Your Turtle or Tortoise Question Answered Here There are two ways to get your turtle or tortoise question answered here. There are almost 3000 questions already asked. Alligator Image Courtesy jenniferkbowman.com What Do American Alligators Eat (What Do Alligators Eat) The American alligator is by far the most apex predator within. Don't forget food for your new tortoise. Hermanns Tortoises: Testudo hermanni. Red- eared Slider, Trachemys scripta elegans, Family: Emydidae The Red Eared Slider has been a favorite household pet for many years! They are quiet, and when tame are calm and generally slow- moving. Consequently they don't instill the cautious concerns that some folks have when dealing with other types of reptiles. They can be quite hardy when provided with the right environment, have fairly modest requirements, and live a long time. In addition there are several beautiful color morphs of the Red- eared Slider available; including albino, pastel, and leucistic. Distribution: Red- eared Sliders are found in the United States from Virginia to Florida and west to Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and New Mexico. They have also been introduced into habitats throughout the world. Fourteen other Trachemys species and subspecies are found throughout Central and South America. Status The Common Sliders Trachemys scripta are listed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: LR - lower risk. Description: Over their incredibly large range in nature, Red- eared Sliders are quite variable in patterning and color. They can be grayish green, bright lime green with wonderful yellow spots and squiggles, or dark green with dark markings. They all have the typical red . This coloration can have a variety of shapes and a range of color, but all true Red- ears have this characteristic. Males of all populations of Red- ears become darker as they age. Some become an entirely black turtle with the pattern and even the red . Males are usually smaller than females and with larger front claws and longer tails. This species generally ranges between 8 to 1. Care and Feeding: Red Eared Sliders exhibit a feeding pattern typical of many freshwater turtle species. As young, they are carnivores, eagerly consuming insects, insect larvae, and a variety of other invertebrates. As they grow, they begin feeding on a variety of plant matter in addition to the live prey. As they reach adulthood, most sliders will continue to feed on animal matter in the form of fish, worms, and insects. In captivity, most sliders will eagerly eat commercial turtle food and will eat large amounts of the aquatic plants found in their enclosures. Respect their need for a varied diet as young sliders are prone to shell defects and abnormal growth due to insufficient diets. Environment: Indoors: A basic setup in a large tub (4. Add an efficient filtration system, a shop light fixture with UVB- emitting bulbs, and at least one basking spot with a 1. Add a variety of floating and submerged aquatic plants to the slider enclosure. In addition to helping keep the water clean and healthy, plants will add some variety to the sliders' diet. Read on to learn more about the care of this interesting water turtle. Name: African Side-Neck turtle, Pelomedusa subrufa, African Side-necked turtle, African. Feed your pets the very best with our full line of live and frozen feeders. Crickets, worms, roaches, fruit flies and frozen rodents, all available in a variety of. Turtle Supplies for Sale Buy turtle supplies for your new pet reptile. Outdoors: The Red Eared Slider does very well in outdoor ponds. It can thrive outside in warmer climates and is active year- round. It will hibernate in more severe environments and can tolerate cold winter conditions, often hibernating under the ice. They love to bask, so at least one large basking spot per enclosure should be available. Outdoors, ponds and pools must be secure as Red- eared Sliders will usually leave unfenced areas quickly – The . The introduction of non- native species can lead to the introduction of diseases and can lead to hybridization of introduced and native species. In addition, many turtles raised in captivity and released into wild situations are confused, unable to cope with extreme weather changes, and many surely fall prey quite quickly to the wary predators they may encounter. Handling: Red Eared Sliders become very tame in captivity and will tolerate some handling. They will readily swim up to the keeper and take food out of his or her hand. They become quite curious and will watch anyone in the room with them in hopes of getting a free handout. Older sliders and those kept in ponds tend to be more nervous and will scratch and flail when removed for handling or cleaning. Breeding: Adult males of many species of sliders are characterized by the growth of long claws on their front feet. In addition many male sliders grow darker as they age. This appearance of long claws and the trend toward melanism can aid the slider keeper in identifying his males and females at a glance. Captive breeding is simple and straightforward in most sliders. The male engages in an elaborate courtship ritual that involves swimming above the female, scratching her carapace with his elongated nails, head twitching, and more. If their environment is healthy and females are given access to a proper laying area, sliders are quite prolific producers. Adults breed throughout the spring and a female can lay up to three clutches of 6- 1. This species exhibits temperature dependent sex determination; eggs incubated at less than 8. Care must be taken to remove the eggs for incubation or to protect the nest with a wire cage if it is to be incubated on- site. Hatchlings thrive in the proper environment with good water quality, UVB and heat, and a varied diet. Babies relish invertebrates such as blackworms, small redworms, and even crickets as well as commercial pelleted food. They grow quickly and can reach breeding size in 3- 4 years. Ailments / Health Problems: Not many, but shell and skin infections arise from poor nutrition and ear abscesses are occasionally seen in sliders kept in poor quality water with abnormally high levels of bacteria. These injuries can be treated by removing the turtle from the water. The infected area should be dried and an application of Betadine followed by a layer of silvadene cream should be applied. The turtle should be kept warm on a towel in a tub for several hours before it is returned to the water. This should be repeated every day for a week while the area heals. If the turtle's water is not clean and aerated the problem will recur quickly. If the turtle is being bullied or too many turtles are kept in a small enclosure, this and other problems will occur until the situation is corrected. Availability: Red- eared Sliders are commonly available throughout the