Animal Stories - People Talking About Turtles



Select Pet Atlas	Select A Family	Species / Breed

Latest Animal Stories on Turtles (390)

lavarus peterkin - 2009-12-24
I have 7 turtles a musk 1 ,snapper 1,red eared sliders 4,and yellow bellied slider 1

Tony D - 2010-01-16
Yes, you are right. Softshells are a difficult species and fare poor in captivity. I want to get a smooth softshell for my birthday, and right now I'm doing plenty of research. I bet the smooth and spiny softshells both have relatively similar care requirements. Great website you guys have. Keep up the good work. It will really help me.

Tanner - 2009-09-21
On September 21, 2009 I found a baby soft shell turtle about to get run over in florida.

kyle - 2006-04-02
My name is Kyle and I have recently, about 3 months ago, bought this breed of turtle. I have attained 6 other turtles (diff, breed)in the past, releasing them into a sanctuary after reaching full maturity (they were all raised on live bait for when released). I find the Soft shell turtle very unique, and didn't know if I was taking care of it properly until I read this web page. The only thing I haven't been doing is putting salt in the water. I actually find turtles easy to take care of (if you really love them I guess), and noticed with all my turtles they become very affectionate over time. I have actually even caught my turtles several times watching TV. I love all animals and take great respect in the caring for these beautiful creatures! Your web site helped me undertsnad this breed alot more, and I'm thankful to you in knowing that I'm taking care of my soft shell properly.

Christian Lloyd Loo - 2010-04-19
Last year,
I bought a red eared slider and fed it a lot because I didn't know it needed to eat few food because it was cold blooded and 2 weeks later it didn't eat at all so I tried to make it mad so I could feed it but it didn't eat and I used chlorinated water because I thought they could survive then it never ate at all and it started floating never going to the bottom. Then a month and a half later it died. Oh I live in the Philippines and I'm 11 years old my turtle was 2 inches long when I bought it and when it died.

Click For Replies (3)

Dorion - 2010-04-30
First, you feed the baby turtles krill, shrimp, mealworms, or bloodworms. You might have to cut the food for it to fit in the turtles mouth. It doesn't hurt to feed them vegetables, but give them more protein in their diet for the baby sliders. DO NOT give them chlorinated water. It is like a poison to them. Usually if you can drink it use that for the tank. Only feed the turtle 2 days a week, or small meals everyday. Make sure it gets enough UV(ultraviolet) radiation. You can buy a UV light for the tank. You will also need a basking rock for the turtle to you know bask.
jv - 2010-05-04
I'm from philippines also. I have RES also, they are all female. Try to buy some RES that is very healthy.
Jared - 2011-04-08
Read up how to care for it... I had RES since I was 10 and they are still healthy and alive after 16 yrs. Probably gonna out live me.

jayvee - 2010-05-04
Hi, I'm jan jayvee from pangasinan, philippines. I have four(4) female RES. I got them from the petshops in dagupan. One is unhealthy, I don't know why. Her eyes are always closed. She is about in 1.9 inches. Hope you can say what is her disease. Thank you

Click For Replies (5)

Laura - 2010-05-25
Eye disease in RES turtles can be from respiratory infection or vitamin deficiency. It's important to treat, because a blind turtle will probably not eat. Can you bring her to a vet? If not, try keeping her dry, under a heating light (80-85 degrees F) separate from her tankmates. Just put her in an inch of warm water once or twice a day to eat and poop, and not having to compete with her healthier friends. You can also try putting Vit A drops on her food or even in her eyes. One of my two baby turtles had this months ago and seemed close to death, but a vet disgnosed a resp. infection, and after antibiotic shots he was fine and is now the dominant turtle in the tank!
James - 2010-06-13
Hi jayvee,
Although I can't tell you what disease she has I can tell you one of mine had the same thing. I express the word HAD very greatly. She is now very healthy and well. All I did was provide the right filter(homemade), lighting, and heat and she became well. Suggest you raise the temperature in the water and the air. In a few weeks she should be all better.
motasm - 2010-08-06
I have the same thing it's from cloromine in the normal water that's why.
\'\'cemaj\'\' - 2010-11-12
She might have oddorenson.
Michael - 2011-03-21
You need turtle eye drop, from pet store.

