Terrapin Care

[ShaneLuvsMonitors]

Whoops didnt realise it was a sticky nonchalantly stops posting.

[Lethalhayd]

do these turts ever get a case of worms in any form lol
we have three atm in one tank and they seem to have little worms swimming around with them acasionally!

does anyone know what these are?

[SarahFDuncan]

Hey, I just got 2 terrapins 3 weeks ago, one unfortunately died (not that I was that surprised, I'm in China and he was being sold in a boiling supermarket in a tiny plastic cup he couldn't move in with no water, and wouldn't come out of his shell even when he was placed on the floor or react at all when prodded by little kids, poor guy). The other one's always been much stronger and livelier, so I was just wondering whether they need company? I'm not sure what species he is, he's got a dark shell with brown markings round the outside, and dark unstriped skin. He's really small still, his shell's only about 4 or 5cm long.

Also about their diet, I tried giving them fresh shrimps, lettuce and cut up green beans a few times, but they would never eat them, he eats his pellet feed a lot but I'm a bit worried about the fact they're supposed to have a varied diet. Also, he's developed a light mark above one of his eyes, any idea what this could be or what I should do?

Oh and one more thing, should he be in direct sunlight or not? I've read in different places that he should be and shouldn't be. I haven't managed to find a basking lamp yet, although he does have a water heater and a dry basking area, and i've made little piles of rocks under the water and he's got plastic plants for cover. I did have some real water plants in there but they just died and dirtied the water really quickly, is there anything I'm missing?

Thanks very much for any help!

Sarah

[SarahFDuncan]

He also has developed some soft brown marks on his shell, I'm really not doing very well and feel very bad! I don't know how to go about finding vets, never mind reptile ones, here in Beijing, so I'm at a bit of a loss! His diet definitely isn't varied enough, I think that's the main problem, what would be best for calcium, etc? I guess that would help the shell...

[Graham]

You'll get more attention if you start your own thread, rather than adding to an old Sticky.

It would help to know what species it is before giving advice, then you can be pointed in the direction of an appropriate caresheet.

[shellycrawford]

Hi.. i am new to this site..i have found it really helpful already..
Like most of you..i have found little help and advice from my local petshops and vets, to do with the care of my Red Earred Slider terrapin...My question is...
My terrapin is called Woodle, he is a huge 18year old male and i love him to bit..however, i have noticed that he is finding it difficult to mould both his scutes and his skin is shedding, he looks really messy and kind of unhealthy looking, is he perhaps lacking in some vitamin, that would help him moult??
I know, a good healthy balanced diet is the key to a healthy animal, but my terrapin has gotten really fussy..he refusing to eat his "boring" tinned food from the petshop, i know they are full of proper vitamins, and only eats scraps of food i give him, like chicken, a little sausage, sardines..i know eating this over a prolonged period wont be giving him the vitamins he needs, so any suggestions on how to feed a fussy terrapin..??
Kindest regards yall..
xx xx xx

[Graham]

You should really be asking this question in a new thread, not adding to an old sticky, that's not what it's here for.

At 18 years old your turt should be eating mostly veg, and certainly not sausages and sardines! And what is this "tinned" food you're giving it?

[lukeyboy]

Hi im new to this site and already have got some wicked info!!!

i wonder if someone can help me!? i have got just under a year old Map turtle. i had bought two as babies but as one had something wrong with him when i bought him sadly he didnt make two weeks! . But now i have one i want to get him a friend. i have bought a massive 4ft tank so loads of rooom! i just want to know can i get another Map turtle? would it be ok? i think my one is a male so would it be better to get a female?

any advise would be so helpful!

THANKS!!!

[Graham]

Best to start your own thread in this section rather than adding to an old sticky.