I know nothing about turtles except they make me go awwwww!
August 8, 2010 8:20 PM
Identify this adorable turtle!
It's about the size of a Kennedy half-dollar. I would have taken a picture of the underside, but flipping him/her over seemed mean. My googling makes me think red-eared slider, but I haven't found many pictures of them when they're still little bitty things. So I turn to the experts of MeFi to confirm/conjecture!
Bonus question: This turtle belongs to my roommate, who in turn received it from a friend who gave her the little critter with some pellet-type turtle food. But wikipedia says it's bad to feed them primarily with the fake stuff if it is a RES. Should I tell her, or is that not accurate? He/she also has the pictured lettuce leaf to chomp on, so hopefully that's good for its little turtle tummy.
I am like a new mom, all full of questions and angst, and it's not even my pet...
It's about the size of a Kennedy half-dollar. I would have taken a picture of the underside, but flipping him/her over seemed mean. My googling makes me think red-eared slider, but I haven't found many pictures of them when they're still little bitty things. So I turn to the experts of MeFi to confirm/conjecture!
Bonus question: This turtle belongs to my roommate, who in turn received it from a friend who gave her the little critter with some pellet-type turtle food. But wikipedia says it's bad to feed them primarily with the fake stuff if it is a RES. Should I tell her, or is that not accurate? He/she also has the pictured lettuce leaf to chomp on, so hopefully that's good for its little turtle tummy.
I am like a new mom, all full of questions and angst, and it's not even my pet...
Red-eared slider. Turtle pellets aren't really what they like, but I suppose it's like a turtle vitamin. Bugs, pond weeds, lettuce, mealworms maybe.
posted by bolognius maximus at 8:27 PM on August 8, 2010
posted by bolognius maximus at 8:27 PM on August 8, 2010
This is a really good link with care details. As a side note, make sure you wash your hands thoroughly after handling him, as he is likely shedding Salmonella.
posted by bolognius maximus at 8:30 PM on August 8, 2010
posted by bolognius maximus at 8:30 PM on August 8, 2010
That is a cute-ass turtle, a'ight. Bolognius maximus isn't kidding about the salmonella, either. I got it from a gecko once; it won't kill you, but you'll sure wish you were dead.
posted by infinitywaltz at 8:34 PM on August 8, 2010
posted by infinitywaltz at 8:34 PM on August 8, 2010
I's say a red-eared too. Usually their "ears" (really just marks on the side of its head) are even redder, but that might be because of its age. Their are a lot of other kinds of sliders though, but it probably doesn't make a lot of difference to the care and diet they need. Given time it will get big. Most I've seen are saucer to dinner plate size.
posted by Some1 at 8:45 PM on August 8, 2010
posted by Some1 at 8:45 PM on August 8, 2010
Yes, RES. I raised a batch of bite-sized ones to the legal 6 inches with pellets, a cuttlebone in their tank, and the occasional treat of lettuce leaf or live goldfish (horrific and messy). They need water enough to swim in, a place to bask, and a light to bask under; full-spectrum bulbs (UVA/UVB) are good to have, or natural sunlight (not through glass/window). Biggest hassle was keeping the water clean; I kept mine in a 10 gal tank in the bathroom and dumped and refilled their water twice a day.
posted by The otter lady at 9:08 PM on August 8, 2010
posted by The otter lady at 9:08 PM on August 8, 2010
(baby to about 6 inches took about a year)
posted by The otter lady at 9:08 PM on August 8, 2010
posted by The otter lady at 9:08 PM on August 8, 2010
Thanks so much everyone! I'll e-mail her that link. Looks like even easy turtles need a lot of TLC.
posted by alygator at 7:48 AM on August 9, 2010
posted by alygator at 7:48 AM on August 9, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by ainsley at 8:27 PM on August 8, 2010