My Spotted Turtle

[Freddy90]

Hey everyone!
This is a thread where I will post pictures and updates of my spotted turtle Petrie

This is how his setup currently looks.



Finally spied on him basking


Petrie in his separate feeding tub


Thanks to all here who helped me with answering all my questions. This forum is great!

 

[KarenSoCal]

I don't see a water dish in his setup. Shouldn't he have one? (I don't know anything about turtles).

 

[Freddy90]

I don't see a water dish in his setup. Shouldn't he have one? (I don't know anything about turtles).

He drinks the water he swims in. No need for an extra water dish. I just need to make sure the water is pristine

 

[Paschendale52]

Thats super cool. Hows the filtration? Do you have to change a prefilter pretty often? It seems like you've got a great naturalistic environment there.

 

[Freddy90]

Thats super cool. Hows the filtration? Do you have to change a prefilter pretty often? It seems like you've got a great naturalistic environment there.

Thank u!
I dont use filtration currently besides the natural bacteria. If he gets bigger I will ad a filter. I do a 100% water change ones a week. I would probably get away with 2 week water changes cause there are a lot of surface plants and underwater plants.
This setup was done a few months prior to getting the turtle which is important so the beneficial bacteria has time to grow.

 

[Freddy90]

Recently had a bit of cold weather with nights in the 7°c range. But today the sun is back out with 19°c in the shade and 27-31°c in the sun.


He had no problems with the cold nights and his appetite is enormous only took him 1 minutes to eat these 3 mealworms

 

[Freddy90]

Getting cold and nature helped me to naturally lower the temps. I put Petrie in the fridge for safe hibernation at 4°C.
Hes doing good so far. I will check his weight every two weeks. Opening the fridge every 4 days for a short time just to make sure everything looks ok and a little air gets exchanged.
He will be in hibernation till March.

28.10.2020: 17 grams

 

[KarenSoCal]

17 gms! He seems so tiny to hibernate! I'd be petrified!

 

[Freddy90]

17 gms! He seems so tiny to hibernate! I'd be petrified!

I was to at the beginning of my research but they also do it in nature without any help and im providing stable temperatures so there's no possible danger of freezing and no danger of predators. These two things seem to be the highest problem for turtles during hibernation.

I'm 100% sure that he will be alright.

I only hibernate him because I know that his parents are from canada. Now if I wouldn't know the locality they are from I wouldn't risk it.

 

[Freddy90]

Little text update not much to say and see. He has not lost weight so far. Hes inactive but responds to the touch of his feet.

12 januar: 17 grams

I post the Next update in March when he is finished with his winter sleep and again in his outside tub.

 

[Richardonesia]

Little text update not much to say and see. He has not lost weight so far. Hes inactive but responds to the touch of his feet.

12 januar: 17 grams

I post the Next update in March when he is finished with his winter sleep and again in his outside tub.

Wow, I really liked your post. I'm curious of how is Petrie doing, pls tag me on your next update !

 

[SasquatchTortoise]

Careful about doing a 100% water change
you don't want to kill too much bacteria

 

[Freddy90]

Careful about doing a 100% water change
you don't want to kill too much bacteria

Yes thank u. I have read about this recently and will change next season to only 20% water changes per 2 weeks and occasionally topping of the water that evaporated.

 

[SasquatchTortoise]

Yes thank u. I have read about this recently and will change next season to only 20% water changes per 2 weeks and occasionally topping of the water that evaporated.

I would say 50% once a week or every other week since torts poo a lot. Or you could do the 20% and "vaccum" the bottom to clean up waste