1939 replies to this topic

[Bas]

I bought the kids a Turtle the other day. It's a River Cooter variety and he is about the size of a 50p piece!! (see attached photo - bit blurry though)

The shop (very reliable and knowledgable so far with my Piranha and Tropical fish purchases) said the way they were displayed is fine, which was a tank about 2 feet by 1 foot, 1 inch of water, and some rocks and a log so he can spend time out of the water.

Having now done some research, some websites are saying they should have a basking lamp, but other sites don't mention anything like.

Has anyone on here got experience of keeping Turtles, and what might I need. He's been in our tank for three days and he seems perfectly fine!

Attached Files

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[piccolo]

I hope you know ..in case the turtle will grow into something much bigger than a 50p piece :grin:

[Bas]

I hope you know ..in case the turtle will grow into something much bigger than a 50p piece :grin:

Yep about 12 inches max for this breed so I'm told - and that will take a good 20 years!

[piccolo]

Yep about 12 inches max for this breed so I'm told - and that will take a good 20 years!

I heard that they need warmth..so a wee lamp..would do. (Me think)

[Basil the Rat]

I thought Turtles and Terrapins could be quite savage?

[Bas]

I thought Turtles and Terrapins could be quite savage?

[Basil the Rat]

Well *I heard* they have a nasy bite.

[Professional_Cynic]

I thought Turtles and Terrapins could be quite savage?

just so long as its not teenage mutant and ninja bas should be fine

[Bas]

Well *I heard* they have a nasy bite.

He's the size of a 50p piece. But will grow to 12 inches. Must admit I've heard thigs about them but can't remember exactly what variety etc. But he's out of the kids reach and in a tank he can't get out of.

Maybe I should get a "bird" to sort him out then!

I'm mainly after anyone who might know if they need a heat lamp though.

[piccolo]

I thought Turtles and Terrapins could be quite savage?

I think the Terrapins are the ones whom are a wee bit snappy.

[Professional_Cynic]

I think the Terrapins are the ones whom are a wee bit snappy.

with this lot about you don't need to worry about the them being a wee bit snappy

[piccolo]

with this lot about you don't need to worry about the them being a wee bit snappy

Oh DH......I still remember all their names.....
I just ask a mate and he said Terrapins are as snappy as his.....

[Basil the Rat]

I would have thought a normal aquarium hood with tropical flo tube in it will be quite adequate.

[Bas]

I would have thought a normal aquarium hood with tropical flo tube in it will be quite adequate.

Well it just so happens a mate of mine works in that industry - and can get anything like that with a 50% discount!!

[Baldric]

Without wanting to speak out of turn or imply anything, but Shouldn't you have done your research on how they should be kept BEFORE you purchased the animal?

[Bas]

Without wanting to speak out of turn or imply anything, but Shouldn't you have done your research on how they should be kept BEFORE you purchased the animal?

Perhaps, but I asked the shopkeeper and he said they are fine how they were displayed. To be fair, he's been in the tank in my house three days, and seems fine. If he really needed a light so badly he would have showed signs by now.

And the people who own the shop know me quite well and wouldn't lie. Plus, I know how knowledgable they are.

It's no big deal really - just wondered if anyone knew more about them. Some websites suggest heat lamps, others not.

[David]

Perhaps, but I asked the shopkeeper and he said they are fine how they were displayed. To be fair, he's been in the tank in my house three days, and seems fine. If he really needed a light so badly he would have showed signs by now.

Who? The shopkeeper?

[Basil the Rat]

Who? The shopkeeper?

We should be on the stage with this act.

[CoppersLot]

Who? The shopkeeper?

Now that was funny :wink:

[Cheetah]

I had a couple of terrapins some years ago and yes they can be a little snappy at times. Much like some of the posters on this forum.

I had a heat lamp however it was only ever used when it was cool in the house. During the summer they had some sunshine through the windows and they appeared to enjoy sitting in it. The heat lamp went on in the colder winter months when the heating wasn't on. If they get cold they become quite sluggish and uninteresting. however, in the heat they can start to smell if not kept very clean.

As a kid I used to enjoy digging up worms for them to eat and occasionally they got a bit of fresh mince. As I got older and wiser, digging for worms became less fun.

One other thing regarding size. I was led to believe that they will grow in proportion to their surroundings. Mine never really grew more than about 3.5-4 inches in length so I suppose it depends on wether you keep upgrading their tank.

[Dickyp]

Cheetahs got it about right.
With them being reptilian they are not homothermic, so I think the most sensible thing to do would be monitor the animals micro environments temperature and humidity.
Find out what the optimum 'running temperature' is for said turtles and try and keep the environment as close to as as stable as possible to that temperature.
Rich

[Bas]

Who? The shopkeeper?

Thanks peeps I'm looking into it. I'll probably get a small lamp and have it so it heats the rocks in the corner. That way he has a warm place to go and if it gets too warm he can go elsewhere in the tank!

[dappycow]

strangely bas, myself and tin tin have decided to get 3 of them when we move house next month- great minds huh? however, the place we're getting them say they like having friends. so maybe uv got an excuse to get another one??

[Amy]

Awww, I quite fancy having one of these little guys!

Are they expensive? Difficult to look after?

[JamesS]

strangely bas, myself and tin tin have decided to get 3 of them when we move house next month- great minds huh? however, the place we're getting them say they like having friends. so maybe uv got an excuse to get another one??

lol, thats a good sales technique ill have to try that one at work.

No sorry sir you will have to buy 3 licenses to the software as they do tend to get lonely by themselves!