Wasted Turtles
By Paym Bergson
Our turtles have adjusted nicely to their new home......and we are finally adjusting to them. Seems we had a major contamination problem. No matter how often and carefully we’d measure out the chemicals to give the turtles a safe water home, within a week we’d have to change their environment.
This involves a major process of putting the turtles into the bathtub (with some chemicals to control the chlorine); draining their pond; cleaning out their filters; cleaning all rocks, etc. It got to the point that we purchased a pump to drain this pond! We were also concerned about using chemicals even though used within the guidelines.
Well, according to our local pet store, the filter and pump should keep our pond crystal clear – and we compared it to theirs – five grown red-eared sliders, MUCH larger pond, and the same filter – and theirs was crystal clear. So, what gives, what’s the secret, how often do you clean, did we just see it after a clean-up? Nope, the secret is soooooooo simple it evaded us.
Simply, and basically put, what goes in, goes out. We were overfeeding. No matter that one is almost adult and the other three are teenagers – the problem is the waste – yes, they did eat all that food, and no, they were not fat in any shape or form, (with all that swimming and attempting to still change their environment – remember, these are the same construction turtles as before – how could they gain weight – sigh – I long for their metabolism) – BUT they also voided that food, which was causing the problem.
Well, to be perfectly blunt, we were feeding them about 4 times what they can survive on – no wonder we had such a problem!
To get them back to what is considered a normal diet for them, we cut back on their food everyday, and watched to ensure all flippers and tails were still intact, until we were at a happy compromise for clean water, amount of food, and happy turtles. We also found two of them liked to be hand-fed, and did not want to eat until at least one piece was hand-fed to them! (Remember, Justin used to hand-fed them and pet them in his room). Scared at first – they do have very sharp teeth – I offered a pellet – and to my delight it was taken gently, but quickly. WARNING – do NOT do this without someone around, as you can lose a finger!
Now all four will clamour for food, even though they have been fed – but want they really want is the company. They remind me of a circus – entertaining us for the sheer enjoyment of seeing us smile! Often they are happy with a scratch on the shell and a pat on the head. This morning one of the younger ones actually climbed onto Craig’s outstretched hand and nuzzled him!
So I have a happy hubby who is not upset at the “wasted money” on a special pump/filter, I have four happy turtles who get more attention now, and a clean pond without extra chemicals! Moral of the story is to really watch the amount of food – yes, our turtles are younger and so need more than the pet store gives their adults, but certainly nowhere near the amount we were giving them before our enlightenment. We have found they sometimes want more, which is ok, and they do get it – and now mating attempts are happening, so we’ll see what happens with this new behaviour.
About the Author:
As a professional writer and trainer, I find the hardest thing to write about is myself. Suite 101 has given me many opportunites and I have read with interest the various articles penned by Contributing Editors. Now it's payback time. Reading their personal submissions and sharing of information has given me the courage to be a Contributing Editor as well.
After 5 years of raising Bearded Dragons we (family) finally had a successful clutch (two in fact). The lack of proper information given us by retail reptile stores as well as the lack of substantial information on the Internet (with a few excellent exceptions) has prompted me to try and help others in all areas of reptiles. Our menagerie at the moment consists of 5 adult dragons, 4 juveniles, one bird, one hamster, 2 turtles, one fish - and a whole bunch of critters that make their home and nests in our woodpile, trees, and house (I just saw the baby bunnies having a chew on our garden).
Paym may be contacted by email at careeradvice@suite101.com.
Copyright Paym Bergson June 2004 All rights reserved.
Article courtesy of Suite101.com.
