Help, I'm caring for a turtle for 2 weeks

Question

Ok, so the owner left me with her turtle, I don't know how old it is, but it's the size of a person's palm. She left me it's food and a plain glass aquarium.

I'd rather not be held responsible for it's untimely death (I'm kidding!) so here's a few questions:

How deep should the water be in the tank? Should the turtle be able to submerge itself fully in the water?

And can I put a rock in the tank? The tank is absolutely bare, just glass and the turtle.

Thanks guys. If I don't get the help here, I'll probably check out a pet store tomorrow and ask them

Also, can I take the turtle out and let him run around in the grass?

Any other tips too?

Answer 1

the water should be 2 times the length of the turtle

obviously yes the turtle should be under water eith some land to rest on.

rocks woulod be best so it doesnt struggle to breath. and it will rest on them.

yeah grass is possibly but not recomended due to infections, bacteria, and pesticides.

Answer 2

The water should be deep enough for the turtle to swim in (assuming that it's an aquatic turtle). There should also be a place where the turtle can stand and stick its nose out of the water to breathe. Do not take the turtle out of its tank unless you have to clean the tank.

Answer 3

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Sliders, Cooters , painted ,map and yellow bellied are require the same care and feeding..

I have had two Sliders for 36 yrs now plus a 8 yr old and a 5 yr old..

I..

**Here is some important and a lot of info. If he or she is small get feeder guppies or small feeder goldfish, frozen brown worms ..even meal worms. For the lil guys you may have to cut up there food.

Their Home **The tank size for small 2” re-eared slider should be a 20-gallon aquarium minimum. As a general rule, the water depth should be at least 2 times the turtle's length, with several extra inches of air space between the surface of the water to the top edge of the tank to prevent escapes. So if your turtle is 4” around he needs at least 10 to 12” of water to swim. For ONE 4 to 5 inch long sliders, the recommended minimum enclosure surface area is 50 gal plus tank with an extra square foot for each additional turtle.

Fill tank with approx 20 feeder guppies and or 10 to 15 small goldfish. you’ll know when to replenish the live food supply. just count what’s left and then fill it up again. Get a cuttle bone from the bird dept and drop in the water for added calcium. Hopefully they may eat it and that’s what you want. They need the calcium for shell growth and a good healthy turtle.

Clean water is a must or they will get sick fast!

http://flickr.com/photos/29035692@N03/27...

Contact the “herpetologicalsocieties.com, for a turtle vet in your city and state.

when letting go fore  a walk on th egrass...they move real quick and he will love it, maybe make atall enclosure cause they climb!

Answer 4

what kind of turtle is it?  some turtles don't live in water.  do you have a picture?  description?