New additions to my family (Pics)

[Trista]

Diara - it's an African name that means gift - or the gift. I liked the name and he was a gift from my mom so it fit. He is only 2 months old.



Tuck - or at least that is what I'm calling him until or unless I find a better name for him. I saw a classified ad for a 20gallon tank and free RES with a heatrock .....needless to say I contacted the owner and said I would be there to get him right away. You wouldn't believe the filth - Standing in the driveway you could smell the place...And when I walked in it just about knocked me out. It was horrible. So there he was....In a 20gallon fish tank with no water and a hotrock. You could tell there was water in the tank at one time because you couldn't see in due to the slime build up. She said that she hadn't had water in the tank for about a month. I picked him up and he was ice cold - I guess he didn't like the hot rock. She put him into a small box for the car ride home. As I loaded everything into the car she was telling me what she fed him - raw chicken. We (mom, sister and I) got into the car to drive home which was about 30minutes away and the smell was overpowering. Lucky me got to sit right next to the filth because it wouldn't fit into the trunk .... I was gagging the whole way home...I didn't think I would make it into the house, but after I got inside I was feeling a bit better. I opened the box to get the turtle out and he smelled just as bad..... needless to say I thought I had a strong stomach until it came to that kind of smell lol. Anyway...He is now in a large rubbermaid tub until I can find one of those plastic do it yourself pond linings to set up for him. He seems to be happy now and eats like a pig. Though he is very shy and will tuck into his shell if he sees anyone or hears anything - and that's why I'm calling him tuck for now.
BTW, he has more water than that now...that little bit was just to rinse some smell off of him lol.


Anyway, I'm Sorry this was so long. I hope you enjoy the pics!

[ChamZilla]

Hey there Trista,

Good save with the RES, I have also rescued one. You can scrub them with a soft bristle tooth brush but be sure no to change the water temperature too rapidly. Its kind of a shock.

You should also know that a turtle does need a dry section in there tank with UV and a heat light. Turtle pellets are a stable diet along with some greens, meal worms, crickets, goldfish and things like that. But NEVER any raw meat. And make sure that what you feed him is captive bread and not caught outside. Just to be safe.

That tortoise is absolutly gorgeous! They are a lot to take care of and will out live there owners if taken care of properly. Do you know what kind he/she is? And how to care for it properly? Just makeing sure he lives a full happy healthy life

Good luck and keep us updated

[Trista]

Thanks!

Yes he has a ramp leading to dry land where I have a ReptiSun and heat set up (soon I will be setting up a MegaRay) The basking temp. is usually between 93-96 degrees. He doesn't seem to be using it much though- he just wants to enjoy the water. He's never had anything other than pellets and raw chicken so I figured he wouldn't take to kindly to anything else, but he has surprised me. I didn't get a chance to get any insects for him yet but will be doing so today. So far I've given him pellets, greens (dandelion, collard, turnip) a few pieces of shredded carrot, raspberries, and a small piece of boiled chicken. He really went nuts over the raspberries. Raspberries are a big hit in this house - it's a favorite for all my little monsters.

As for the tortoise he is a leopard tort. I've got him setup with a MegaRay. I know his dietary, UV&heat and habitat needs and am still learning everyday....You can never learn to much, right? ;D

[ChamZilla]

good good, just stop feeding that RES chicken. Any meat that is for us isn't good for him. And since he's been eating raw chicken all this time I'm sure he has salmonila already. BUT always practice safe hygene between handling different animals. EXPECIALLY turtles to another animal and expecially yourself. Good luck. And sometiems they don't use the basking spots right away. Ours was never offerd a basking spot of her whole 13 years or calcium supplements or UV. She has bad pyramiding of her shell and now loves her basking spot.

[Trista]

No chicken - got it. I just gave him small piece the first day he was here because everything was so new to him and I thought he would like something familiar - though I boiled it instead of giving raw. No worries on the good hygene... I definitely wash my hands and forearms anytime I touch anything that is in or around any of my animals - also before and after handling each individual....and then some... Thank you so much for all of your advise...

Do you mind if I ask a question? I can't seem to find the answer anywhere...maybe I'm just not looking hard enough, but what is an appropriate weight for a RES his size and age. He's 3 1/2yrs. old and is approx. 6inches. and weighs 1 pound exact.

Thanks!