All Turtles Message Board

deesygirl · Moderator Joined: 12 Sep 2002 Posts: 1228

I noticed many myths seeming to permiate our site and figured it is probably time to get some more information out there.

Myth #1. Releasing turtles into the wild. This one comes up occasionaly and myself as well as others felt that turtles could not survive if released. We were wrong. Now this does not mean that all turtles can or should be released. The following web site has the best and most detailed information concerning this.
http://critterguy.museum.msu.edu/FAQ/Turtles.html
I first came across this issue when I was watching a program where animal control was called to pick up a snapper that had grown to large and the family did not want it. I was horrified when it was released into a local river. So I called the animal controls office and asked about it. My search then went to zooologists, herptologists as well as the humane society. I found that only one person upheld the belief that you can not release a captive kept turtle ( provided the above rules are met).

Myth #2 Turtles need a companion. All of us have seen the cute turtle stacks. I love it when my turtles do that. SO most people assume turtles like and need a companion. Wrong. Turtles are much better off when kept as an individual and not as a pair or group. Females mostly, but males also tend to get territorial as they get older. If you plan on keeping your turtles for their life span, and you should, then you need to realize there is a large potential for problems. Encouraging others to get more than one perpetuates the problem. Most people will have problems in the tank as these turtles age. I myself have multiple turtles but it has not been without cost. Pet stores, when they are honest can tell you of many instances where larger females will bite off the heads and limbs of the smaller turtles. That is just how they are. In the wild the smaller turtles have places to hide from the more aggressive females. In your tank they can't. If you want more than one turtle, make sure you have seperate tanks for them.

There are a couple more but I will do a seperate post on them.

RESrule · Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2005 8:36 pm Post subject:

cool
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turtlelover21 · Level 1 Joined: 01 Aug 2005 Posts: 5

thank you soo much!!!

RESrule · Posted: Tue Aug 02, 2005 9:30 am Post subject:

ur welcome Laughing

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Learn something new,explore,wonder how, look it up,ask questions and always stay curious...

Grifter · Level 3 Joined: 01 Sep 2002 Posts: 134

omg i have 6 Surprised

striparella · Level 1 Joined: 21 Jun 2005 Posts: 19 Location: Toronto

Indeed,they are costly (even the little plastic ornamental plants are very,very expensive- cheapest 15 $ a little tree) and indeed the girls bite the newcomers.

buddy · Guest Joined: 16 Dec 2005 Posts: 4 Location: Canada

I felt bad cause my RES was all alone and was thinking about getting him a friend but now that I know they're better on their own I think I'll keep it that way.

jacey · Posted: Wed Dec 28, 2005 12:59 am Post subject: what if they grew up together?

What if I have had them both as babies, and they have grown up together so far? They are both about a year and a half old.

But I will say that they are both into fanning each other in the face ALOT,
And they do snap at each other when they do.

So far nothing has happened though, but I would like to know if this is something to worry about.

Thank you guys!

J. Smile

dixieee · Posted: Wed Dec 28, 2005 2:36 am Post subject:

there might be exceptions Smile

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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

jacey · Posted: Wed Dec 28, 2005 12:01 pm Post subject: My babies..

Hopefully they are.

Their names are Doofus and Baby. And I just ADORE them:)

J. Very Happy

dixieee · Posted: Wed Dec 28, 2005 2:43 pm Post subject:

doofus and baby ..nice names Very Happy

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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

jacey · Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2005 7:56 pm Post subject: Thank you!

Thank you!

The names so fit them too:)

Who is Leo, if you dont mind me asking?

J. Smile

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We are the voice for the ones who cannot speak.

dixieee · Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2005 4:16 am Post subject:

leo was my best turtle. he suffered RI and passed away so quickly. he was always with me, took him everywhere that's why i consider him a good friend
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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

jacey · Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2005 11:48 am Post subject: Oh, Im so sorry.......

Oh Dixieee... Crying or Very sad

I am so sorry for your loss!

And I saw that picture with Leo on the ceramic turtle.. I hope you do keep it, as time goes on you will be able to pick it up and look at it with love,not just saddness! I know. I have a few ceramic memories of my own that I treasure and I would never ever dream of letting them go:)

You were blessed to have Leo in your life Smile

And Leo was blessed to have you as a friend! Very Happy

Jacey
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We are the voice for the ones who cannot speak.

