Help, I have a baby turtle What do I do?

dogmom3 · #1 04-19-2004, 06:49 PM

A teacher brought a little turtle to the children's farm where I volunteer. It is only about the size of a nickel. I had turtles as a child but they were about 4 times the size of this one. I think it is a painted turtle. It's undershell is a bright orange. It's in a tiny aquarium with stones where it can come out of the water. Right now I'm putting thawed brineshrimp in the water. But he doesn't seem to be eating. He is very fiesty. If anyone has anything to add I would appreciate it.

rosybug · #2 04-21-2004, 06:24 PM

Dogmom, have you thought of bringing him to a animal rehab?Or call them and find out what they eat.I dont know anything about turtles. Is a painted turtle an aquatic turtle? Maybe it,s an vegetarian.Oh, please keep us updated about it. I love turtles.I found one about 6 weeks ago in the middle of the road. I always stop for turtles and get them out of the road.This one was hit by a car and had a mangled foot. I brought it to the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. They take all orphaned or hurt wildlife and rehabilitate them after treatment.I,m sorry , i dont know more about turtles to give you any valid advice about it .Can,t wait about an update about your little turtle! Good luck!

dogmom3 · #3 04-21-2004, 11:30 PM

Gamera is doing great. He started eating the brine shrimp right after I posted that he wasn't eating. I did get a turtle book from the local pet store. According to it I'm doing everthing right. I did think about taking him to a rehab, but he's so cute. And there is a possibility that the farms preschool might want him. Who am I kidding if I keep him long enough that he is big enough for the preschool I'll be too attached to him. I'm going to try and get a picture of him to post this weekend. According to the turtle book the painted turtles eat both meat & veggies. Today I'm giving him shredded spinach leaves. I always stop when I see them in the road too. Luckily I've never found any injured ones.

rosybug · #4 04-22-2004, 12:35 PM

gosh,i,m glad to hear Gamera(nice name) is doing good and if you would keep him ,i,m sure he,d be in excellent care with you. Can,t wait to see a picture of this little findling.Thanks for the update Dogmom! Have a nice day!

'too crazy · #5 04-22-2004, 01:39 PM

My daughter found a turtle yesterday and now hasit set up in her room. This must be the time of year for them huh?

We feed it turtle food called ReptoMin. I know they do like veggies but I never heard of meat. I guess that's something to try. Also the water needs to be cleaned frequently due to the urine. Glad to see there's another nut who stops in the middle of the road to save a turtle!

macassie · #6 04-22-2004, 01:45 PM

Turtles are wonderful creatures. I'm glad to hear that Gamera is doing well. Just keep your eyes peeled for Zigra....

lol!

Lano · #7 05-07-2004, 05:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'too crazy

Glad to see there's another nut who stops in the middle of the road to save a turtle!

Last time when we were going to Gran's for dinner we nearly ran over this turtle. We got out of the car to look at it and so we brought it to dinner. TO dinner not FOR dinner. There's a difference. After that I thought we'd keep it but he died one week after we got him. *sniff*

'too crazy · #8 05-07-2004, 08:51 AM

Oh Lano, sorry to hear that. Maybe nothing tasted as good as Gran's cooking and he wouldn't eat anything anymore?

Our's is still alive and swimming! The food we feed him is pellets and he swallow's them whole. He also bites when picked up and we looked at his nose yesterday and we're beginning to wonder if he could be a snapper. I have to do some research on that. It's so cute because my daughter will call him and he comes out from wherever he was for her to pick him up. I've never seen anything like it!

Hey dogmom3, how's Gamera doing??

dogmom3 · #9 05-08-2004, 01:31 AM

Gamera is growing. He is now about the size of a quarter and has his own 10 gal tank with a filter. Anytime I walk past the tank he sticks his head out of the water and opens his mouth. This means he wants to be fed. When he's done eating he turns his head away. I got him some of the reptomin but he wouldn't touch it. I got him some anchorwort plants & an amazonsword but I dont't think he's eaten them yet. He likes to hide in the anchorwort. Too crazy you are right it is turtle season. Painted turtles hatch over winter, but they don't come out until the weather gets warm. He hasn't tried to bite me but he sure pulls the meat off the tweezers when I feed him. It sounds like you & your daughter have a great new friend. Sorry to hear about your little turtle Lano. I'm sorry I didn't post about gamera sooner but I'm taking care of 2 splay legged geese for the farm. They are alot of work. Unfortunately they don't seem to be getting any better. They will probably go back to the farm Monday. Then I'll have more time for my zoo again.

Lano · #10 05-08-2004, 03:06 AM

Turtles, it reminds me of the one in school pond. He died not due to old age but because some idiot threw her lunchbox at the turtle after somebody dared her to. At least we got back at her for that. After some hard work being an amateur detective.

Lano · #11 05-08-2004, 03:08 AM

I think he was a snapper. He really looked like one. I haven't heard a happy story about any turtles yet. There's another story where my piano teacher got two when they grew too old [about 4] she decided she couldn't look after them and left them in the reservoir.

pilsdogurl · #12 05-16-2004, 12:35 PM

Hi...i feed my turtle reptomin as well...i named him michael angelo because he's my favorite ninja turtle...lol...but lately i've been calling him "pig" because everytime he see's me he start scratching the aquarium glass to get my attention...hehehe...and when i get to his tank, his mouth is wide open waiting for his food...LOL