U. S. They are usually inexpensive to purchase but one must realize that the expenses of setting up a proper environment are considerable. It's about 5- 6 years old and has lived in about 3 inches of water in a 1. I immediately did research and figured out that he needed a lot of stuff. I bought the uva and uvb lights above his basking rock right away and he now has about 5 1/2 inches of water. I'm not sure if I should fill the tank most of the way. I have read a lot of information online but not sure how deep the water should be r if there is something else I should be doing. Also how big of a tank should I have? He is about 5 inches long and about 3 wide. Gave him some minnows and he had so much fun catching them. Please help! kye turnbull - 2. Queensland! But it likes to sleep so i can't feed it so i got a rock and he's better so now he eat's. Feeding Your Indian Ringneck or Asiatic Parrot. Ringnecks and Asiatic parrots are not picky eaters. Most ringnecks and Asiatic parrots will eagerly devour fruits and vegetables if they are given the chance. Only a few selected birds might refuse to eat alternative foods other than seeds. In my experience, if I ever did come across an Indian Ringneck who chose not to eat pellets, fruits, or vegetables–they were easily converted to a healthy diet in weeks. Asiatic parrots in particular seem to be birds that really enjoy trying different foods. My Indian Ringnecks have such an appetite that anything that is placed into their cage is quickly eaten up. The Diet Of A Wild Ringneck. Wild ringnecks eat many things in their natural surroundings. These parrots enjoy fruits, blossoms, and seeds. Because of their need to eat fresh fruits many farmers around the world regard ringnecks as a serious pest. For example, it’s not uncommon for south east Asian farmers to complain about these birds. More recently many farmers located in Bakersfield, California are starting to complain about crop damage due to feral ringnecks. There, they are said to feed off orchards and damage the fruits before they can be picked. A majority of these feral ringnecks are also supported and fed by enthusiasts by backyard birdfeeders. In the wild these birds seek fresh samplings that can easily be devoured. If none are present, many will resort to dandelion leaves on the ground. Some ringnecks dine on an occasional insects for protein. These birds eat a variety of foods and noting is off limits if it’s edible. The Diet Of A Captive Ringneck. Feeding your ringneck does not need to be complicated. In fact, feeding them is quite enjoyable. These birds need a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, seeds, and pellets to enjoy a long life. Many ringneck owners will only provide seeds while others only provide pellets. I believe doing so limits the optimal nutritional value. Ringneck were designed to eat a variety of foods and providing only one type of food is boring, unnatural, and could cause major health problems down the road. Many owners swear by one product while others dismiss products. Finding a food can get complicated and it can be overwhelming if you don’t know what to feed your ringneck. I like to keep things simple and feed a variety of everything. When I first started breeding my Indian Ringnecks I was told never to use pellets that were artificially dyed. I can’t disagree with this statement more. I have been using a particular brand for a while and I have never run into problems with my bird’s health. I find this information to be misleading and no scientific evidence has been published to prove these accusations. My ringnecks are healthy and active and I attribute this to their diet. So finding a what works for you and your birds is the best answer here. Seeds. Seeds should be included in a healthy Asiatic parrot diet. Seeds should not be removed because these birds naturally eat seeds in the wild. Breeders insisted that seeds were bad for their birds because many of the parrots that only ate seeds developed problems. Seeds alone are fatty and can cause serious complications and shorten the lifespan of your Asiatic parrot drastically. If however, they are given in moderation then they are perfectly safe and healthy. Mixing Seeds & Pellets Together. I would not advise mixing pellets and seeds together. Indian Ringnecks are smart and will easily avoid eating the pellets if possible. It is much better to rotate between the two. I keep the seeds in for four days and the pellets in for three days. This gives my ringnecks the opportunity to really eat and benefit from each food. Giving only pellets can cause a nutrient overdose; giving pellets in moderation will avoid this. The key is moderation and substitution here. Please note, if your ringneck does not eat pellets, then you have to slowly introduce them into the diet before they are switched with seeds. The ringneck will starve itself if it has not learned to eat pellets. Fruits & Vegetables. Fruits need to be added to your Indian Ringneck’s diet as well. Apples are probably one of their favorite fruits. Watching them eat their apples is fascinating and it is obvious they enjoy the taste of it. They eagerly drink the juice and chew the flesh into a pulp. It is amazing how quickly a slice will disappear. Grapes also seem to be a favorite and are enjoyed. Be sure to include all kinds of fruits such as oranges, kiwis, pears, mangos, and melons. Spoiled or old fruit should never be given to your parrot. Fruits provide antioxidants and are very healthy. Though fruit is probably their first choice of fresh foods, vegetables need to be included into their diet as well. I give my Indian Ringneck raw baby carrots. Archimedes, my pet Indian Ringneck, will munch on a baby carrot for hours. He holds the carrot in his hand and takes small bites. Leafy greens need to be included too. I just place the leaves whole into the cages. Most Indian Ringnecks will not hold them but will gently tear off chunks. Warm squashes such as pumpkin, zucchini, or banana squashes are enjoyed if they are cubed and boiled. Be creative and always offer vegetables to their diet. Protein. You also need to feed your parrot items rich in protein. Too much protein is not good; however, a few chunks of cooked meat is ideal. I find that shredded turkey or chicken will do the trick. Once a week I offer some kind of protein item. Just be sure to remove it an hour after being placed into the cage. This will ensure it does not spoil. Remember, feeding your Indian Ringneck does not have to be difficult. These parrots will eat anything you cook just be sure to avoid oils, salts, and preservatives. If you cook, prepare vegetables and fruits while you make your meals. It saves time and can be stored and given throughout the week. If you properly feed your Indian Ringneck you can expect him to live into his 2.
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