Posts tagged turtle care
The Best Filters for Red-Eared Sliders and other Aquatic Turtles
Nov 8th
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. Long-lived, responsive and intelligent, Red-Eared Sliders and similar turtles are among the most popular of reptile pets. However, aquatic turtles feed in water and are quite messy about it, and produce a great deal of waste. Keeping their water clear and odor-free, and in a state that promotes good health, is a challenge faced by all turtle-keepers. Today I’ll review some filters that are especially designed for use with aquatic turtles and other reptiles and amphibians; you can view other available models here.
General Considerations
Your turtle’s natural history and feeding behavior will greatly influence the type of filter that should be used, so be sure to research these topics before making your selection. For example, Spotted Turtles will be stressed by fast currents, Soft-shelled Turtles will kick sand about and dislodge intake tubes, the carapaces of Pig-Nosed Turtles are prone to bacterial attack in highly-oxygenated waters, and so on. Please write in if you need help in selecting a filter. More >
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Loading ...May Red Eared Slider Hatchlings be Legally Bought and Sold?
May 19th
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. Although Slider hatchlings (Trachemys scripta elegans) have been banned from the US pet trade by the Food and Drug Administration since 1975, the tiny green turtles are still regularly offered for sale in certain areas, creating confusion for aspiring turtle owners.
History of the Law
Under the law, turtles less than 4 inches in length may not be sold, regardless of the species. The sale of larger turtles is regulated by state law (the 4 inch rule is a bit confusing, more on that in a future article).
Traditionally, turtles were considered prime carriers of Salmonella bacteria… the law was enacted in response to over ¼ million annual cases of Salmonellosis among turtle owners in the early 70’s. Salmonellosis can cause meningitis and miscarriage, and may be fatal to children, the elderly and immune-compromised individuals.
“Safe Sliders” to Force Policy Change?
According to commercial turtle farmers, however, the situation has changed in the 30+ years since the ban went into effect. Farmers claim they are now able to produce Salmonella-free hatchlings, and that effective pre-treatment before sale could be used as additional insurance.
In 2007 Louisiana Senator Mary Landrieu introduced legislation seeking to legalize the sale of Salmonella-free Red Eared Slider hatchlings (Louisiana is home to an estimated 80 turtle farms). Last month (April, 2010), the Louisiana District Court ruled that the FDA has not adequately addressed the issue, and directed that further consideration be given to legalizing the sale of small turtles.
So, the ban remains in effect for the time being, but the situation may change in the future.
What to Do?
You can contact the FDA (888-463-0332) regarding violations of the turtle sale rule. If you own a hatchling, ask your local humane society for advice, but do not release it. The Center for Disease Control provides safety guidelines for turtle owners.
It is important to keep in mind that the irresistible little turtles grow rapidly into large, active animals. Proper care entails full-spectrum lighting, a heated, filtered aquarium (of 75-100 gallon capacity for adults) and a well-balanced diet. Do not purchase sick turtles in hope of curing them, as this is a difficult prospect even for a veterinarian. Rather, report the matter to your local humane society.
Learning More
Red Eared Sliders turn up in the unlikeliest of places…I’ve found them in sites ranging from the Bronx River to temple ponds in Japan; please see Typical and Atypical Slider Habitats for more info and photos.
Please check out this recent Mississippi Newspaper Article for a turtle farmer’s view.
Please write in with your questions and comments.
Thanks, until next time,
Frank Indiviglio
Red eared Slider Hatchling image referenced from wikipedia and originally posted by Jf268
Red eared Slider Laying Egg image referenced from wikipedia and originally posted by Nephets
(+1 rating, 1 votes) Loading ...Turtles Have Shells,But They Still Need a Place to Hide! – Part 2
Nov 16th
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. Please see Part I of this article for general information concerning pet turtle shelters. Today we’ll look at meeting the needs of a few specialists.
Aquatic Bottom Dwellers
Mata Mata Turtles (Chelus fimbriatus), Snapping Turtles (Chelydra serpentina), Alligator Snapping Turtles (Macroclemmys temmincki) and some other aquatic species prefer to burrow under plants or mud, and rarely use caves. These turtles can easily be accommodated with Hagen Suction Cup-Equipped Plants. By positioning the suction cups so that the plant just touches the bottom of the aquarium, you can create a naturalistic shelter …several plants used in together can accommodate quite large specimens.
Shallow Water/Swamp Dwellers
Bog Turtles (Clemmys muhlenbergi) and other retiring, shallow water species are usually most comfortable in heavily planted terrariums, with plenty of dead wood and moss available for hiding (please see photo). These will readily utilize artificial plants as well.
