General Care Discussion :: Adult Turtle care

[Michele108]

Hello,
I just adopted a 5 year old slider, that has not been kept in the optimal conditions. 29gal tank half full with floating basking ramp. That's it. No heater, no basking light, no filter. Surprisingly, she seems generally healthy. I'm not a complete newbie. I've kept reptiles for decades, just never an adult turtle. First thing I did when I brought her home today was provide a basking light. My concern is that she has been under it ALL DAY. She's moving around, splashing occasionally, and appears relaxed with her legs all stretched out soaking up the rays. Can they spend too long under the lamp? Or is she just enjoying the heat lamp for a change? I only had a 50W lamp handy, and I've got it about 15" above her. Heading out tomorrow to get a bigger enclosure and some other supplies for her.

Also, she has only been fed frozen fish. Tilapia, whitefish, etc. I know this is not a good diet. Going to work on getting her to eat other stuff, but at 5 years old, I'm sure this will be a challenge. Any suggestions on this would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance!
Michele

[steve]

I think she's finally enjoying some warmth. How big is she and what are the water/basking temps? I say as long as she's not up there when the light is off, it's fine. Do you have a UVB for her?

I'd move her to a good staple pellet first, you should find Omega One in most stores. Also pick up a veggie clip while you're there, you can slowly test various greens with her.

[Michele108]

She's about 8". All I had here was an old 50W zoo med repti basking bulb. Pretty sure it's not uvb. But until I get one, figured something was better than nothing. Tank water is about 70-75° didn't want to leave the floating glass thermometer in there. I know how rough turtles can get. Will be grabbing a thermometer for her basking site tomorrow. Should be in the 80° range. I know that's about what it gives me in my snake's enclosure.

I tried some of my Oscar's pellets today, just to see if she'd show any interest in a floating pellet. She didn't. But she chowed on the fish they sent with her. I gave her some romaine and spinach too. Not really interested. Gonna be a challenge for sure. I read several articles that suggested feeding in a separate enclosure. But it wasn't very specific. Do they need to feed in water? Can I use a decent size storage container for a feeding area?

[steve]

Do you have an infrared thermometers you use with your herps? If she's generally healthy and has an appetite, then just keep sticking to it and she'll cave in. Yes, they need to be in water to eat (on some rare occassions, they will eat out of water or grab something on land and drag it into the water). Since she's adjusting to everything right now, I'd just feed her in her usual tank.

[Michele108]

My snakes have always had two regular analog dial thermometers in their enclosures to monitor the warm and cool temperatures. To be honest, I've never thought of using an infrared thermometer to check their temperatures. Going to have to invest in one.

She ate good last night, perhaps too much. lol Slept in her water, and is back on the basking spot about half hour after it turned on this morning. Didn't touch the greens. Not surprised, but we'll keep working on it. Stupid question, I know, but... How do you get them to eat shredded carrots, apples, sweet potatoes, etc IN the water? I'm thinking this is just going to float around everywhere and make a giant mess. I've cared for juvenile turtles at the pet shop, but usually they just ate pellets, feeders, mealworms, earthworms, greens, plants, etc. Everything I'm reading sounds like adults need a lot more vegetation. Just trying to figure out how to provide it without fouling the water too much.

I'm going to grab her a storage container/stock tank today. I hate her being in this little tank. Not the perfect enclosure, but it'll work to give her some more space until I can build or buy something better. I'll see if I can find a UVB light, filter, heater locally, if not, will be ordering online tonight. And now I'm going to have to find an infrared thermometer. That is a great idea!

Thanks for your help.

[steve]

Definitely don't try to overfeed A lot of times when you place food in there, they like to look at you so I usually have to lead them around with my finger.

[Michele108]

Steve,
Our local shops didn't have the omega one pellets, but they did have the Omega One frozen cubes. SHE ATE IT!!!! I was so excited! I think we're gonna be ok! She had 3 cubes. Was slow to get the third so we stopped there. Thanks again for the input.
Michele