side neck turtle

[sheldon&shelly]

can anyone give me some information on side neck turtle

please?

[Graham]

What do you want to know?

[sheldon&shelly]

basic care

as much info as poss in order to give one the best life

please

[Graham]

There are quite a few species of side neck turtles, but assuming you mean one of the African varieties try this http://www.pelomedusa.com/

[sheldon&shelly]

im not sure of the species
it just said side neck cost 29.99
and the bloke said grows to around 8"

what sort of size tank would you need for one side neck?

thanks for your help xx

[Shelled TT Lover]

i have read a lot about them.
they are not much different from other acquit turtles, you can just read the general guidelines for turtles on tortoise trust website. Follow everything even some times they are different from other source.

I can give you a brief list about them:
1: appropriate tank, as big as possible
2: submarine heater, ( I think it is too late for them to hibernate now, better let them get use to oncoming spring and summer if they are not already in hibernation)
3: UVB+UVA light
4: a basking area that allow turtle get fully dried
5: a heating source for that basking area, regular incandescent bulb is alright according to Tortoise Trust

Better to have a temperature meter; make sure the temperatures are alright both in water (22-26) and basking place (28-32)

For diet:
Calcium, Vitamins and Ca/P ratio!
You can find very detailed information on tortoise trust

Other important things:
1 never let the water temperature change too fast or too big, difference within 2 C is acceptable, 5 C in a very short time is dangerous. Should be very careful when doing water changing.
2 water quality, keep water clean, this is vital! Avoid big temperature difference. Judge the temperature with temperature meter only.
3 eliminate the chloride in tap water
4 a powerful filtration system can prolong the water change intervals. After a nitrogen cycle established you may change 1/3 water per week plus removing big bulk of food residue and turts feces as soon as you see them.

My personal experience, they are tough creatures, you will not have any problem if you follow the right guidelines.

[Graham]

I think the site I posted a link to covers most of this.

They require a bigger land area than species like sliders, their natural habitat is marshland and they can be quite active on land, especially early morning and evening.

They are a tropical species from Africa and they don't hibernate, they need heat all year round, both water and basking area.

[Shelled TT Lover]

Originally Posted by Graham

I think the site I posted a link to covers most of this.

They require a bigger land area than species like sliders, their natural habitat is marshland and they can be quite active on land, especially early morning and evening.

They are a tropical species from Africa and they don't hibernate, they need heat all year round, both water and basking area.

really? they dont hibernate? i remember i have read somewhere said they hibernate in cold and also sleep in hot weathers. (sorry, i forgot the term for that, sleep in summer,funny)
but i am really glad to hear they dont hibernate, because it is very difficult to take care of them before, during and after hibernation. Provide heaters is much easier.
you said they need more basking space than sliders, because they live in marshland. According to my observation, they indeed like to stay dry a lot! Especially after eating, and very enjoy the incandescent +UVB/A light! But I didn’t realize they need more basking space, for now my set up provides a 5:1 ratio of water to land, need to change it. Do you think half to half is a good idea? ,

They sleep on dry land in the night, is that normal? I turn off all the lights after 10 o clock.

[Geomyda]

Have you looked up the excellent website dedicated to this group of Turtles that Graham gave you earlier?
Pelomedusa. com

[sheldon&shelly]

i had a look and there is alot of great info

but i still did not see anywhere that says what size tank they need,