Step by step help?

[Elliriyanna]

I have a 5 month old, 3” , 63g R.p. manni. Currently in a 36x18x12 terrarium being kept aquatic. I’ve found a few care sheets only one that’s ok and they don’t really help a ton. How long can this little one stay in an enclosure this size? Given the humidity and needs do I need to keep an enclosed terrarium in the house or can I just use a tortoise table? I’ve been researching like crazy but they are not an overly common species and I want to do the best I can. Also do you go terrestrial the first spring or when they are 12-18 months? It seems to vary from person to person. I’m not usually one to get an animal unprepared, I got the lighting, diet, temps etc, but information on the transition and how long they can stay in smaller enclosures is lacking.

 

[KarenSoCal]

@Moozillion
@Markw84

Any help here?

 

[Moozillion]

I don’t know what the R.p. Stands for.
What are other names for this turtle?

 

[Elliriyanna]

I don’t know what the R.p. Stands for.
What are other names for this turtle?

Rhinoclemmys pulcherrima manni

 

[Markw84]

@Moozillion Commonly called the Central American Ornate Wood Turtle.

I feel the enclosure you have now is probably fine until the turtle reaches about 4+". Then I would give it a bit more room - at least a 75 gallon aquarium size-wise. Care is fairly similar to the American Box Turtles. Also almost identical to the N American Wood Turtles. @mark1 keeps those very successfully and has for years. Perhaps he can contribute here with suggestions.

As you appear to know, they do become more terrestrial as they get older. So the more aquatic setup you have now is great. I would, when bigger, increase the land area as they will prefer that. They can eat both in and out of the water. Keep lots of cover like leaf litter and some plants with moist substrate. An open top tub should work fine for the larger enclosures once bigger. The hides will provide high humidity areas. Be sure to keep warm - water temps 75°+ and air temps in the 80°s

 

[Elliriyanna]

@Moozillion Commonly called the Central American Ornate Wood Turtle.

I feel the enclosure you have now is probably fine until the turtle reaches about 4+". Then I would give it a bit more room - at least a 75 gallon aquarium size-wise. Care is fairly similar to the American Box Turtles. Also almost identical to the N American Wood Turtles. @mark1 keeps those very successfully and has for years. Perhaps he can contribute here with suggestions.

As you appear to know, they do become more terrestrial as they get older. So the more aquatic setup you have now is great. I would, when bigger, increase the land area as they will prefer that. They can eat both in and out of the water. Keep lots of cover like leaf litter and some plants with moist substrate. An open top tub should work fine for the larger enclosures once bigger. The hides will provide high humidity areas. Be sure to keep warm - water temps 75°+ and air temps in the 80°s

I am looking at large totes and adding ventilation. Once moved out of the terrarium I’m planning to go terrestrial with a large water area. I will go full bioactive when they are bigger. I just hope they don’t eat all the plants lol. Little fiend. Thank you for the help. I should have gotten a box turtle, I could keep that outside more than 5 months of the year lol

I currently have a water heater keeping the temp about 80 , and a halogen bulb and Arcadia forest 12% for basking. Usually it stays in the water though.

 

[Elliriyanna]

Well, the filter just decided to quit, could I go ahead and just move the turtle to terrestrial or do I need to get another filter?

 

[Moozillion]

I am not familiar with this species, so I have no experience or expertise to offer.
But Markw84 is a fabulous resource, so I’m glad you’ve gotten in touch with him!
Wishing you the best of luck!

 

[mark1]

imo, small turtles do better in smaller enclosures.... what you have him in , as said, is fine........ give him water and land choice..... i'd say more land than water...... the females get pretty hi domed shells, minimally webbed feet, and are not good swimmers....... i don't know where you live, but in northeast ohio , given a heat source over the water and a heated box they live outside here from mid may through mid november in most years..... i provide a water pan ( a hot water tank pan) and they have access to a pond, they never use the pond more than walking to the edge and drinking..... the do sit in the pan a lot under a heat lamp.... they are the most hardy turtle i've ever kept, feed them properly, provide appropriate heat, a water source , land and hides and they thrive...... long lived , i have turtles here bought as young adults in mid 1990's.... the only deaths i've had were raccoons and drowning....... imo, when to transition to terrestrial? i've never kept them aquatic , i doubt it matters....... if kept exactly like eastern box turtles, minus the hibernation thing and cold weather, they'll do great.....

indoor

outdoor

 

[Markw84]

You cannot do better than the advice given above by @mark1 with his direct experience keeping this species for 30 years.

Thanks, Mark.

 

[Elliriyanna]

imo, small turtles do better in smaller enclosures.... what you have him in , as said, is fine........ give him water and land choice..... i'd say more land than water...... the females get pretty hi domed shells, minimally webbed feet, and are not good swimmers....... i don't know where you live, but in northeast ohio , given a heat source over the water and a heated box they live outside here from mid may through mid november in most years..... i provide a water pan ( a hot water tank pan) and they have access to a pond, they never use the pond more than walking to the edge and drinking..... the do sit in the pan a lot under a heat lamp.... they are the most hardy turtle i've ever kept, feed them properly, provide appropriate heat, a water source , land and hides and they thrive...... long lived , i have turtles here bought as young adults in mid 1990's.... the only deaths i've had were raccoons and drowning....... imo, when to transition to terrestrial? i've never kept them aquatic , i doubt it matters....... if kept exactly like eastern box turtles, minus the hibernation thing and cold weather, they'll do great.....

indoor

outdoor

When would you move to a bigger enclosure? My climate isn’t that much different than yours, he/ she will be out most likely May - October during the day at least when bigger. Still working a few things out. Like if I want to have it out during the day this summer. Do you raise hatchlings? Just curious.

 

[mark1]

When would you move to a bigger enclosure?

i think Markw's advice on that is as good as anyone is going to give you...... i don't think it's an exact requirement ...... imo, the biggest enclosure you can provide is what it is........ i think an enclosure large enough to have differing temperature zones is important.... i think space to move is important for health, a reason to move is healthy ...... turtle move to find food, temperature , safety, the sun...... if i go out looking for turtles i usually just look for sunny spots, and they do follow those spots as the sun moves........ thermo-regulation, finding food and cover are all enrichment activities that, imo, promote health......

 

[Elliriyanna]

i think Markw's advice on that is as good as anyone is going to give you...... i don't think it's an exact requirement ...... imo, the biggest enclosure you can provide is what it is........ i think an enclosure large enough to have differing temperature zones is important.... i think space to move is important for health, a reason to move is healthy ...... turtle move to find food, temperature , safety, the sun...... if i go out looking for turtles i usually just look for sunny spots, and they do follow those spots as the sun moves........ thermo-regulation, finding food and cover are all enrichment activities that, imo, promote health......

I agree and plan to in the future but you also said smaller turtles do better in smaller enclosures. I just wanna set this one up for success. My experience in mostly in aquatics