Any of you who have read my recent posts know that I have lost a couple of baby 3-striped mud turtles and it has been so devastating since the time that we lost our beloved Phlash ( an adult 3-striped mud turtle). We have had this little guy two weeks today and every day is so stressful, to see that he is still alive and surviving. One thing that is a plus with this little guy (we haven't given him a name and won't until he is here at least a month) is he does seem to have a good appetite. Of course, just like Phlash, he is a picky eater. But what I feel is that I am just happy he is eating and I will give him whatever he likes, which seems to be gourmet seafood like salmon, shrimp, and scallops. I still offer him baby turtle pellets and do supplement his food with some vitamins but he loves his seafood, sometimes Beefheart, and may eat freeze-dried mealworm. I try to give him variety and change up his meals a little but I am happy he is eating (which he does in a separate feeding bowl).
My problem is that he is always hiding and sometimes he does it so well that I cannot find him. When it is time to feed, I want to ensure I can see him before I get him out because I do not want to stress him out and chase him all over the tank. I don't try to physically find him by disturbing him throughout the day but I do like to check up on him to be sure he is ok. (I probably stress out because of the history I had with the last 2 babies that we lost). I really worry when I can't find him. I am always afraid he is going to get himself stuck somewhere. Is he ever going to get more comfortable where he will be seen swimming around his tank? I think he has a pretty safe, comfortable tank.
My problem is that he is always hiding and sometimes he does it so well that I cannot find him. When it is time to feed, I want to ensure I can see him before I get him out because I do not want to stress him out and chase him all over the tank. I don't try to physically find him by disturbing him throughout the day but I do like to check up on him to be sure he is ok. (I probably stress out because of the history I had with the last 2 babies that we lost). I really worry when I can't find him. I am always afraid he is going to get himself stuck somewhere. Is he ever going to get more comfortable where he will be seen swimming around his tank? I think he has a pretty safe, comfortable tank.