Idk yet - 2016-08-29 I have had my turtle for over a year. And recently he has been shedding. I was wondering if he was just growing or is something wrong. I saw that he has a whole in his shell. And i don't know what is wrong with him.
Daryan - 2012-08-02 My friend found a large painted turtle in the middle of a corn field yesterday and gave it to me, I named him GT for Giant Turtle. I have had many turtles before, but this one is much larger, from nose to tail he/she is about 8-9 inches long. I don't know his/her age or sex. Could somebody please help me figure out? Thanks! :)
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Eddie - 2015-11-02 It's a female. A male painted turtle does not grow that large.
Kevin - 2014-09-02 My daughter cought a painted baby turtle abiut two months ago. He's been doing fine in his 55 gallon tank. But my questions are, we took out his wood log that was his dry area, cause it was smelling up the house and tank. And we changed the water and added a suctioncup turtle dock to his set-up, but I have not seen him get out of the water fully and sit or even walk across it yet. And it's been about 10 hours now. Will he get sick or drown from not getting out every now and then? Also we noticed some ragged looking shreds hanging off him. And was wondering if it's him shedding from growing or is this a bad sign? Any info asap on his conditions would be greatly appreciated.
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Clarice Brough - 2014-09-04 I would be concerned about the 'ragged looking shreds' because as these turtles grow, they loose individual scutes. He does need to get out of the water to bask, and needs a calcium supplement and full spectrum lighting (UVB) in the basking area in order get Vitamin D to absorb the calcium.
Kim - 2014-06-03 Hi, I live in Oswego county, NY... my 9 yo son and I just found a painted turtle in our back yard! I believe it is a female because she had dug up a spot in the yard! She sat at the spot for like 30 minutes then pushed the dirt back in and walked away! Just wondering if she did lay eggs how long will it be before we see babies.... We would like to watch for them! I am going to mark the spot so they won't mow there! Any help would be great!
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jim - 2014-06-19 Should be about ten weeks. For the babies to arrive. If she did lay eggs, are you close to water? They usually lay their eggs near a body of water. Have a best time watching them when they hatch, it's a good experience. I own one eastern painted turtle. His name is Gamera after the Monterrey movie turtle. We found him as a baby. Smaller than a quarter he was. Very excited my son was. Have fun but if you handle them remember to wash your hands. The babies can carry some germs not good for us. They are ok to handle just wash afterwards.. have a camera ready to capture the moment, and have fun.
Barbara Rector - 2012-06-18 Are there any serious health issues with painted turtles? I've heard there shells can fall off if they don't get enough sun, and to give them a calicum supplement. Is there any other concern that I need to worry about?
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Anonymous - 2013-09-10 yes salmonella is a common turtle disease people catch easily if they dont wash there hands.
Clarice Brough - 2013-09-10 Actually the person responding as 'Anonymous' is not quite correct. Salmonella is not a turtle disease, it is a bacteria with over 200 strains. We come in contact with it all the time. Raw chicken that you fix for dinner, along with turtles as well as other reptiles are known to be carriiers of some strains. The best protection for your health and that of children is to be sanitary, and wash your hands regularly and teach your children to do so, especially after handling a reptile or any other animal for that matter.
JUSTINMILL - 2012-05-13 I have a midland painted turtle i got from a freind who found it in the lake hear in ohio. i have it in a fish tank do i need a heat lamp or doe's it have any diseases i have kids and dont want them to get sick what should i doo?
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Jeremy Roche - 2012-05-14 It depends how big it is. Always should wash hands before and after handling turtles. You should have a basking light in the tank.
Anonymous - 2013-09-10 yes painted turtles do carry diseases, the smaller the turtle the bigger the risk. the diseases they carry is called salmonella and it could be deadly but only if you dont wash your hands. yes they do need a heat lamp the best one to get is the deep dome lamp fixture they sell them at petco. and they need a special UVB light bulb also sold at petco
Clarice Brough - 2013-09-10 Salmonella is a bacteria and it isn't restricted to turtles, although they are ones getting all the credit for being carriers. Actually, there are over 200 strains of salmonella bacteria. One of the common places we all come in contact with it is when we are preparing raw chicken for dinner.
So yes... washing your hands is the best protection against contracting illness from these bacteria... in all your endeavors. Children are especially at risk, so teach them to wash their hands regularly.. when handling reptiles especially, because we know there is a salmonella bacteria exposure there.
Danielle - 2011-08-24 I have a western painted box turtle. I found him in a corey in vermont, I've had him for over a year now and all has been going well. Just reacently within the past coupple days he hasn't been using his back legs like he normally does, it's as if they are week or they hurt him. He isnt supporting himself with them in the water and they almost look swollen. Any one have any suggestions as to why this is happening??
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Jeremy Roche - 2012-03-19 You realize a painted turtle is different from a box turtle right?
Jeremy Roche - 2012-03-19 Needs vet treatment. Usually means digestive tract blockage. If rear area swollen could be a kidney issue.
