Baby mud turtle

Christyk

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I'm looking for info on mud turtle care. I'm sure it's on the forum but I can't find it. Can anyone point me in the right direction?
 

Pastel Tortie

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I'm looking for info on mud turtle care. I'm sure it's on the forum but I can't find it. Can anyone point me in the right direction?
Do you know what type of mud turtle you have? We can tailor advice a bit more if we know what kind it is. Pictures of your turtle and its setup will help us troubleshoot.

In the meantime, the resources below should get you started.

MUD TURTLES - Kinosternon species

http://www.chelonia.org/Articles/kinosternidaecare.htm

http://www.turtlerescues.com/mud_and_musk_turtles.htm
 

Christyk

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Do you know what type of mud turtle you have? We can tailor advice a bit more if we know what kind it is. Pictures of your turtle and its setup will help us troubleshoot.

In the meantime, the resources below should get you started.

MUD TURTLES - Kinosternon species

http://www.chelonia.org/Articles/kinosternidaecare.htm

http://www.turtlerescues.com/mud_and_musk_turtles.htm
I'm told it's a Mississippi mud. Right now it's in a 5 gallon but I'm preparing a 10 gallon that will be about 1/2 water 1/2 land. I'm using a mini uvb light and ceramic bulb for light and heat respectively. I'll post pic in a few minutes.
 

Pastel Tortie

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I keep two Kinosternon baurii - Three Striped Mud Turtles - and they are now around a year old. Although you might keep a different species of mud turtle, the guidance available online for three striped mud turtles is the most detailed. It is conservative, but conservative will serve both you and your turtle well over the next several months.

Hatchling mud turtles are tiny... and delicate. I think I only stopped worrying QUITE so much a few months ago, when my smallest turtle hit the 2" mark.

Austin's Turtle Page - solid, reliable information, with very detailed info on three striped mud turtle hatchlings
http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Care/caresheet-3_striped_mud.htm

David Kirkpatrick's article on Striped Mud Turtles - http://www.turtlerescues.com/striped_mud_turtles.htm
 

Pastel Tortie

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I'm told it's a Mississippi mud. Right now it's in a 5 gallon but I'm preparing a 10 gallon that will be about 1/2 water 1/2 land. I'm using a mini uvb light and ceramic bulb for light and heat respectively. I'll post pic in a few minutes.
Mississippi mud turtles are very similar to three striped mud turtles. They are easily mistaken for each other.

Austin's Turtle Page has a caresheet for Mississippi mud turtles, but it's much shorter than the one for three striped mud turtles. I'd use both. :)
http://austinsturtlepage.com/Care/cs-mismud.htm
 

Christyk

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I keep two Kinosternon baurii - Three Striped Mud Turtles - and they are now around a year old. Although you might keep a different species of mud turtle, the guidance available online for three striped mud turtles is the most detailed. It is conservative, but conservative will serve both you and your turtle well over the next several months.

Hatchling mud turtles are tiny... and delicate. I think I only stopped worrying QUITE so much a few months ago, when my smallest turtle hit the 2" mark.

Austin's Turtle Page - solid, reliable information, with very detailed info on three striped mud turtle hatchlings
http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Care/caresheet-3_striped_mud.htm

David Kirkpatrick's article on Striped Mud Turtles - http://www.turtlerescues.com/striped_mud_turtles.htm
This is the set up for now. I have a screen over the aquarium rocks to keep him/her out of the rocks. I'm also keeping the water shallow because it's so small.20190608_192309.jpeg20190607_121514.jpeg
 

Christyk

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Village Mills Texas
Mississippi mud turtles are very similar to three striped mud turtles. They are easily mistaken for each other.

Austin's Turtle Page has a caresheet for Mississippi mud turtles, but it's much shorter than the one for three striped mud turtles. I'd use both. :)
http://austinsturtlepage.com/Care/cs-mismud.htm
Thanks so much. I'll read the links tonight. The eventual plan is to move it outside into a habitat with a small pond. We gave 2 three toed box turtles also so I have a little experience with them, just not with the muds.
 

Pastel Tortie

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This is the set up for now. I have a screen over the aquarium rocks to keep him/her out of the rocks. I'm also keeping the water shallow because it's so small.View attachment 274483View attachment 274484
Your baby is adorable! Yes, even being all shy and hiding out in its shell, it's still adorable. :) In a few months, be prepared for getting caught by a tiny turtle chomp, when you least expect it... Ask me how I know... :rolleyes: :D

Shallow water is very important right now. Drowning is the first main risk for the next few months.

The second big risk for a tiny mud turtle (or any tiny turtle/tortoise) is overheating, which can be fatal to a hatchling in a short period of time. Make sure you have a handle on the temperatures throughout the enclosure.

What type and wattage lights are you using in the double dome fixture?

What is your baby eating for you? Normally I'd ask what you're feeding the turtle, but mud turtles can be extremely hard headed. :)
 

Christyk

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Location (City and/or State)
Village Mills Texas
Your baby is adorable! Yes, even being all shy and hiding out in its shell, it's still adorable. :) In a few months, be prepared for getting caught by a tiny turtle chomp, when you least expect it... Ask me how I know... :rolleyes: :D

Shallow water is very important right now. Drowning is the first main risk for the next few months.

The second big risk for a tiny mud turtle (or any tiny turtle/tortoise) is overheating, which can be fatal to a hatchling in a short period of time. Make sure you have a handle on the temperatures throughout the enclosure.

What type and wattage lights are you using in the double dome fixture?

What is your baby eating for you? Normally I'd ask what you're feeding the turtle, but mud turtles can be extremely hard headed. :)
The light is a 25watt and we keep monitoring the temps. It's cold in my house so overheating isnt usually an issue for us but being to cold can be. Right now the temps are in the 72° range. Hes eating worms and snails. Yesterday I brought him outside for sunshine and a warm 80° bath while I intently watched. 1560308113181.jpeg
 
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