner

[annar]

Hello, everyone!

What a wonderful site!

I've had lots of mammals over the years, but I recently became the proud parent of a baby RES. I got it from a woman who bought it in Chinatown, without realizing how big it would eventually get. I've named her (I strongly suspect it's a her), Samantha. I've been reading all I can on RES care and studying all the great information and advice on this forum. So far I've had her a month and we've had a couple of bumps in the road. She got a minor sunburn from a too powerful UV lamp. She also escaped and ran away from home. With help from the advice on this forum, I was able to find her quickly. Overall, though, I think we're doing pretty well. I'm hoping to learn as much as I can and hopefully, some day I'll be able to offer great advice to other new RES owners.

[VeipaCray]

Sounds like you're on the right track. Thanks for introducing yourself and welcome to the forum. If you have a camera, post some pics, we'd love to see your turtle.

[sflemin2]

Welcome! I would love to see her pic too!

[annar]

Thanks for the welcome. I'll try to get some better pictures, but I think the dog has been counseling her on how to avoid the camera.

[VeipaCray]

awwe, cute baby turtle. You unfortunately won't be able to identify the sex of your turtle until it's about 4" of shell. In exchange for the camera shy lessons, your turtle may teach your dog how to more effectively beg for treats.

[annar]

I had read that, but there's really no clue before it gets to a whole 4 inches, huh? Oh, well back to just calling him/her, Sam for a couple of years. And, yes, it's amazing how quickly they figure out the begging thing. Both turtle and dog have already perfected it.

[VeipaCray]

You might start to see signs before 4", but definitely not now as small as he she is. Yeah my wife named our RES "Mo" because we didn't know either. However if you catch your turtle asking the dog how to get to the mall... that's a pretty good indication that you have a female

[annar]

However if you catch your turtle asking the dog how to get to the mall... that's a pretty good indication that you have a female

Sam's already run away from home once, so for all I know, that's where he/she was headed. I guess if he/she starts trying to dominate the remote control, I'll know it's a male.

[VeipaCray]

[steve]

Welcome to the site! I'm almost 100% wrong when guessing early

[sflemin2]

"she" is so cute!! Take lots of pictures..because they dont stay little lol! I only have one picture of mine as babies . Digital cameras werent so cheap back then! I thought I had a boy and a girl. They have been through a few names lol

[annar]

I went through a couple of names for males and females, but when I found out I'd have to wait a few years before I'd know the gender, I settled on Sam. If it's a girl, it's short for Samantha. Either way, I won't have to rename her/him, because it'll always be Sam.

I've seen some of the pictures of your girls, sflemin. They're beautiful. I know it's coming, but I have such a hard time picturing Sam that big. I hope he/she turns out as pretty.

[sflemin2]

Thanks! Raina is much prettier than Sylvie but Syvlie is so sweet and gentle. Raina is MEAN.

Sam is a good choice for a name! I'd hope for a boy if I were you! They dont get so big and you dont have to worry about eggs!

[annar]

I don't mind the size, but I can see how the egg thing would definitely be nerve wracking. A few years from now, you guys will be among the first to know if Sam's a boy or a girl.

[annar]

You guys were right! I check in periodically and read posts, but I hadn't realized it had been so long since I actually posted. I just had to let you know you were right. I was completely wrong about Samantha. She is definitely all boy. The long nails were the big clue until he actually showed his penis. That was pretty much the clincher. So Samantha is Sam after all.