I am new here and wanted to say Hello. My name is Jen and I just got my 1+yr old RES, Ruby. I got her from a friend who had no time to care for her. She came to me with a small tank, pink and blue gravel (which went in the trash the first week, after I watched her eat it), one lamp, a pump, and some pellets. I have never owned turtles, but grew up watching my grandmother care for her many RES' out back in her amazing pond. Back then, they lived on hamburger and veggies, outgrew her home and eventually went on to live at the Phoenix Zoo.
I know Miss Ruby is a work in progress and has many issues going on. I am going at this slow, because there is so much to learn and I feel a bit overwhelmed. I know Ruby needs a new tank setup, but having ONLY been given pellets in the past, we are learning to eat veggies, meat, fish, and a little fruit. It is a SLOW process with her! She is very timid, but I do think she is starting to trust me. I think we will keep learning how to eat before we jump right into a new tank.
I have some concerns about her shell, eating schedule, etc... but I will go to the appropriate pages for that.
What a great place this is! How helpful to a newbie turtle mama.
Thanks for reading, Jen
