Hello Everyone,
So as of Wednesday I have taken custody of two beautiful Red Ear Slider's from a Co-workers daughter. They were purchased together in 2011 and I am pretty confident they have not been properly cared of most of their lives. I have had some real work to do in a few short days....
They are around 7 years old and they are only about 4 & 5 inches long, from what I have read that seems a bit on the small side for their age so I am thinking their diet was never that consistent.
I am most concerned about their diet, I know how often they SHOULD be fed for their age, but since they were neglected I am trying to figure out the best way to get them stronger. Any suggestions would be VERY welcome.
It seems they have been kept in only a few inches of water most of their lives so they are not really used to deeper water so for now they are only in about 8 inches of water (I know it sounds cruel) but these 2 are happily zooming all over the place now but they REALLY need something to prop themselves up on to stick their noses up out of the water. as they seem more confident in the water I am gradually going to increase the water level and just monitor them well.
I was only given the turtles in a small container, some zoo-med turtle food ,a 30 gallon tank and a small float dock. Since then I have gotten them some sand, some pieces of slate to prop up on, a water filter, UVB Bulb /heat lamp, and my daughter insisted on a pretty tank background and I have a new turtle basking dock on order from Amazon. Overall i think they are MUCH happier than they have been in the past. Any additional tank accessories recommendations would be very welcome as well.
My family and I are really enjoying them so far, and I think they are liking us too....? Any time one of us walks over to their tank they swim like hell over to us and just go nuts.
I have been am working next to their tank and they have been hanging out in the corner closest to me and just watching me.
I have been scouring Youtube and Google on Turtle care but again if anyone can offer me some essential advice or advice on treating neglected turtles I would greatly appreciate it.
Thanks All! look forward to talking with you!