All Turtles Message Board

Adventsparky · Level 1 Joined: 18 Jun 2007 Posts: 5

I don't mind admitting that I am very distressed and worried about this. I was away on holidays for 5 days but had someone feeding my turtle each evening. the tank was cleaned right before I left and the second I got back,

However on the evening I got back I heard some squeaking in my room, I could not figure out what it was so ignored it, today I realized it is in fact my turtle! I have had him for almost a year now and he has never made a sound, now he sits craning his neck up to the surface squeaking. a lot.

I am very worried about this. Is it normal? Is it a sign that he is sick? too cold? Too hot?

Any help at all will be greatly appreciated as I am at a complete loss here Sad

Thanks for your time

MinisMommy · Level 3 Joined: 06 Jun 2007 Posts: 103

well too cold or too hot? Whats your thermometer say? Water needs to be 78f and the basking area about 88f. Make sure that there is plenty of room to swim around and a clean basking area. It kind of sounds like you are describing a caugh which could mean he is getting sick or has a respiratory infection. Is the turtle floating? Or does it seem like its having a hard time keeping its body under the water? Is it eating normally?

Adventsparky · Level 1 Joined: 18 Jun 2007 Posts: 5

Ok I just double check everything, Water is 78F exactly, I may turn it up a few degrees to see does it help.

I don't actually have a temp reading for the basking area I'm, afraid but I will invest in a thermometer of some kind.

as for the swimming around, He doesn't have the most room in the world as he is getting to that time where I mist migrate him to a bigger tank which will happen in the next few weeks, if all goes well.

He's not floating at all, and for the last few weeks he has been eating more, live worms is all he eats. Maybe it's possible he wasn't given enough while I was away and he's feeling the effects of it?

I was just about to say I haven't heard him do it this morning but just as I said that I heard his little squeak.

Thank you very much for your interest

MinisMommy · Level 3 Joined: 06 Jun 2007 Posts: 103

rais the water temp... and move the basking light closer. the basking light is a UVB/UVA right? they need both rays... also, your turtle needs to be in a big ebought tank to support them, they need the room to swim, have all their bodily functions work, growth, and quality of life. I know you are probably in a tight space right now... but a really cheap way to give your turtle a bigger environment is to get a 30 or so gal rubbermade container.. like a big tote. These run cheap... and be creative with making a basking plat forms, I have seen everything from a flower pot, to baboo shoots, to upside down containers... just use what you can find. The turtle really needs about 10 gal per in... 3 in turtle needs to be in 30 gal and so forth.

Male turtles tend to grunt (sounds like a little burp) where as female turtles hiss. Are you hearing either or these or is it really a sqeak? It could be a caugh, or it could just be normal... Not feeding enough for a week wouldnt cause it to get sick.

Adventsparky · Level 1 Joined: 18 Jun 2007 Posts: 5

Ok Raised the water temp a tad and moved the lamp a bit closer. I don't think its a cough or anything though because it really does seem voluntary. Maybe he just missed me Wink

It's neither a burpy sound or a hissy sound. Most definitely a squeak, I'd love to record it for you but after almost a year he is still terrified of me.

I went window shopping today and will be getting a nice big tank for him very soon. I feel much better about it now though in terms of I'm not so worried that he is sick anymore, I wouldn't really have quick access to a vet who could manage a wee turtle. Thank you for your help Smile