*turtle headache/I need to rant*

[Anya]

So, I responded to an add on craigslist for 2 Mississippi mud turtles, free with setup, that were former classroom pets and the teacher wasn't up to it anymore. I research them, decide I want them, and go and pick them up.

They weren't Muds.

I am faced with 2 adult female RES's.

I did NOT bargain for this. I'm still pleased with them, they're very neat, and I've never kept water turtles before, so it's a fun new experience...except, these two giants came in a 20L tank TWENTY GALLONS! They've lived in it their entire lives, but as soon as I got it all setup, I realized just how incredibly small it is, and how stressed they are.

ahhh, but I have an idea! Marcelene, one of my bp's, had a 40gal breeder tank! Sooo I decided to ignore the 'do not fill with water' warning on the 40 gal. tank, and went ahead and filled it with water. it's not ideal in the least, but it's MUCH better than this.soo, I swap them, set everything up, add turtles...and they're SO much happier already.

I decided I'd better do some research, and subsequently found dozens of horror stories of busted tanks with the same warning...Soo I get a plastic tub, and try to siphon water out. It's not coming. I suck on the end of the hose really hard and immediately am choked by NASTY TURTLE WATER! ewwww. (Well, it was just put in today, but still!!!) after wrestling with the hose, and spraying water all over my kitchen, it finally cooperated. I got half the water siphoned out, so it should be safe now (only 4 1/2 inches) but this is turning into such a headache. Dx Why couldn't they have been the turtles I thought they were?? lol...I'm not complaining, I'm not complaining...

I know 40 gal is FAR too small for 2 females, and 4 1/2 inches is far too shallow, but I breathe a little easier knowing that at least they're in a better position than they were. I live in a trailer with weak floors, so I can't get a big tank yet, but I'm moving into our new house late this summer, and I'm going to look for 90-125 gallons of tank.

Moral of the story? I'm not sure. I'm so happy to have them...but I never bargained for this.

[dragonboy4578]

LOL.... That is all I can say.....

[DellaF]

Craigslist! Lol! I'm not laughing at you I'm laughing with you.

[Anya]

lol, note to self- get pictures of said turtles beforehand, and see if you're up to the task. I mean, now that I've taken them on, I wouldn't dump them on someone else. But...had I known they were RES's...I probably never would have replied to the ad. Sigh. And the lady wasn't a bad person...not even neglectful. They had everything a smaller turtle could ever need...the key word here being SMALLER, lol. She raised them from tiny babies, and she just never upgraded the tank size, and since they were classroom pets, they had to be semi-portable, and a 90 gallon tank just doesn't lend it's self to that.

Sigh, lol. I feel...very dumb, haha.

[Kinra]

I'm sorry they weren't what you bargained for BUT you didn't have to take them home.

I'm sure they'll be much happier with more room when they get it.

Congrats (I think) on your new babies.

[Anya]

lolol, I honestly had not done any research on RES's, since I didn't think I'd be getting them...(didn't even really know what an adult looked like..) I was handed these turtles that I couldn't identify, that I'd driven 45 minutes to get, and I'd been trying to get a hold of the woman for a week...ahaha I guess I just didn't feel I could say 'no', lol. Thing is, It wasn't until I got home and did the research that I realized how much responsibility this was. But you're totally right, lol.

Thanks. ^.^

[Anya]

I'm really thinking something over, guys. After doing some research, I've realized RES's are native to my area. I've also read that they adapt back to the wild immediately. I'm looking at these guys, they're healthy, but they look kind of miserable, constantly pawing against the glass. I can't provide proper space for months.

I get that releasing non-native species are no-no's. But these guys are native (I was even told one of them was caught wild as a baby...) I live right next to Perry Lake, which is home to this species and more, and fish and basking spots, and a generally turtle paradise.

Would it be right?

[Foschi Exotic Serpents]

Sliders and painteds require huge tanks with ample filtration, heated water, basking area with UV light, and a varied diet to avoid shell problems, RI, pneumonia (biggest killer of them) etc etc.. I've owned them before and it was a big hassle..

As for releasing them, in my opinion, I don't see why people would have a problem with it since they are native. Some people do but it doesn't make sense. If they are healthy, have clear eyes, no signs of infection, etc, then there is nothing they could give to the wild turtles.

Considering they actually lived this long in a terrible environment then I suspect they are both wild caught and have great immune systems. A captive hatched turtle likely would not have lived so long without the proper set up. Especially the heat and UV.

[Anya]

Thanks so much, foshi. I'm going to release them tonight or tomorrow. . I just didn't want to do anything rash without a little feedback.

[Anya]

Oh, just wanted to mention, they did have proper UV lighting and heating and filtration. Like I said, they had a nice setup- for two little hatchings. I don't believe the woman was neglectful in any way besides space. Which, obviously, that WAS an issue.