Tony Dai - 2009-11-11
I had a red eared slider for 5 years. We've been through alot. First I purchased him he was 2 inches and he was placed in a tiny plastic container with no heating source, I only put him by the window for natural sunlight. The tank only had 1 cm of water and one small rock. It was a very poor habitat and I kept him there for a few months and he survived. Then I put him in a 9 gallon aquarium with 1 cm of water and the same rock. Still no heat source. He was fed pellets and shrimp. After a few years I went on the Internet and searched information on how to take care of them, and I found out they need a very large tank, a basking area, UVB basking bulbs, very clean water and a very strong filter, and lots more. Then I realized the mistake. I quickly told my parents how to take proper care of them. I always try to tell them how to take proper care of red eared sliders but they think its unnessecary. So I still had him in a poor habitat. But the past few months I tried my hardest to give him a proper habitat by myself. Right now he's still in a 9 gallon, but he has a turtle dock, a water depth of 4 inches, and a desk lamp for basking (I put him under the window on warm days for UVB). He is currently 5 inches and although he was in a terrible habitat for such a long time, he survived and for some weird reason shows no sign of illness. Now I'm going to give him a very large tank with a large basking area, a UBV basking light, a filter and water changes. I just wish my parents could be more considerate and put more effort into taking care of pets as they are a huge commitment. I'm only 11.

Click For Replies (4)

Allyson - 2010-07-20
WAY TO BE Tony! I hope your slider is doing well. I too, had a poorly cared for pet as a child. It was a collie named Mikey. I felt so sad. I loved that dog so much, but I was too young to do anything about it. Unfortunately, he died before I was old enough to take care of him. I now make up for his loss by taking the best possible care of the pets that I love now. I hope he forgives me.
A. N RAO - 2010-08-17
I also have 3 red eared but I am confusing about how to design a comfortable tank for them. If you have any idea on it give me details I arrange it asap "A N RAO"
Diana - 2010-11-22
I think, you are trying to do the right thing, but you should try to tell your parents that you will work around the house to pay for a better tank, tell them that even that it's not important for them, it is important for you that your turtle is happy. I have one for three years now, and I just upgraded her tank, to a 75 gallon one and she is very happy. Try to buy a used one on craig list with a good filter, and you can clean it every month. Good luck
murray brown - 2011-03-15
Sounds like your turtle is very lucky to have you as his/her human--good job!

John Lee - 2011-03-13
When I and my dad got a MataMata Turtle he was as heavy as a piece of paper. He is now very hardy and eats from your hand. In the Book Tophero Son of Smilodon there is a matamata turtle and is a really good book. BTW the families matamata is named T-rex :)

Katy - 2010-07-09
My husband found a baby turtle when he was mowing the lawn. We are trying to identify it - I am pretty certain it is a painted turtle, but it could be a cooter. We already have an African Side-Necked Turtle purchased from a pet store. Can I put the baby turtle in with my bigger one?

Click For Replies (1)

ali - 2011-01-27
No you should not because the bigger turtle will pick on the smaller one that is what I got told by a pet store worker I was gonna put my african sideneck turtle in with a painted turtle and they said no the bigger one will pick on the littler one :)

TAN JOON HOW - 2007-11-24
I've acquired a male chelus fimbriatus about 2 years ago & it's growing well ( approx. 8" carapace now ). I have no problems keeping him as he's quite a hardy turtle. He eats lots of small fish ( up to 4" ) and it never fails to amaze me everytime he eats with their signature "suction" killer style!
I hope to get a female and try breeding in the near future. To everyone out there keeping matamatas, please do share success stories on captive breeding. TQ!

Click For Replies (1)

Don Masholie - 2011-01-19
I have a male Matamata turtle. I have had him almost 3 years now. He loves to eat Bala Sharks. I have seen him devour 8 Bala Sharks in a matter of minutes. I take him to the vet regularly, he had a case of Hook worms, but after 2 worming treatments he was cured from the Hook Worms. I change his water 2-3 times a week.

About Animal-World

Animal-World offers animal pictures, videos, and animal information on all different types of pets and animals. Included are animals that are commonly kept as pets, exotic pets and wild animals. Check us out for information, education, and fun. We strive to aid in responsible pet ownership and an understanding of the importance of preserving and honoring our world and its inhabitants. Animal-World members and contributors are from all over the world. You too are invited to be an active participant in this community. Post your own personal pet stories, contribute pictures of your pets, and join the forums for pet and animal discussions.

Visit Animal-World

Animal Stories - People Talking About Turtles

About Animal-World