Terrapin Care

[emmzy]

i have adults in a 3x2x2 tank with one of those turtle dock things ones completly blind i got her as a rescue but she has o problem fighting the other one for food i think its amazing how she finds it so quikly they must have a good sense of smell or something anyway the little one keeps molesting her i think its a bit cruel coz its blind but she doesnt seem to mind once i got a single egg but i thought it was a rock and it got eaten then i realised lol i was gutted i read a caresheet that said they dont lay their eggs in water tho but stephanie did

[James_T]

This is a "Sticky" thread, ie a useful article. You're not supposed to be posting here.

[connoll34]

Originally Posted by patelc

hi,
I have read the care sheet and stuff but my terrapins not eating anything i feed to him. ive tried mealworms, shrimps, fish pellets. nothing seems to work. It's also affecting the was he moves. He walks more slowly than he used to and he goes really shaky when he moves. It look like he is vibrating! what should I do??

sometimes the water may not be the right temperture and this can effect the terrapin from eating

[Graham]

Check the date of the post that you are replying to, 17th November 2007, also as has been noted this is a "sticky" post, it's not meant to be replied to.

Maybe one of the mods could clean it up and lock it?

[Cheesybug]

Sorry deleted post and will start new thread!!

[James_T]

Basically your vet is right. I've heard of terrapins living together in a suitable enviroment for 10 years+ , then one day deciding they need their own space. Often in these situations it doesn't stop, often one or both will injure the other, if you're lucky it's just a few nips that will heal eventually, but I'v seen shells with chunks missing, tails bitten in half and sometimes even limbs removed. Either way you'll need to separate. In desperation you could put a divider in the tank, but this would make the swimming space too small for both inhabitants.

[Sinéado]

are you sure its ok to feed them sprat?!?!? coz i got givin out to here for feeding my 2 terrapins salt water fish!!!!

[sophs87]

would just like to say how helpfull and feindly this advise is. thankyou

[Redsquire]

Hmm. I've kept two male Red-earred Terrapins for about five years now - without a UVB lighting fixture. Although I'm sure its good for them, I personally, from my own experience, have never felt that its a necessity for Red-ears (at least) to have a UVB fixture. Basking spot, yes.

A sunny position might also help the tank, but it will promote algae and bacterial growth, which sucks. Err, as will the lighting, to be honest. I've gotten along fine with simply heated water. Out of aesthetic need, I'm setting up a quote;unquote, "proper" habitat for my two RES's. All lighting, all heating, and quite possibly, a very strong filter. I'm not sure particularly what filter to use, for some reason someone told me to try a pond filter.

I've used a simple sponge-centered filter for a long time now, but as they get older I've found that this becomes incredibly inadequate, even though their quite easily even kept on their sides without any real problem.

This is all minor, miiiiinoorrr care. I've found that RES's are extremely hardy and if you feed them on proper, balanced diet and feed, and dont keep them in TOTAL darkness, then your fine. If your ever unsure, I say, read up on it more. Terrapins are easy and cute at first, but they really need professional care as they get older and really shouldn't be part of an aquarium setup - or even with each other, in some instances.

[turtal_lover896]

i have just got given this terrapin and i called it munch(it's a girl tho i think!) anyways, its not eating ANYTHING! i put a bit of spinach in a bowl of warm water, and then put munch in with him, but he had like the tiniest little chew! then tipped the bowl over and walked to my fish tank. i dont know what i should do he hasn't eatn in 2 days after that, please help A.S.A.P. .x. cheers.