Large Tortoises
That 150 pound Spurred Tortoise you’ve raised will need a custom built “house”, but for most large terrestrial turtles, you can also use the Hagen plants described above. This actually suits tortoises quite well – in the wild most shelter within brush and under leaves, and not in “caves” per se.
Softshell Turtles
Softshell Turtles of all species are specialists, and do best when provided with fine sand in which to burrow. Although excellent swimmers, they prefer to shelter below sand in shallow water, so that they can breathe by merely extending their necks to the surface. Although sand complicates cleaning, most softshells fare poorly without it.
A Hundred Year Old Home
You can also create your own shelters…broken clay flower pots are an old standby. The Common Musk Turtle (Sternotherus odoratus) pictured here has been with me for 40 years. It is posing before its very unique cave – a 100 year old tile from the roof of the Bronx Zoo’s Reptile House!
Further Reading
The Eastern Spiny Softshell Turtle (Apalone spinifera spinifera) has specific habitat requirements in both captivity (please see above) and the wild, and is threatened throughout much of its range. A comprehensive recovery plan containing interesting natural history notes is posted here.
Please write in with your questions and comments.
Thanks, until next time,
Frank Indiviglio
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Turtles Have Shells But They Still Need a Place to Hide! – Part 1
Oct 30th
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. One of the most over-looked aspects of proper turtle care is the provision of a secure place to hide. It makes sense that a hiding place would seem unnecessary – after all, turtles can simply withdraw into their shells when threatened. However, it’s not that simple (as usual!).
Shelter Use in Nature and Captivity
Even though their shells are often hard, and offer excellent camouflage – imagine a box turtle on a forest floor or a leopard tortoise among brush – most turtles become quite stressed if denied a secure place to hide. Even bold, long-term captives prefer a shelter, at least for sleeping.
Particularly retiring species, such as mata mata, bog and Malayan snail-eating turtles, will 
often fail to thrive if kept in bare surroundings. Hatchlings, even of common snapping turtles and other aggressive species, are consumed by predators ranging from giant water bugs to herons…most are always “on guard” and will refuse to eat unless given ample cover.
Note: at 80+ pounds, the Common Snapper Pictured here is among the heaviest ever recorded. He is on exhibit at The Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery, which houses an extensive collection of native reptiles and amphibians.
Useful Shelters for Terrestrial and Aquatic Turtles
The Zoo Med Turtle Hut, available in 5 sizes, suits nearly all land-dwelling turtles. R Zilla Rock Dens sink, and so can be used on land or underwater (check that aquatic turtles cannot lodge themselves inside too tightly, and provide larger shelters as they grow).
The Zoo Med Turtle Dock can be set up to serve both as a basking platform and hideaway for aquatic turtles. When used in shallow water, the sloping side, top of the platform and tank’s wall form a nice underwater cave readily used by young painted, spotted, mud and other turtles.
Next time we’ll take a look at a few species that have special needs, and I’ll add a note about an old turtle of mine that hides within a unique, very old “cave”. Please write in with your questions and comments.
Further Reading
For an interesting report on Eastern box turtle natural history, including the use of shelters in the wild, please look here.
Thanks, until next time,
Frank Indiviglio
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Turtle Eye Ailments: Vitamin A Deficiencies and Eye Infections
Aug 7th
Pet turtles, especially hatchlings and young specimens, are very commonly afflicted with Vitamin A deficiencies and eye infections, both of which usually render the eyes swollen and/or difficult to open. Eventually, the turtle will become listless, cease feeding and decline rapidly in condition.
Addressing Eye Problems
While turtle eye drops are available and can be effective in certain situations, a veterinary visit should be your first step when your turtle exhibits any type of eye ailment. It is important to determine the nature of the problem before attempting treatment, as an infection will need be addressed differently than a Vitamin A deficiency. Only a veterinarian can make this determination. You can apply eye drops as a safeguard, but do not attempt treatment without a professional diagnosis.
Good Husbandry as a Disease Preventative
Be sure to provide your turtle with ample UVB radiation (the Zoo Med 10.0 bulb positioned within 12 inches of the basking site, is ideal), a balanced diet, and an appropriately warm basking site, so that its immune system will be functioning at full capacity.
As is true for all reptiles, proper husbandry is the most effective medicine at our disposal – please write in if you need specific information concerning the turtles in your collection.
Further Reading
You can read more about addressing turtle eye problems on the website of the Arizona Exotic Animal Hospital.
Please write in with your questions and comments.
Thanks,
until next time,
Frank Indiviglio.
Image referenced from Wikipedia commons and was first posted by Jmalik
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