Hi! Introduce yourselves here. :: Howdy from Texas

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Post Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2016 11:36 am   Howdy from Texas

Howdy,

I'm a high school chemistry teacher with a red eared slider named Shelldon.

Last year a student asked me to adopt her family's turtle since it was purchased for her little sister but it wasn't being cared for. I thought it was incredibly responsible of her to ask and I said yes. He was a tiny little guy and I started him in a 20 gallon tank for about a month. Then I moved Shelldon to a 55 gallon tank. I like to think that he is a pretty happy turtle and he has fascinated so many students in my school.

I wanted to join these forums because I want a community where I can find information to best care for Shelldon. So thank you all for providing this community and I look forward to being part of it.
Akira5284
 
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Post Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2016 12:48 pm   Re: Howdy from Texas

:mrgreen: Welcome to the group!! :msgreen:
And if you have any pics of him we would love to see them.
Midland Painted--Philbert--SIP :(
1-2 1/4" Mississippi Map Turtle(Male)--Atlas
1-2 1/2" Western Painted Turtle (male)--Titan
40 gallon tank
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unclejoe
 
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Post Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2016 12:51 pm   Re: Howdy from Texas

Welcome to the forum! So Shelldon is in the classroom?
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steve
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Post Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2016 1:25 pm   Re: Howdy from Texas

Shelldon is a classroom turtle. My school is in an area of the city where many students don't get to have many pets and if they do have pets, they tend to not understand the needs of pets or how much it takes to be a responsible pet owner. So he is also a great teacher.

He is in a 55 gallon tank right now and is just hitting 6 inches so his home is being updated soon. But, one of the most common questions I get is "Why does he have such a big tank for just him?" So I get to teach students about the needs of animals and tell them that he needs 10 gallons of water for every inch he grows. Some of my students have taken this to heart and have been asking when he is going to get a new home. Luckily, I just found him a 150 gallon shallow tank ( 48 x 36 x 20) that I will be an amazing upgrade for him.

I'll try to get some new pictures of him when I can, but as of now, all I have are tiny Shelldon when I first got him.
Akira5284
 
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Post Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2016 1:45 pm   Re: Howdy from Texas

Sounds like a great thing.. Back when I was in gr 2 we had a class hamster,,, and students could sign a list to be able to take her home for the weekend. Back then you didn't have to worry about suing and issues.. So she got to go home and be a pet for a weekend.. She never got hurt and always came back none the worse for wear.. We also raised chicks from eggs one year.. Animals in the classroom is great for kids on so many levels.. I wish more schools did it..
Midland Painted--Philbert--SIP :(
1-2 1/4" Mississippi Map Turtle(Male)--Atlas
1-2 1/2" Western Painted Turtle (male)--Titan
40 gallon tank
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unclejoe
 
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Location: sw VA
Gender: Female

Post Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2016 10:12 pm   Re: Howdy from Texas

I agree, this sounds great. Shelldon is very spoiled :)

I remember taking home the class hamster too, man that was a long time ago.
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steve
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Post Posted: Sun Jan 17, 2016 7:27 am   Re: Howdy from Texas

Welcome! It's nice your educating your students about an unusual pet.
1 Male Mississippi Map/Mississippi
1 Female RES/Slidy.
1 DBT White Concentric Female/ Lucky
1 DBT Male/ Spots
(Housed in the same tank)

300 gallon indoor stock tank, FX6 & FX5 filters. Mega-Ray 100w UVB bulb.
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Kansasslider
 
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