Got some turtle pellet ?'s

[EricIvins]

I've always fed high Protein Fish food and never had a problem. Right now it's Purina Game Fish chow, which is basically the same as Aqua Max, just cheaper......

 

[AFRO-thunder]

The problem with high protein contents of food is that turtles don't grow nicely and it affects their organs over a long time. The worst example is pyramiding in tortoises, which is directly linked with too much protein and insufficient moisture.

Here is a pic from the internet which shows the problem:

This is what it should look like:

The same thing can be seen in turtles too:

This is what it should look like:

 

[Louie]

The problem with high protein contents of food is that turtles don't grow nicely and it affects their organs over a long time. The worst example is pyramiding in tortoises, which is directly linked with too much protein and insufficient moisture.

Here is a pic from the internet which shows the problem:

This is what it should look like:

The same thing can be seen in turtles too:

This is what it should look like:

That last pic is fantastic looking. Is it a cooter?

 

[Louie]

Thanks Seth. I figured the fish pellets would be fine but I was curious if anyone else was doing it. My turts also get quite a bit of natural sun so that helps too I suppose.

Do you take yours out daily than bring them in at night?

I ask as recall you werent keen on leaving them out 24/7 .

 

[AFRO-thunder]

@Louie: It is indeed some sort of cooter. Pseudemys floridana to be precise ;-)

 

[Louie]

@Louie: It is indeed some sort of cooter. Pseudemys floridana to be precise ;-)

Thanks. I have a small one (CB) which as it grows loses more shell color and friend has pond in his yard with adults . The one in that pic for what looks like an adult or young adult has fantastic coloration .

 

[CTU2fan]

Do you take yours out daily than bring them in at night?

I ask as recall you werent keen on leaving them out 24/7 .

I was leaving them out last summer, now that they're bigger I'm not as worried about it. When they were hatchlings I didn't risk it, I also had a hawk lurking around back then; I haven't seen him lately.

The plan this summer is to get a cheap aboveground pool from Walmart and leave them out 24/7. If we have another cold winter I'd bring them in, but otherwise I plan to keep them out.

 

[Louie]

I was leaving them out last summer, now that they're bigger I'm not as worried about it. When they were hatchlings I didn't risk it, I also had a hawk lurking around back then; I haven't seen him lately.

The plan this summer is to get a cheap aboveground pool from Walmart and leave them out 24/7. If we have another cold winter I'd bring them in, but otherwise I plan to keep them out.

I use a 75 gallon water trough with screen over it 1 inch gauge and works great. I wouldnt do it w/o screen top of some sort unless deep water which is not my case.

I have an army of raccoons who live in area and no problems as used cable ties but now clamps to secure screen in place.

I think they do just as well inside as out with correct bulbs but just so easy outside and they seem to enjoy it.

 

[CTU2fan]

I agree. With young hatchlings up to a year or 2 old I think the natural sun really helps them, and they will do better than with even the best bulbs...but mine are nearly 3 years old and IMO would do just as well inside. But outside I can give them a bigger pond, I'm shooting for a 8' diameter pool.

I haven't seen any raccoons around. Just hawks and vultures and a lot of snakes.

 

[Louie]

I agree. With young hatchlings up to a year or 2 old I think the natural sun really helps them, and they will do better than with even the best bulbs...but mine are nearly 3 years old and IMO would do just as well inside. But outside I can give them a bigger pond, I'm shooting for a 8' diameter pool.

I haven't seen any raccoons around. Just hawks and vultures and a lot of snakes.

That turtle water is worth its weight in gold as far as watering out door plants.