red-eared sliders

[wfgthjjk]

Hi, I just got my turtle earlier today. Some lady was selling them and I decided to get one. However, she made it seem so easy to take care of them and as I see now that is clearly wrong. I have a picture to show you what my turtle looks like. In the picture you can see the cage and such. This is what he came in when I bought him. She just said that we could could keep him in there until he looks too big for it. Now I know that is not true. Can I take him out and hold him and play with him? Do they bite? I want to be able to pick him up and stuff. I went through some sites and did some searching, but I really couldn't find much. Any help you can give me would be great. Here are the picture links. Thank you so much.

http/img.photobucket.com/albums/v285/xstarz4x/DSCN0169.jpg

http/img.photobucket.com/albums/v285/xstarz4x/DSCN0168.jpg

http/img.photobucket.com/albums/v285/xstarz4x/DSCN0152.jpg

 

[glolite]

If you're worried, take him back to the shop. Otherwise you may find that if you post this on the invertebrates section you will get more help (or other pets forum).
I think they do bite but only if threatened. I'm sure if you are careful and handle him gently it'll be ok to pick him up. He sounds lovely but turtles grow BIG!!

 

[godzuki]

hi doll

turtles need access to land and water usually u would have gravel slopeing down to the water.
the tank really isnt big enough as turtles like to swim and turn over under water and at present he wadeing

hope this helps

heres some helpful pages

http/www.geocities.com/Heartland/Prairie/1454/aspets.html
http/www.petalia.com.au/templates/storyt...on=answers#ct-3

and if you really are stuck, either go to a aquatics centre that deal with this sort of creature or ask a vet.

kiss kiss
godzuki

 

[godzuki]

another idea is pop turtle tank into brackets in google and hit images, theres loads

 

[godzuki]

its really like keeping a fish as it like warm water and bubbles and plants and they like basking areas B)
who ever sold you this poor thing and told you that he would be happy in that tank need to be shot.

hop all this helps

kiss kiss
godzuki

 

[OohFeeshy]

Ahh... he is cute.

 

[yvez9]

i don't think that's a snapping turtle. I believe it's the kind that will hide in it's shell if threatened.

Turtles who can't hide in their shells will bite or kick you if they feel threatened.

I would get a small tank, like 20 gallons, and make a terrarium with cold water in there. You could keep a small sponge filter to keep the water clean and you would be able to feed it some fish by putting them in the water, if you want to and it's legal where you live.

 

[wfgthjjk]

Oh, thanks everyone. I am going to Petco today to buy him a new tank and everything. Last night I took him out of his cage and held him in my hand. He did not really seem to mind, but I did notice some things. Like, his left eye is always closing and he will let me touch his right leg, but not his left. When I try to touch his left leg he puts it into his shell. Meh, I can't tell if he is sick or unhappy. And I put some food in there and he won't eat. I didn't get him from a pet store so I can't go back or anything to ask the lady who sold him to me. I'm just worried about him and I just want him to be happy. Maybe I should get him a snail friend or something? I also heard that they were good at keeping the tank a little cleaner. Thanks for all your help.

 

[godzuki]

first of all and most importantly you need to take him to the vet... his eyes might just need a clean, but the leg is a worry...



good to hear your changiing the tank did you have a look at the pics via google, you'll see most had more water then land but it a preference thing, like I said before as long as hes able to swim and spin he'll thrive..

hope i've helped

kiss kiss
godzuki

 

[godzuki]

by the way hes not a snapping turtle, you couldnt pick him up if he were... if you stuck your finger any where near him he'd snap it off in an instant.... literaly

when I was a kid my friend had a pond and sandy area in the corner of her living room (it was a large room) and she had several turtles it was amazing, it had heat lamps and stone caves and well everything... wow wow

kiss kiss
godzuki

 

[wfgthjjk]

Yes, I looked at the pictures and their tanks were so beautiful. I'm still setting mine up. I spent like $8 on my turtle and like almost $200 on all his stuff ^^ but he is worth it. He just sleeps all day, though. I don't know if that is normal or not, but I mean literally he just sleeps and doesn't move. He just floats. Is that normal? Maybe after a while of having him and after he gets older I will see about getting another one. When I pick him up he seems a little scared, but he doesn't try to bite me. I'm still scared he will though. And thanks for all your help, I appreciate it.

 

[godzuki]

do u have a heater set up, turtles need warm water likw tropical fishes

kiss kiss
godzuki

 

[wfgthjjk]

I do! I have pictures and stuff so the next time I upload them I'll post. I think the temperature in the tank is around 70-75. He seems much happier now.

 

[godzuki]

wfgthjjkhave you every picked up a rabbit??
stroked a dog??

both these animals can have a wee nip so picking up ur turtle should be easy and you wouldnt be worried about them ( unless your scared of them ofcourse )
hows the upgrading going??

kiss kiss
godzuki

 

[wfgthjjk]

Oh, good, thanks for asking! I have pictures too. Would you like to see? He is growing. And he has never bitten me, never even tried. I think he's much happier now.