should i add another turtle

Question
QUESTION: Hi, I have a yellow belly slider aquatic turtle for about a year now and its about the size of a half dollar and i was wondering if i could get another turtle like a painted turtle or a red eared slider and have it in the same tank with it. but should i be cornered on what sex it is or if they fight or is it a just a bad idea because i don't want anything happen my tutrle that I have right now

ANSWER: Hi Carolyn, your turtle should be bigger then that by now, do you have proper heating, uv lighting, and all the other care aspects reached?

If you want to get another turtle it must be another Yellow Belly Slider. Although they have the same care as most aquatic turtles they can be more dominant and territorial when it comes to another species in their territory.

Territorial and dominant fighting can occur if the enclosure isn't big enough so thats another thing to keep in mind.

2 males can and most likely will fight to the death wether be the same species or different species.

2 females can get along but be aware that a female will lay eggs multiple times a year even without mating and you must have the proper setup for them to lay their infertile eggs or they can become egg bound and die. Also, Egg laying is very stressful and sometimes fatal procedures. The turtles can be damaged, stop eating, become sick and many other possibilities while carrying eggs.

1male 1female will mate and then you will have egg laying to deal with and what to do with the eggs, freeze them and toss them, or incubate and hatch them. Are you prepared for 20 hatchling turtles? They do not sell for very much so dont think of making any profit off of them. They need a lot of space in an enclosure if you expect to keep them.

These are all things to keep in mind.

Now with that information you can decide wether its worth the "risk" or if there is a "risk" or what step you want to take next.


Good luck
Yexalen

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: ok thanks i not going to get another turtle now but i am now kind of worried that my turtle is not the size it should be i have a heated light that i run for about 10-13 hours a day,a flirter, a rock for him to get out of the water and the tank is a 10 gallon. am i doing something wrong or not doing something that is affecting his growth?


ANSWER: Hi Carolyn, do you have full spectrum UV lighting? If not then there is your problem. They need it for many different reasons. A larger tank wouldnt hurt either.

Turtles all grow at different rates but usually hatchling/young turtles double in size every year until they are about 4 inches long. So unless your turtle was half the size it was when you got it, there may be a problem

Say you got your turtle last year and he was 1 inch long a year later now and he is 2 inches long. This is normal. Even a slight difference is fine as well.

But if your turtle was 2 inches last year and still 2 inches this year then perhaps something is wrong.

What are your water temperatures and air temperatures?

Let me know
Good luck
Yexalen

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: well I don't think I have one.I haven't even heard of something like that for a turtle. the only light I have on it is a heat lamp i belive thats what it is called (it just clamps to the side of the tank). I think when I got the turtle that is the only thing she told me I needed for light wise. so is this UV light just a light that clamps onto the side like a heat lamp? and do you think I could get one at any pet store?

Answer
Hi Carolyn, The heat lamp is still needed but in addition the  UV light is also necessary. They are long tube flourescent lights that would look like fish tank lights. (Fish tank lights will not work for this) The UV lights run about $20 but if you already have a fixture for it (from a black light or fish tank perhaps) then it will be cheaper. Most pet stores do sell UV lighting. If you can not find them then visit this site and order online. This site is very often recommended and I have never had a problem with it. (This link also shows some UV lights)

Do NOT buy the coil bulbs, (such as Flukers Sun-Glow Coil Lantern) they have been known to cause eye damage. Only buy the fluorescent ones and be sure it says UVB on it. Some of the ones for sale look exactly like UV bulbs and say something about lighting for reptiles but they don't put off UV rays.

http://www.reptilesupply.com/index.php?cPath=26_27

Good luck
Yexalen