General Care Discussion :: Baby painted turtle

[SneakySushie]

Hello, I was wondering. I have a baby painted turtle which I had before my red eared slider... but like I've only had it for about three weeks...

It's the size of a quarter... Friend gave it to me from a batch of turtles he was raising... but now on to a more important question.... I just got her to eat (FINALLY FOR TURTLES SAKE!)a pellet, and I let him/her bask outside for hours as required since I don't have an UVB light yet for him (again all of these animals were unloaded to me and now I am in the progress of building a 55g, fixing it up nicely, set my red eared slider in that tank, and leave the painted in a 29g)

I am wondering, how much light will he/she need to bask for?I feel as babies it's more crucial than it is for adults (NOT SAYING ITS NOT CRUCIAL FOR ADULTS LOL! BUT JUST SAYING I <feel> it's probably more URGENT for a baby. Like an adult could go a day without basking while a baby probably shouldn't.) that being said I see it trying to bask a lot so I take it's kritter keeper out (it's only temporairly container since I tried keeping it with the RES and the RES tried making a snack out of it because of how small it is).


How long will it take it to grow to a decent size?

What should the temp be for a baby in the water? Currently I have no heater on but m y house is pretty warm right now..) I change its water daily.

Also for a baby what is the best food to feed so it grows up big and strong???

[Jeremiah]

What kind of painted turtle do you have? There are several species, and not all of their needs are identical.

Indoor turtles of any age need a photoperiod of 12-13 hours. Whether or not you are using UV lighting, they need the light to maintain their biological clocks. If you take the turtle outside for sun-time, an hour or so should be sufficient, as I've heard top-of-the-line reptile bulbs provide as much UVB as outdoor shade. That being said, when outside, your turtle needs access to some clean water as well as shade.

As far as growth time, it's my understanding that turtles like RES and painteds do the most "binge growing" during the first year or so of life. This also depends on the quality of its diet, which at this life stage should include a healthy rotation of pellets (popular brands include Mazuri, Omega One, Hikari, et cetera). You can try vegetables like red leaf lettuce or red bell pepper, or even aquatic plants, but chances are the turtle won't be interested. That's fine, though, as long as it starts eating plant matter by the time it's a juvenile (I would personally start trying around 3.5"-4" SCL).

Water temperatures for hatchlings are usually optimal around 78F-80F, with basking areas around 87F-90F. Accuracy is really important, here--don't approximate temperature by touching the water! It's safer to just buy a standard floating glass aquarium thermometer. You can use a infrared Temp Gun to measure basking temperatures. I would also encourage you to get a filter, rather than doing daily (I'm assuming 100%?) water changes.

[SneakySushie]

What kind of painted turtle do you have? There are several species, and not all of their needs are identical.

Indoor turtles of any age need a photoperiod of 12-13 hours. Whether or not you are using UV lighting, they need the light to maintain their biological clocks. If you take the turtle outside for sun-time, an hour or so should be sufficient, as I've heard top-of-the-line reptile bulbs provide as much UVB as outdoor shade. That being said, when outside, your turtle needs access to some clean water as well as shade.

As far as growth time, it's my understanding that turtles like RES and painteds do the most "binge growing" during the first year or so of life. This also depends on the quality of its diet, which at this life stage should include a healthy rotation of pellets (popular brands include Mazuri, Omega One, Hikari, et cetera). You can try vegetables like red leaf lettuce or red bell pepper, or even aquatic plants, but chances are the turtle won't be interested. That's fine, though, as long as it starts eating plant matter by the time it's a juvenile (I would personally start trying around 3.5"-4" SCL).

Water temperatures for hatchlings are usually optimal around 78F-80F, with basking areas around 87F-90F. Accuracy is really important, here--don't approximate temperature by touching the water! It's safer to just buy a standard floating glass aquarium thermometer. You can use a infrared Temp Gun to measure basking temperatures. I would also encourage you to get a filter, rather than doing daily (I'm assuming 100%?) water changes.

Yeah I am doing 100% changes, It's only till I move the slider to a 55 gallon where she'll be for quite a while... Also it's an eastern painted.

[Jeremiah]

Sounds like you have a solid plan. The information I posted will apply to EPT's. Good luck!

[SneakySushie]

Sounds like you have a solid plan. The information I posted will apply to EPT's. Good luck!

Thanks. I hope they make it. <3