All Turtles Message Board

Thelonious · Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2007 8:59 am Post subject: New Baby Red Ear Sliders

Hello all. On June 11, 2007 I watched an adult female RES come out of the lake and walk all the way across the yard to find a good place to deposit her eggs. Once she was done and returned to the water, I protected the eggs from predators and searched the internet for all I could find that would tell me what to do next. Basically the answer was "Wait." So wait I did. Yesterday, after 17 weeks of waiting, 6 new turtles clawed their way out of the ground into the sunlight. Wow, what an experience. Anyway, I put them in a plastic tub containing lake water. I obtained some guppies and mealworms for them but they do not seem to be interested. Can anyone tell me how soon after hatching I can expect them to eat and what else do I need to do from here to ensure their survival as much as possible? I would like to keep 2 and introduce the other 4 into the lake at an appropriate time. I live in middle Tennessee. Thanks for your help.

STRAYKINGFISHER · Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2007 7:32 pm Post subject:

Trying to help them out is a very kind gesture, but nature has its own design on all matters, if we all tried to save the eggs of every turtle that comes out of that lake, pertty soon you would have a population explosion, it might sound cruel, but I would let them go and let nature take its course, also, the turtle babies probably won't eat for at least a week, it is their nature to hide from anything menacing,even as hatchlings, and to a 1 to 2 inch hatchling (depending on breed), we would be giants.
_________________

Thelonious · Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2007 9:58 am Post subject:

Hey, StrayKingfisher, thanks so much for your response and suggestion. I was kinda' leaning that way but wanted the opinion of a more experienced and knowledgeable person. Yesterday a seventh hatchling appeared. Later today, when the temperature is back into the low 70s, all seven will be released to the shallow water at the lake's edge. I will worry about them some but as someone here already pointed out, the turtles have been doing this for a bazillion years. They know what they are doing. So, Dave, Dee, Dozey, Beaky, Mick, Tich and Bob ( the turtles) and I thank you again for your help. Have a great day.
_________________
The expected is just the beginning.
It's the unexpected that changes our lives.

STRAYKINGFISHER · Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2007 6:41 pm Post subject:

You're welcome Smile

_________________

skslover · Posted: Sat Nov 17, 2007 9:28 pm Post subject:

as long as none of the hatchlings seem interesting like act different from the others you shouldnt keep them or if one is missing a limb or has an extra one it may need help so any1 of them thats "different" keep but let the rest go trust me i know i rescue many different types of trutles and am often present when they hatch to make sure none are deformed or mentally wrong o.O yes there are mentaly disabled turtles just like people
_________________
I miss my turtles spikeI and Buffy.I am glad to have Killer SpikeII and Sarih and Tiger.Luv the barn cats Pirrate Bindi Tigger Comet Poppy Onyx Snowball and Boo. Luv the dogs Baker Nike AlleyMay Bruno Boox2, and Shyshy. Luv the horses but mainly Shadow.