Pet Information > ASK Experts > Exotic Pets > Turtles > about diet and exact environment which i should create for her

about diet and exact environment which i should create for her

22 16:02:55

Question

shell
I have a female turtle,jingo.i don't know the exact breed but i  was told that she is an American turtle. i don't know her exact age but i was told that she is of few months.
i think jingo is suffering from shell rot. there are small white spots on her shell and she is getting pink day by day from the bottom side. she has started biting her nails and arms.
actually i don't have complete knowledge about how to take care of her and what kind of environment should be provided for her.
what should be her diet?

Answer
Hi bhanu,

I can't give you exact information without knowing what species (not breed; turtles are wild animals so don't have breeds) it is.  It's likely to be a red-eared slider (RES).  If there's red stripe behind the eye, that's what it is.  I can give you some links to care information, but you do need to find out the species for sure, because care and diet can vary.

I can't really tell from your picture, but if bits of shell are flaking off and showing white underneath, that's probably old shell rot that's healed.  Check for any oozing, redness, or odor that would indicate an infection.  The developing pink underneath may be more serious.  If this is something new, and especially if the pink areas are soft and appear to be underneath the surface of the shell, or there seems to be bleeding, you need to take her to a vet IMMEDIATELY.  She may have septicemia, which can be rapidly fatal.

Essentially, a water turtle needs a roomy tank (yours probably needs at least 50 gallons), a good filter, a basking area 10-15 degrees warmer than the water, a good source of UVB, and a good varied diet (not just one item).

Here's some links to RES information and basic care:

www.redearslider.com
www.austinsturtlepage.com (read the RES care sheet, plus information on water quality, housing, and health)  

Good luck!