All Turtles Message Board

Posada · Level 2 Joined: 18 Apr 2005 Posts: 31

Im not sure how dangerous it is, I imagine it cant be that bad if its on land, if its on water you\'d have to worry about drowning. My turtle will fall on his shell sometimes as well, she can usually make it back right side up after a few swings of her head. Though some of the senior members will be able to help you out more.

Oh and one way to tell if ur turtle is a boy or girl, look at the bottom of thier shell, the females are flat and the males have a little dip. Depending on the age it might be too young to tell.

Hope this helps.
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RIP Sour
If you're ever not sure of anything with your pet, and kind any information that is 100% accurate, always contact your vet if you're not sure.

STRAYKINGFISHER · Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2005 1:58 pm Post subject: Re: Dangerous on his back?

The danger in having a turtle stay on its shell for a long time is that since it cannot walk away from the sun or the basking lamp, it will die of dehydration, in the water, if the water is not deep enough for it to right itself, it runs the risk of drowning, I am not sure if anything internal will cause it to suffocate, I haven\'t found any references yet, if I do I will post them.
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skippysmom · Level 1 Joined: 11 Jan 2005 Posts: 19

Thanks, usually he flaps his legs until he flips off the dock into the water. Another site said that if we put plain paper near the dock on the outside of the tank he might not try to climb out anymore because he can\'t see out. We have an aquarium scene on there now and they thought Skippy might think he can get to it so that\'s why he keeps trying. We\'re going to try plain paper to see if it helps. Also, we think Skippy is too young to tell if it\'s a boy or girl. He? is only about 5 months old. We actually are starting to think he\'s a girl but we are going to keep saying \"he\" until we know for sure. The shell on the bottom is fairly flat.

STRAYKINGFISHER · Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2005 11:47 pm Post subject: Re: Dangerous on his back?

I don\'t think what kind of background you put on the tank, they naturally want to escape, especially when the see someone coming near. Very Happy

I wouldn\'t worry about your turtle being a boy or a girl at least until it gets about 5 or 6 inches in length.
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toxiceagle2007 · Posted: Sat Apr 23, 2005 1:22 am Post subject: Re: Dangerous on his back?

My turtles are going insane. They see their reflection in the glass and are always swimming right for it. Its kinda funny to watch...the turtle is swimming, and swimming, and swimming, and then BOINK it hits the glass! Very Happy

I hope they don\'t get brain damage.
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My turtles are now nameless. I haven't found two good names that I can get to stick...

dixieee · Posted: Sat Apr 23, 2005 3:44 pm Post subject: Re: Dangerous on his back?

is it an aquatic turtle?? they\'re not supposed to not be able to get back if they flipped cz they can\'t flip in water,,they just swim normally the way they want
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Wed 10/27/2004 is the worst day..i lost my best friend Leo

so now i have a female RES, Green, and a cute stupid male YBS, Mint

5/4/2006 RIP Lemon, u were my first rescue and i'm so proud of u. will never 4get u

kelleytidwell · Posted: Sat May 21, 2005 11:22 am Post subject: Might be why mine's sick

This might be why mine is sick, the other baby keeps flippin him over all week this week and he'd land on his back, I would sit and watch to see if he'd flip over but it worried me and I flipped him overmyself. Maybe that's why he's sick he's got pnamonia or water on the lungs.

dixieee · Posted: Sat May 21, 2005 11:59 am Post subject:

no..water should be deep enough so it flips by itself
_________________
Wed 10/27/2004 is the worst day..i lost my best friend Leo

so now i have a female RES, Green, and a cute stupid male YBS, Mint

5/4/2006 RIP Lemon, u were my first rescue and i'm so proud of u. will never 4get u

yaya · Level 4 Joined: 10 Jun 2004 Posts: 558

i'm not sure but i think i read somewhere that the plastron is too heavy for they lung when the turtle is on her back..(i think it was a res but i'm not sure) i try to find it back...
my turtle end-up on her back once(and i don't know how long) but when i find her she was breathing very,very slowly...almost like if she was trying to save what air was left...

o.k. i didn't find the article but i find this in the fisrt aid section(drowned turtle) but it kind of confirm what i was saying;
Never turn turtle on its back! If you do this, you may eliminate it's only airspace left.
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i'm not a expert,i just try to help....

dixieee · Posted: Sun May 22, 2005 4:24 am Post subject:

makes sense..when the turtle flip in shallow water it will drown too so ot's the same case
_________________
Wed 10/27/2004 is the worst day..i lost my best friend Leo

so now i have a female RES, Green, and a cute stupid male YBS, Mint

5/4/2006 RIP Lemon, u were my first rescue and i'm so proud of u. will never 4get u

STRAYKINGFISHER · Posted: Sun May 22, 2005 10:52 am Post subject:

Here is an Anatomy lesson that you guys and gals might like:

