I got a turtle!

[no2apprentice]

Instead of boiling the rocks, you can always scrub them with mix of 70% water, 30% bleach. This will kill anything on the rocks. Just rinse them well. You may find this easier than boiling.

Behold the turtle! He only makes progress when he sticks his neck out.

 

[The Mom]

I feed mine commercial turtle hatchling food, and gut load small mealworms and crickets; I also add calcium dust to the worms container. I hold the mealworm with a foreceps, and the turtle takes it. He's a real begger. That way there's less "food" sitting around in the water (keeps the smell down) I just drop the cricket in and walk away...it's not a pleasant sight. Ugh. You might want to find out which type of turtle you have...some are vegetarians, some are carnivores. The little green turtles commonly sold are usually sliders, and are carnivores(insectivores) but that might not be correct in your case.

And make sure you rinse or boil those rocks in spring water!

 

[tenchu]

Originally posted by The Mom
ALL Reptiles and Amphibians carry Salmonella. We have several. Please note that your turtle will need an aquarium type tank...not the typical turtle dish sold in pet stores.. (an aerator would be nice, but as long as you change the water...spring only... every few days you can do without it)and an ultraviolet light. Otherwise, it might die. It also needs someplace to get out of the water...if you can put a plant or log in, he would love it...turtles like to climb. You also have to "gut load" or dust fresh mealworms and small crickets for it. Commercial turtle food really doesn't supply enough nutrients.

I wash my hands frequently (I don't allow my son to handle them) and also scrub the sink with bleach after changing tank water.

Turtles under 4" are only to be sold for "educational" purposes, but I've never had anyone question me.

You pinched every bloody word i was gonna say!

 

[The Mom]

Sorry...my son is a future "Jeff Corwin/Steve Irwin", so I know more than I ever really wanted to know about these crawly things!