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yellowbellied turtle

22 16:30:23

Question
Hello. First can I say...I have had Squirt (my turtle) for 1yr&6mths now and I look at all of your sites habitually, ha. I just have three questions that I need cleared up though...
1.What exactly can YBS turtles eat? I have been feeding him ReptoMin food sticks (have Ca+ & Vitamin C) as well as Omega One freeze dried shrimp for treats. I'm worried though that he isn't getting enough nutrition. He isn't sick or showing signs of nutrient defficency but I just wanted to double check that these two items were safe for Squirt and provided enough nutrition. What do you think?

2.How many times should I feed Squirt? I was feeding him once to twice daily, and I saw that you suggested that usually feeding 3 times weekly is enough. Every time I feed him he always gets so excited and always eats all the food I give him, and my fear is I'm either over-feeding him and he is just getting fat and used to the daily feeding or if I stop feeding daily he will starve. Should I continue twice daily feeding or should I cut back?

3.With the heating and lighting...currently I am using a UV-Heat lamp...can you use a UV-Heat lamp to provide both heat for the water and basking, as well as for providing light; or do you suggest something different? And if so, what do you suggest?

Answer
1. A mix of 1/2 pellets and 1/2 live or frozen/thawed 'fish foods' like small fish, krill, shrimp, etc. Freeze-dried stuff usually lacks good nutrients. After about 4 years old, add greens to the diet.

2. Generally- 0-1 year old- daily. 1-4 years old, every other day. 4+- every three days or so. The exact schedule is not vitally important, but reducing food as it gets older and slower is. Serving size is about the size of its head.

3. UV heating is rarely good enough to keep a big tank warm by itself. You want the water temps 75-80F, and this usually means a good water heater with a good thermostatic control and often a guard around it.

The site http://www.redearslider.com works for this turtle quite nicely, and http://www.austinsturtlepage.com talks about food, water quality, etc. in a lot more depth.

Good luck!