General Care Discussion :: URGENT HELP: FIRST TIME TURTLE OWNER

[melrai]

Hi Everyone!

I hope everyone and their little turtle babies are doing swell! I had a few, ultra first-timer questions about my turtles.

They are currently about 4" now, I would say even just ALITTTTTLE over 4". They seem to be doing alright (as I said, I've never had a turtle (let alone two) before so this is fairly new to me). Here are the questions I have...

1. How do I know when they are "adult" vs. "hatchlings" - This is more so I know what to feed them. Does their diet change much as they grow older? I haven't given them LIVE prey yet, they have been eating ReptoMin pellets and some sea lettuce when I can get my hands on some plants (which they seem to LOVE - especially Steak).

2. How can I tell their gender?

3. Is not giving them LIVE prey REALLY that big of a deal? I would love to stick to a species appropriate diet as much as I can, but before I start this, I would love to get some information first-hand, but some of you's who do feed them a species appropriate diet.

4. This is where I start to get concerned. They seem to be shedding their shell? Like, the borders of their shells are peeling and they have a little white spots along the edge. Is this normal?

5. I currently have a 20 gallon tank...I understand that I now need 40 gallon (but hell, are they ever expensive!!). I was wondering if, because I have two...I would need 80? Do you double that?

I look forward to hearing from you guys

Thanks!!

[ljapa]

Welcome! You've come to the right place.

1. At 4" they are basically considered adult, and can be sexed. Their diet at this point should have more vegetable matter and less protein (pellet, live food). Check out the nutrition section on the main site for excellent info, including recommended plants.

http://www.redearslider.com/index_nutrition.html

2. By tail length, cloaca location and claw size. There's a great write up with pictures here

http://www.redearslider.com/determining_sex.html

3. There are many here who do not offer live prey, and a number who do. Either way should be fine for your turtles.

4. The rule I've seen is 10 gallons per inch for the first and maybe as low as 5 per inch for the second. So, at least 60. However, they will quickly outgrow that, so you're better off buying more now than getting just the right size and upgrading in six months. However, be prepared to have to separate. Sometimes turtles just don't get along. So, you may eventually need two tanks, or you may not. It seems to come down to personality from what I've read, though reports are that males can become more territorial than females.



4.

[ataraxiamb]

Hi melrai and welcome! I concur with ljapa's responses. I just wanted to add that when you upgrade, you may consider getting a tank larger than 40 gallons. Your turtle needs that size at a minimum now, and he's certain to continue growing.