- Hello.
My name is Bailey - but if you can come up with any nicknames, go ahead and use those if you please.
As one might of guessed, I am new to this website and decided that I might as well drop by and say hi. I have two turtles;
a nine year old female RES, named Shakespeare, who I've had all of her life, (and ultimately thought she was a male until
surprise, surprise, eggs.) and around a year old undetermined YBS who's been called Flapjack. Flapjack came to me last fall
when my little sister, who's three, won him at their local fair. He/she and the rest of the prize turtles were kept in a tiny ten
gallon tank without UVB, heating, or room (there were 20+ turtles in two ten gallon tanks) for god knows how long. Anyway,
my little sister lost interest basically after a week, and so I took the turtle as I had a spare 55 gallon he/she could live in until
he/she got bigger. When Flapjack came to me, his/her's shell was already beginning to deform, the ends of his shell curving
up like a bowl, and his belly losing defined texture. He's stunted in his growth, and since I don't really know how long he'd been
in the fair I've no idea how bad this growth stunt is, but he has grown considerably over the months I've had him and I'm hoping
with adequate care that he will go on to live an enjoyable life.
- This is Shakespeare!
As you might can see from the picture, she is slightly overweight. We've been working on that, though,
and have since gone on a strict diet, which she detests, but it's better for the long run. a few years
ago we had some problems in the husbandry department in which her previous tank had busted and
she was kept in a temporary setup until something better could be acquired. She did end up developing
persistent bacterial infections while in the holding pen, but they've since cleared up wonderfully after
another tank had been acquired and we haven't had problems with it since.
- And this is little Flapjack.
You can't see his shell deformation very well from this picture, and it used to be much worse than that in
front. The ends of his shell are now most noticeably curved in the rear, and that too has improved with
growth. Most of his underside lacks clearly defined scutes, it's as if one has taken the smudge brush on
photoshop and went to town on his belly. Flapjack eats protein (fish, shrimps, various insects and other
various pond life - tadpoles, frogs, snails, etc) twice a week and pellets five days a week, with the
occasional bite of big "sister's" veggies when taken. Lighting, UVB, underwater heaters and nice basking,
voracious appetite - basically he's just very spoiled now and enjoying his swimming space.
- anyway, I look forward to joining the community and seeing all of you around!
~ Bailey.