I need aquatic turtle experts

Thanks again everyone. She is still doing just the same, but living happily. She has a full array of food products and has been more active. I think it is still a time will tell. I hope she does well, I would be thrilled if she perked up sooner then later so she has a better chance at release dates.
Thanks again everyone
Rusty
PS I'll try and post some more pictures of her, and maybe even fit in a pic of her now "pet" guppies..lol

I think it's perfectly normal for a hatchling that small. I've heard of small hatchlings having trouble diving plenty of times. Give it some time and it'll eventually learn how to dive, I mean it's still really young so you can think of it as a baby taking it's first steps.

One of my hobbies is catching turtles, it's a family activity to catch turtles at my grandparents' lake house in michigan, take pictures etc and release them.

From doing this for years and years, I have noticed some very young turtles in the wild that just seemed very buoyant.. either couldn't or wouldn't dive, or would dive under and pop back up as soon as they stopped swimming.

I hadn't ever thought about it before now, but perhaps young turtles just are less dense than older turtles? Some so much that they just always float?

Anyhoo I think you're doing the right thing letting her just continue to live, I'm going to predict that in 6-12 months she'll be swimming just fine :D Good luck, that turtle's lucky to have someone who cares.

Hi all,
I know this is a late response....
But over the last few weeks she has been eating duck weed....(plus reptomin & other veggies)
But just a few days ago she was three inches under the surface....
You guys would've loved it, all the block neighbors love lil foot, so everyone crowded around to watch her swim (poor thing is gonna have a complex..lol)
We are excited.. Possible release this year (that would be great). She needs a three course vet check and sadly it may be too late in the season....but hopefully we can release her this season.. Fingers crossed:)
Thanks all
I will try to post pics if my camera decides to work (lol)
Sincerely
Rusty
PS and thank you all for your words of wisdom, they are always completely appreciated