Robin_Luver13 · Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2005 12:06 pm Post subject:

im sorry for your loss dixieee.... respiratory infections are evil!

Crying or Very sad

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I'm back! Hope I can help...

I love my baby, Robin, an Eastern Painted Turtle

dixieee · Posted: Sun Jan 01, 2006 4:07 am Post subject:

thanx jacey and rubin lover. yeah he left many pix for me b4 leaving. he always did something special so i think of taking a pic for him as if he knew he would leave those memories soon.

anyways thanx again Smile

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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

JJock · Posted: Wed Jan 11, 2006 8:57 pm Post subject:

i had a baby common snapper die from that mouth rot stuff.. when like there lower jaw turns white.. i think its called stomatis or something... i tried to treat it too, no luck!

Rolling Eyes

cutie202005 · Posted: Wed Jan 11, 2006 9:40 pm Post subject: ???

what are respitory infections?? and how do they accure???
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*CUTIE*

dixieee · Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2006 6:57 am Post subject:

sorry for ur snapper Sad

cutie202005 RI is a common fatal diseases among turtles especially hatchlings and its a problem with their lungs and the whole respiratory system that they can't breath and will gasp for air until they eventually pass away. they can be infected by it easily with temperature changes and it is difficult to cure at its late stages
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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

lpierce · Guest Joined: 06 Feb 2006 Posts: 3 Location: houston

yikes! did not know these little guys where so delicate!? just got mine- RES Saturday!

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Smile

LP

turtleman941 · Level 3 Joined: 13 Apr 2006 Posts: 165 Location: Oregon

im getting 2 but i have 2 places for then to stay Cool

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I LOVE TURTLES!!!!!!!!

Nevfalath · Posted: Sat Apr 22, 2006 6:25 pm Post subject:

Even when they have been together since birth, they can still turn on one another. I have two hatchlings that had been together since day one. By the time they were 6 months old, one of them attacked and killed the other one.

You can read more about keeping two turtles together here.
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-= Shannon =-

Nevfalath · Posted: Sat Apr 22, 2006 6:33 pm Post subject:

If one is planning on relseasing a turtle into the wild, please read the information given on the link DeesyGirl has provided. That is the best way to rehabilitate a turtle. If you are unable to follow the instructions given, I strongly suggest finding a specialized turtle rehabilitator who can.
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-= Shannon =-

tylerking80 · Level 2 Joined: 18 May 2006 Posts: 38

i have a few goldfish in the tank with my res that were originally supposed to be food. well, they survived and now the tank doesn't look so lonely for the turtle. he still chases them occasionally to show them who's boss.

sunny41 · Posted: Sun May 21, 2006 11:45 am Post subject:

i was reading an book called "turtles" and it show an pic of an missippi map turtle it said that they can dei easily is that true?
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jennyb · Guest Joined: 11 Jun 2006 Posts: 1

My family and I have property down in Woodburn Iowa, my grandparents are staying in a camper in the driveway and my grandma seen a hugggee turtle and she made a burrow next to the driveway and was there from about 7am to 1pm, and she layed tons of eggs, we arent sure what kind of turtle she is but my grandpa said it was the biggest one he had ever seen. My question is how long does it take for turtle eggs to ferment??? Please help!! thanks, Jen

dixieee · Posted: Mon Jun 12, 2006 2:26 am Post subject:

welcome to the board Smile

it should take them 60-120 days. not all eggs are expected to hatch but i wish u the best. so did u move them?

btw, if u can get pix of the turtle we can help ID it.
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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

Lion777 · Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2007 11:52 am Post subject:

I just want to say hello and I'm back. I hope you guys remember me.
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Joshua. I love God's Creations

dixieee · Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007 3:57 am Post subject:

welcome back Smile

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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

Turday · Level 2 Joined: 29 Aug 2006 Posts: 97

i heard turtles were bad luck Sad

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Aug 29 2006

sammy-beaner · Level 1 Joined: 10 Jun 2007 Posts: 7

If turtles are bad luck then that explains my bad luck. Just kidding i never heard that, and even if i did . i dont believe that...

Rachel16 · Level 3 Joined: 18 Jul 2007 Posts: 366

the baby turtle on the left (Tara) died for no aparent reason if u have any suggestions on wat may have happened plz tell me.
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Tara Dakota

In memory of Tara who died unexpectedly 4Pm on January 14, 2007