Rocwel - 2012-03-18 Check how old it is probably take it to the vet
Anonymous - 2013-09-10 Take him to the vet asap (as soon as possible )
CJ - 2009-11-06 Hello, I am from Orange county, New York. While out on a days outing, driveing down a back road, we came across a road that divided a bog. We were so distraught at the amount of painters that had been run over by cars. We did find one that was trying to cross the road. Thinking it would get hit we brought it home with us and name her lucky. Which we believe she was! as no way would she have made it to the other sde, or back again for that matter. There had to be at least 2 dozen turtles there that didn't make it! Lucky now has a place in our home with all the comfort's of a turtles paradise, she deserve's it after such an ordeal! WHAT AN AWESOME TURTLE SHE IS! We are planning on putting a sign up "!WARNING TURTLE CROSSING!PASS WITH CARE!!" CJ.
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martha e. - 2010-05-18 I was move to tears for the others turtles that didn't make it, but "lucky" was very lucky to find you, we "people" are the only ones who could care and take care of every animal species, well, also for the human species, we need to take care of each other and also for everybody around us, so I humbly ask everybody, please watch out when you drive around places where there's animal life, please slow down a little, and enjoy the wonderful view of the different animal species that thrive in our little and only planet!
derek - 2010-05-24 Where was this bog? I live in orange county new york also and just found a baby painted I kept. I'm looking for another and that sounds like A GOOD place to rescue one.
Max - 2010-06-13 I live in Orange County, NY. Yesterday a turtle emerged from my pond, walked across the grass (abt 30 yards). There she dug a "nest" and extended it with an underground "tunnel." After that she laid five eggs. She pushed each egg into the tunnel and some dirt after it. Then she covered the nest and went back to the pond and swam away. I'm wondering if you have any info re the turtles, their breading or otherwise. I've put up some protection for the nest. Any idea when the eggs will hatch? I'd like to make sure the babies get safely back to the pond. Thanks.
bob - 2013-08-13 You shouldn't take painted turtles from their wild habitat, it can stress them out. Plus, it is bad for the environment. It would be good to first ask the state for permission before you put up the sign, but it is a good idea!
InkPoison - 2013-06-10 I have a small male painted turtle named Echo, and I've had him for about 3 years(the longest I ever had a pet, I was never good with fish). I like to name my animals with something that goes along with them. For example: I got a male albino guinea pig and named him Ghost for his color and mishevious personality. Echo got his named because he watch my every move and followed me around my room(which is really kind of creepy, imagine getting up at night and realizing your turtles staring at you). But it is true: Turtles are great pets, and if your thinking about getting one, I highly recommend reading this page.
Lori - 2009-09-28 Hello. We found a baby Western Painted turtle just 2 weeks ago, beside a lake that our city is draining. We're guessing he's about 2 weeks old. He still had his egg tooth up until today. :) He is very friendly and sweet. Thanks for your article!!
Painted Turtles can can handle a wide variety of conditions and will become quite tame, making them wonderful pets!
I have had my turtle for over a year. And recently he has been shedding. I was wondering if he was just growing or is something wrong. I saw that he has a whole in his shell. And i don't know what is wrong with him.
My friend found a large painted turtle in the middle of a corn field yesterday and gave it to me, I named him GT for Giant Turtle. I have had many turtles before, but this one is much larger, from nose to tail he/she is about 8-9 inches long. I don't know his/her age or sex. Could somebody please help me figure out? Thanks! :)
It's a female. A male painted turtle does not grow that large.
My daughter cought a painted baby turtle abiut two months ago. He's been doing fine in his 55 gallon tank. But my questions are, we took out his wood log that was his dry area, cause it was smelling up the house and tank. And we changed the water and added a suctioncup turtle dock to his set-up, but I have not seen him get out of the water fully and sit or even walk across it yet. And it's been about 10 hours now. Will he get sick or drown from not getting out every now and then? Also we noticed some ragged looking shreds hanging off him. And was wondering if it's him shedding from growing or is this a bad sign? Any info asap on his conditions would be greatly appreciated.
I would be concerned about the 'ragged looking shreds' because as these turtles grow, they loose individual scutes. He does need to get out of the water to bask, and needs a calcium supplement and full spectrum lighting (UVB) in the basking area in order get Vitamin D to absorb the calcium.
Hi, I live in Oswego county, NY... my 9 yo son and I just found a painted turtle in our back yard! I believe it is a female because she had dug up a spot in the yard! She sat at the spot for like 30 minutes then pushed the dirt back in and walked away! Just wondering if she did lay eggs how long will it be before we see babies.... We would like to watch for them! I am going to mark the spot so they won't mow there! Any help would be great!
Should be about ten weeks. For the babies to arrive. If she did lay eggs, are you close to water? They usually lay their eggs near a body of water. Have a best time watching them when they hatch, it's a good experience. I own one eastern painted turtle. His name is Gamera after the Monterrey movie turtle. We found him as a baby. Smaller than a quarter he was. Very excited my son was. Have fun but if you handle them remember to wash your hands. The babies can carry some germs not good for us. They are ok to handle just wash afterwards.. have a camera ready to capture the moment, and have fun.
