Saved Slider Terrapin.

[Roberts588]

Hello All!

My Name is Arran and ive just had a slider terrapin given to me because the owners were not looking after it properly. so i asked if i could take care of him.

I have never owned a terrapin before but im very keen to learn a lot about them.

the last owners only had him in a 24 x 8 x 8 tank which they gave to me with a basking float and a internal filter. I got him on Friday and Cleaned the tank out and filter, i also added some small rocks and a live plant. i also bought a UVB light and heatlamp for basking. i will be up grading the tank to a much bigger next month, also i got a air pump with some air stones.

As i havnt had the experince with terrapins i wanted to know if my terrauim was fit for him and what u guys think. he seems healthy but is very shy of me when i come close to the tank.

I have uploaded some picture of him and the terraium so far.

Thanks Alot
Arran

http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/o...8/P1010186.jpg
http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/o...8/P1010184.jpg
http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/o...8/P1010181.jpg

[Graham]

It's not a bad start, as you know the tank is far too small so the sooner you can get it into a bigger one the better, maybe you could get a large plastic storage tub and use that until you can afford a bigger tank?

Suitable tubs are only a tenner or so, but if you can't do that then you at least need to fill the tank up more, make it as deep as you can without the turt being able to climb out, fit a wire mesh lid if neccessary.

You also need to remove the lid that you have on the tank, lids create high humidity which can cause often fatal respiratory infections.

You can find a good Slider caresheet here which will tell you all the basics The Terrapin Tank • View topic - North American Sliders

[Roberts588]

Hi,

Thanks for the info, i have ordered a 30"x15x15 today and will be getting it next month. i have filled it with more water. he is feeding very well now, but i cant get him to eat Reptomin, he only eats the shrip or fish.

Also i have removed the lid and made my own lid out of chicken wire.

but i have a problem, there seems to be a white slime coming from the side of his mouth. i have heard this could be serious. the temperture is around 30 degrees in tank and 25-27 in water, and he is basking and eating fine!

Trip to the VETs is in order.

Once again thanks for ur help.

[Graham]

Yes the white slime doesn't sound too good, that could be a sign of a respiratory infection, if it's eating well though it may be early stages, you do need to see a vet though as it'll need antibiotics if it is RI.

Your basking temp is too low and the water temp too high, basking should be 32-35°C, and the water can be dropped to about 10°C less than that. Just for the moment though leave the water temp as it is and raise the basking to 35°C, this will help it to fight any possible infection by raising it's metabolic rate.

As for the food, it will always eat shrimp and fish in preference to pellets, so you need to stop feeding those and just offer pellets, if it doesn't eat them remove them and try again the next day, if it still doesn't eat then wait a couple of days or more before trying again, it will eat when it gets hungry enough.

[Roberts588]

Hi Guys,

I Have Upgraded the whole set up now, i have some pics up for you to see. let me know what u think?

He is starting the shed some skin, is this normal?

Thanks again

http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/o...8/P1010191.jpg
http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/o...8/P1010194.jpg
http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/o...8/P1010204.jpg

[spicewwfc]

Originally Posted by Roberts588

Hi Guys,

I Have Upgraded the whole set up now, i have some pics up for you to see. let me know what u think?

He is starting the shed some skin, is this normal?

Thanks again

http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/o...8/P1010191.jpg
http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/o...8/P1010194.jpg
http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/o...8/P1010204.jpg

Hi Arran.
Well done on saving the turt, both my sliders are rescues, I think its more satisfying that way.
Shedding is perfectly normal, make sure the little guy has got a place where he can dry out completely so the skin can come off.
My male seems to be constantly shedding his skin he was 4 years old when i got him 18 months ago and his shell was less than 4 inches long, he was kept in a 12"x6"x12" tank with no thermostat or basking spot or uv light and he was being fed just freeze dried shrimp.
Now after a year and a half on a diet of fresh veg, fish, and pellets he is 6" long and still growing.

Your new setup looks great, they love the deep water, it needs to be at least 12" deep really for them to get the most enjoyment out of it.
Do you know the sex?
If its a female you will need to get a tank that's at least 4 and a half feet long pretty soon.

[Roberts588]

Cheers Mate, Ye i great. was the same with this terrapin, the last owner had him a small tank with no UV or heat and just fed him fronzen shrimp. since i have had him his is loads better, swimming all the time and basking loads. feels great because at first he had this white slime around his mouth but that has cleared up and he is eating loads.

im feeding him ReptoMin along with frooze shrimp. but as a treat every two weeks i give him a guppie. keep him occupied. also i have two live plants which are ok for him in the tank and he loves them (dont last long thou) lol

ihavnt got a clue if he is female or male. hopefully male because i have just bought that tank lol

Im going to get another terrapin and the end of the month. Will a baby terrapin be ok with this one?

Thanks again!

[spicewwfc]

It would be best if you grow the new terrapin on a bit before you put him in, but they do live communally, although there is always a chance that 2 males will fight.
You can also mix different species, so you could add a musk or mud turtle.

As for sexing its really easy if your turt is over 3", just have a look at the length of its tail.
This is a female
http://www.picolio.com/g2/d/52382-2/Lumpy103003b.jpg

And a male
http://www.picolio.com/g2/d/52390-2/Trigger103003c.jpg

What you are feeding sounds great, but try to add a bit of veg into the mix, they love fresh salad especially red leaves, and red peppers, or anything red really.
Try to avoid messy things like tomatoes and citrus fruit because it can give them an upset stomach.
They can literally eat anything you have in your fridge, except for dairy products, so feel free to experiment.
Again well done for rescuing him, with a bit of luck you will have a great pet for several decades to come

[ninjastyle]

food wise: i have a razorback turtle who had a poorly leg, he was also a rescue and had the poorly leg when i got him, several trips to the vets later and antibiotics n all that carry on hes doing fine. one thing the vet did tell me was to stay away from the frozen foods as theyre not very nutrious for them. dryed shrip aint really got anything nutrious in them. they told me to feed mine on dryed adult cat food (not the kitten stuff as its too fatty). been feeding him on iams ever since and he loves it, his legs all cleared up now as well. might be worth ago? a small bag of iams doesnt cost much and lasts ages too.

[Roberts588]

Hi Guys got a new terra in the family. bought a baby yellow belly. unfornatly the big one didnt take to well and got him in a sperate tank. but hes ok and i found out that the big one (Michaeglo) is a female! Will have to change the name.

Anyway cheers for all ur help people!

Arran http://www.reptileforums.co.uk/images/icons/icon10.gif