General Care Discussion :: Having a new hatchling RES with my 4 month old

[riverfront12]

Hey guys. Generally, I just want to ask if it is safe to have a 1-2week old RES with a 4 month old one. My first turt is a male and he bashes anything in his way. He's a badass like that lol. I was in the pet store an hour ago and I saw a bunch of RES hacthlings. I was very tempted to buy one but more concerned for the new guy and my bully RES. The older one might pick on him or even bite the poor fella. Or if someone from them has a bad condition like respiratory problems then they might share it which I don't want to happen.

I had a bad experience before with when I got my first RES. Also 1-2 weeks old. The little guy died and I don't want that to happen.

Any suggestions regarding my situation? Similar experience? Thanks in advance fellas.

[riverfront12]

Oh and I also read the basic care before posting this. I just want to know the experiences from other turtle owners.

[steve]

The size difference should be OK, however you'd want to make sure both were eating and healthy before introduction. There's also a lot of cons when dealing with multiple turtles when the get larger, so you should be aware of that.

[riverfront12]

The basic care section clearly stated not to mix the big ones with hatchlings. How do you determine if the hatchling is healthy before buying anyway? Having trouble with little fellas. I don't want to risk the health of my first turtle as well.

[Kansasslider]

They should be ok together just watch them as much as you can.Turtles are social critters and Actually prefer company. I have two different species in the same tank and the get along great. I will post if one eats the other! Got thinking and forgot your question. Does it look healthy? I would say buy one and try it.

[riverfront12]

Hey Kansasslider. What's the other specie with your turt? And how old is your turt? Yes keep me posted :p That's my problem. I really can't say if the hatchling or healthy or not. First of all, they are cramped in a small tank. No water to swim on and it is dirty. Poor babies. Although most of them doesn't have puffy eyes, soft shells, injured beaks or other physical injuries. They look pretty active despite their flimsy habitat. I want to at least rescue one.

[Kansasslider]

I have a Mississippi map and a res. they are just over a year old.

[steve]

The basic care section clearly stated not to mix the big ones with hatchlings. How do you determine if the hatchling is healthy before buying anyway? Having trouble with little fellas. I don't want to risk the health of my first turtle as well.

A 2 week old RES and a 4 month old one are still hatchlings. When dealing with size differences, lets say there is a 2" gap. A 1" turtle should not be with a 3" turtle or larger, however an adult that is 5" and 7" should be fine.

As for determining health, new turtles should be quarantined to make sure they are healthy, eating and free of parasites.

[riverfront12]

I have a Mississippi map and a res. they are just over a year old.

I see. I might experiment on this one. Two res

[riverfront12]

The basic care section clearly stated not to mix the big ones with hatchlings. How do you determine if the hatchling is healthy before buying anyway? Having trouble with little fellas. I don't want to risk the health of my first turtle as well.

A 2 week old RES and a 4 month old one are still hatchlings. When dealing with size differences, lets say there is a 2" gap. A 1" turtle should not be with a 3" turtle or larger, however an adult that is 5" and 7" should be fine.

As for determining health, new turtles should be quarantined to make sure they are healthy, eating and free of parasites.

Thanks for the general ideas Steve. Great help. Quarantine first eh

[justatwinturbo]

Turtles are social critters and Actually prefer company.

This, is the exact opposite actually. Turtles are not social at all, and much prefer to be completely alone. Just because turtles get along when forced to live with each other inside an enclosure, does not mean they are social, or prefer company. The only time they prefer to be together, is to mate. Other than that, they only tolerate others if they have no choice.

[Kansasslider]

Turtles are social critters and Actually prefer company.

This, is the exact opposite actually. Turtles are not social at all, and much prefer to be completely alone. Just because turtles get along when forced to live with each other inside an enclosure, does not mean they are social, or prefer company. The only time they prefer to be together, is to mate. Other than that, they only tolerate others if they have no choice.

I disagree with that. I watch turtles in the wild and they prefer to bask together.There can be many large rocks in the river and they will gather on one. Same thing with logs in the lake they tend to bask together on the same log even if there are more to choose from. These are just my on observations .

[Kansasslider]

Just something I found

[riverfront12]

Definitely want to try out a new buddy for my 4 month old res.

[justatwinturbo]

Do they bask together because they prefer it, or because they all have the same instinct that drives them to the closest, most easy to access basking spot? These animals are not stupid, they know what time of day brings the correct lighting to certain areas...I have caught animals in the morning at one basking spot, and evening at another, far away from the one they were at. They're not choosing to be together, they just all have the same idea. Fact is, these animals lack the part of the brain that is needed for social behavior, but they do indeed learn, and develop repetative behavior. Kind of like sea turtles, all coming to the same beach to lay eggs...they're not doing it to be social, they're doing it because of instinct. There is only one species (that I know of) that displays any kind of social behavior, and that's the african helmeted turtle (pelomedusa subrufa). They will pack hunt, but even they will fight each other to the death.