Are there any serious health issues with painted turtles? I've heard there shells can fall off if they don't get enough sun, and to give them a calicum supplement. Is there any other concern that I need to worry about?
yes salmonella is a common turtle disease people catch easily if they dont wash there hands.
Actually the person responding as 'Anonymous' is not quite correct. Salmonella is not a turtle disease, it is a bacteria with over 200 strains. We come in contact with it all the time. Raw chicken that you fix for dinner, along with turtles as well as other reptiles are known to be carriiers of some strains. The best protection for your health and that of children is to be sanitary, and wash your hands regularly and teach your children to do so, especially after handling a reptile or any other animal for that matter.
I have a midland painted turtle i got from a freind who found it in the lake hear in ohio. i have it in a fish tank do i need a heat lamp or doe's it have any diseases i have kids and dont want them to get sick what should i doo?
It depends how big it is. Always should wash hands before and after handling turtles. You should have a basking light in the tank.
yes painted turtles do carry diseases, the smaller the turtle the bigger the risk. the diseases they carry is called salmonella and it could be deadly but only if you dont wash your hands. yes they do need a heat lamp the best one to get is the deep dome lamp fixture they sell them at petco. and they need a special UVB light bulb also sold at petco
Salmonella is a bacteria and it isn't restricted to turtles, although they are ones getting all the credit for being carriers. Actually, there are over 200 strains of salmonella bacteria. One of the common places we all come in contact with it is when we are preparing raw chicken for dinner.
So yes... washing your hands is the best protection against contracting illness from these bacteria... in all your endeavors. Children are especially at risk, so teach them to wash their hands regularly.. when handling reptiles especially, because we know there is a salmonella bacteria exposure there.
I have a western painted box turtle. I found him in a corey in vermont, I've had him for over a year now and all has been going well. Just reacently within the past coupple days he hasn't been using his back legs like he normally does, it's as if they are week or they hurt him. He isnt supporting himself with them in the water and they almost look swollen. Any one have any suggestions as to why this is happening??
You realize a painted turtle is different from a box turtle right?
Needs vet treatment. Usually means digestive tract blockage. If rear area swollen could be a kidney issue.
Check how old it is probably take it to the vet
Take him to the vet asap (as soon as possible )
Hello, I am from Orange county, New York.
While out on a days outing, driveing down a back road, we came across a road that divided a bog. We were so distraught at the amount of painters that had been run over by cars. We did find one that was trying to cross the road. Thinking it would get hit we brought it home with us and name her lucky. Which we believe she was! as no way would she have made it to the other sde, or back again for that matter. There had to be at least 2 dozen turtles there that didn't make it! Lucky now has a place in our home with all the comfort's of a turtles paradise, she deserve's it after such an ordeal! WHAT AN AWESOME TURTLE SHE IS!
We are planning on putting a sign up "!WARNING TURTLE CROSSING!PASS WITH CARE!!" CJ.
I was move to tears for the others turtles that didn't make it, but "lucky" was very lucky to find you, we "people" are the only ones who could care and take care of every animal species, well, also for the human species, we need to take care of each other and also for everybody around us, so I humbly ask everybody, please watch out when you drive around places where there's animal life, please slow down a little, and enjoy the wonderful view of the different animal species that thrive in our little and only planet!
Where was this bog? I live in orange county new york also and just found a baby painted I kept. I'm looking for another and that sounds like A GOOD place to rescue one.
I live in Orange County, NY. Yesterday a turtle emerged from my pond, walked across the grass (abt 30 yards). There she dug a "nest" and extended it with an underground "tunnel." After that she laid five eggs. She pushed each egg into the tunnel and some dirt after it. Then she covered the nest and went back to the pond and swam away. I'm wondering if you have any info re the turtles, their breading or otherwise. I've put up some protection for the nest. Any idea when the eggs will hatch? I'd like to make sure the babies get safely back to the pond. Thanks.
You shouldn't take painted turtles from their wild habitat, it can stress them out. Plus, it is bad for the environment. It would be good to first ask the state for permission before you put up the sign, but it is a good idea!
I have a small male painted turtle named Echo, and I've had him for about 3 years(the longest I ever had a pet, I was never good with fish). I like to name my animals with something that goes along with them. For example: I got a male albino guinea pig and named him Ghost for his color and mishevious personality. Echo got his named because he watch my every move and followed me around my room(which is really kind of creepy, imagine getting up at night and realizing your turtles staring at you). But it is true: Turtles are great pets, and if your thinking about getting one, I highly recommend reading this page.
Hello. We found a baby Western Painted turtle just 2 weeks ago, beside a lake that our city is draining. We're guessing he's about 2 weeks old. He still had his egg tooth up until today. :) He is very friendly and sweet. Thanks for your article!!