New Turtle

My son has recently aquired for me a Western Painted turle. I was going to release but the temps are starting to get close to freezing at night so my mother suggeted I keep it. I like it any ways with the bright orange colors and such I will post pics here in a few minutes. Any instructions or advice for care is always appreciated.

google.com


I am sure you will find multiple caresheets to help you on that. Especially, since you do know the species it is.

Some Pics of Rocky.

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/files/2/2/1/0/t004.JPG
https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/files/2/2/1/0/t001.JPG
https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/files/2/2/1/0/t002.JPG

Nice Painted, but Rocky looks more like Rock'ett.

Is my "he" a "she"? If so, how can you tell?

Lars,
Do make sure you check the laws and regulations through fish and game for your states rules regarding keeping that kind of turtle. Most states have a law against keeping something that is native to its state. Also, according to the info I found on them, should you release it, it will do just fine, because they hibernate through the winter months.

Striking colors on that "fellow"!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by lars5277

Is my "he" a "she"? If so, how can you tell?

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The basics of turtle sexing are "short tail short front nails, your a female".

males also have a concave on there bellies that helps them...err mount the female during mating season.

Like jeanne said check your local laws for two things can I keep her and if not can I still release her many states have laws that say once a turtle is in captivity more than 30days it can not be returned to the wild.

Jeanne,
thanks for the advice about keeping it. I called the Fish and Game department, and he said it would be best to let it go. he said there are turtle races all over up here and everyone turns a blind eye to it, however it is illegal to keep these here. I am going to take my son out tonight and have him relase her were he found her.
On a side note I learned a lot I didn't know with just a few hours of researh so all was not wasted. I came out of it with more knowledge.

Hi Lars,
I just wanted to say how nice it was to read your last post. Reading this thread I had to keep breathing deep.
But I was thrilled to hear that you will be letting your little painted go. It will also teach your son a great lesson in respect the environment and the wild animals that live right in your own backyard!
Rusty

Rusty,
He was truly heartbroke. He loves any animal he can find. It was partially my fault for waiting so long to find out about keeping it. He came home with a garter snake 2 days later and I sent him packing. I just hope he doesn't get like me and start bringing home pit vipers. The only ones we have here are rattlers so he should stay away from them, I have taught him about those.

He sounds like a great kid and releasing that turtle was the best thing to do so congrats on teaching your son the best lesson in life is putting the animal first always.

Seems lots of great people started out as the kid who came home with the frog in his pocket LOL so sounds like it's a great sign of things to come?

Maybe once he's old enough an appropriate reptile would be a fine thing. Our middle two children who are (almost) 12 and 14 are just saving up for their first "personal" snakes right now. Beth is getting an female Albino Nelson's Milksnake and Luke is getting a male het for Albino Nelson's Milksnake (they have such breeding plans LOL).


~~Joanna~~