The turtle body is encased in a shell made up of an inner bony layer and, in most instances, an outer layer that is covered with horny scales. The top part of the shell, which protects the animal’s back, is called the carapace. The bottom part, which protects the belly, is called the plastron.
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Scientists recognize two categories of turtles and tortoises—hidden-necked and side-necked. Hidden-necked species pull their heads directly backwards so that the neck vertebrae curve into a U-shape, as shown on the bottom left. In contrast, side-necked turtles, shown on the right, snake their neck sideways to tuck their head under the shell.
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The characteristic feature of a turtle is its shell, which has an inner, bony layer and in most instances, an outer layer covered with large scales called scutes or shields. All of a turtle's internal organs have adapted to function within this unusual armor.
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All these pictures are from:
http://ca.encarta.msn.com/media_461514733_761567017_-1_1/Turtle_Neck_Retraction.html

Enjoy Very Happy

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SeaBerryDelight · Guest Joined: 22 May 2005 Posts: 2

My turtle keeps fliping over, sometimes on purpose Rolling Eyes

. Why is he doing that? Right now I have him in a little carrier tank (he isn't too big yet) until I get him a new aqaurium and a habitat.

Another question, I am confused on how to tell if my turtle is a boy or girl

......some sites say that if his stomache is flat then it is a boy and others say the oposite. My turtle has a flat stomache and small claws.
I think he is a red ear slider because he has a reddish-brown stripe on both sides of his face and yellowish spots on his back.

I know this is a stupid question since there is a thing about feeding turtles on this site but what can I feed my turtle? I am feeding him regular turtle pellets. What else would you experienced turtle lovers feed your turtle

Thanks!

kelleytidwell · Posted: Sun May 22, 2005 10:34 pm Post subject:

I had the same question Dixiedee gave me this it helped me see why they fight and are so grrrr.. MEN!
MALE

FEMALE

dixieee · Posted: Mon May 23, 2005 7:35 am Post subject:

u should have him in something deeper so it can swim..ur turtle might be trying to escape that's why it keeps flipping on its back

for the gender, kelleytidwell posted the pix Smile

for food, turtle pellets contain everything they need but u can give them boiled chicken, shrimps, luncheon meat, cooked meat, turkey, and fish as treats only..they LOVE tuna fish Smile

as they grow older u'll have to offer more fruits and veggies like romaine lettuce (NOT iceberg or spinach)

good luck and if u have any more questions, feel free to start a new post and ask Smile

_________________
Wed 10/27/2004 is the worst day..i lost my best friend Leo

so now i have a female RES, Green, and a cute stupid male YBS, Mint

5/4/2006 RIP Lemon, u were my first rescue and i'm so proud of u. will never 4get u

kelleytidwell · Posted: Mon May 23, 2005 9:36 am Post subject:

Dixiedee,
What kind of fruits and Veggies do most RES like? I think that will help mine out tramindiously. (I hate big words...) I know he ripped apart the plants I bought at the store, and the plastic lol. Very Happy

SeaBerryDelight · Guest Joined: 22 May 2005 Posts: 2

Thanks for the info Very Happy

I will take your advice and give my turtle a bigger swimming area and try the suggested treats.
Can I get my turtle a friend or will they fight Question

dixieee · Posted: Tue May 24, 2005 7:54 am Post subject:

veggies like green leaves (mostly lettuce), corn, hmm what else..anything similar like cucumber..
fruits, they like bananas and strawberries mostly..u can also give them apples, pears (mine liked it), grapes, other berries..

SeaBerryDelight if ur turtle is still a baby and new then u can get one but as soon as possible (if u have the space too following the rule of 10 gallons/inch of turtle shell, so if u have 2 turtles u will have to add up their shell lengths...)..what is ur turtle species? if u have a RES i strongly recommend getting something else cz RES's are not that friendly with each other IF they don't come at the same time..get a YBS they have to be fine cz that's what i did and they are happy together Smile

_________________
Wed 10/27/2004 is the worst day..i lost my best friend Leo

so now i have a female RES, Green, and a cute stupid male YBS, Mint

5/4/2006 RIP Lemon, u were my first rescue and i'm so proud of u. will never 4get u

cutie202005 · Posted: Sat Sep 03, 2005 5:20 pm Post subject: :P

I read that banana's aren't that good for them and they are very addicting so if iw as you i'd just stay awy from banana's
Jenn
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*CUTIE*

dixieee · Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2005 5:12 am Post subject:

that's true but sometimes i have to use "junk food" so my turtles get eating (especially for new ones)
_________________
Wed 10/27/2004 is the worst day..i lost my best friend Leo

so now i have a female RES, Green, and a cute stupid male YBS, Mint

5/4/2006 RIP Lemon, u were my first rescue and i'm so proud of u. will never 4get u