Terrapin Help Needed

[Terrapin]

Hello,

I recently got two baby Yellow-Belly Terrapins. One of them is bigger than the other and is MUCH more lively, and he dives into the water and swims about alot when he sees you, or he does so anyway. The other, however, is a little smaller, doesnt bother diving into the water when you enter the room, and doesnt swim about much. All he seems to do is bask. He also hides alot and doesnt move much unless hes in the water.

I don't know if i should be worried. He seems to be alright, he can swim normally, but he doesn't bother much. He doesnt try to escape if you go near to him, like the other would, and retreats into his shell alot. I believe they are about 2 months old. I don't see any discharge around his eyes, but hes usually lying sort of half in his shell, and his legs are quite limp until he starts to walk/swim.

Should I be worried?

Thanks.

[Graham]

Listlessness can be a sign of illness, does it eat, and what are your water and basking spot temps?

[Terrapin]

I think he eats, I've seen him go for food, the basking temp is around 30C usually and the water is around 25. Hes just no where near as lively as the other one, as right now the other one is swimming around and hes sitting on the dock. His shell and skin appear to be very dry as if hes basked a long time. Thanks for your reply.

[Graham]

You can increase the basking temp a bit, it should be 32-35°C, but it does sound as though something might be wrong. The most common thing would be RI, and raising the temps should help with this, but it may need a trip to the vet for antibiotics.
Keep an eye on it and watch out for other signs such as gaping, nasal discharge, foaming around the mouth. I would also seperate them as many turt illnesses, including RI, are infectious.

[Terrapin]

He was in the water, his mouth kept opening if thats "gaping"? he seems fine.. I dont see discharge or swelling etc.. and his mate who hes lived with all his life is fine.. Ill increase the basking temp. Also, I dont have a UV-B lamp, as the pet shop said I didnt need one, but as i research it seems I do. Will I need to buy a UV-B lamp? If so, what kind, and where can I find one online? Thanks for your help.

[Graham]

Another petshop that doesn't have a clue! Yes you definitely do need a UVB lamp, you can either get a flourescent one or go for a MVB which provides both heat and UVB in one bulb.

If you decide on a flourescent then I recommend an Exo Terra Repti Glo 10.0, or similar, with a reflecting shade/holder. The cheapest place to get them is usually eBay.

[cooljules]

Originally Posted by Terrapin

He was in the water, his mouth kept opening if thats "gaping"? he seems fine.. I dont see discharge or swelling etc.. and his mate who hes lived with all his life is fine.. Ill increase the basking temp. Also, I dont have a UV-B lamp, as the pet shop said I didnt need one, but as i research it seems I do. Will I need to buy a UV-B lamp? If so, what kind, and where can I find one online? Thanks for your help.

lots of rep keepers on here in ireland but not sure in this section, do a post in the right section and im sure someone local can tell you..

seems lots of advice about these given by shops....is totally wrong
did the shop tell you how old and how big they can get?

[Terrapin]

I knew how old they get, and how big, though what I didnt know was that I needed UV-B. Im buying one ASAP (tomorrow) as the shops are closed now. He doesnt seem to have any of the tell tale symptoms (discharge from eyes, any wounds or anything of the sort) the only thing is that hes not that active while his mate is.

[Terrapin]

Good news, came home today to find that he was swimming about, so I decided to break them up some dried shrimp, and insect, and chuck it in for them, they both eat plenty as I watched, turns out the petshop give me the wrong feeding info. Well hes very lively, he dived into the water when I came into the room and it still there. In conclusion, he wasn't ill, he pretty much had no energy. Ill keep you posted. Thanks for the help.