turtles at home: part 2, Myrtle

Myrtle is a Fly River turtle, an aquatic fresh water species

^^Fly River turtles are fully aquatic and need room to swim.  This little guy lives 

in a 210 gallon aquarium with an upgrade to a 400g planned for the near future.

^^big fruit and veggie eaters. This is melon.

^^cucumber

 

 ^^tomato

^^technique is important... first subdue

 

^^ ...then conquer

 

^^filtration is everything.

 ^^resting areas are important

^^turtle naps, FRTs only need to surface several times an hour when sleeping

^^not all FRTs make great neighbours, even when small. Mostly, they're

 a hazard for bottom dwelling fish.

photo credit: all photos by Juice
read more about Myrtle and other Fly River Turtles at BCAquaria 
turtles at home: part 1, Buddy and Yurdle

turtles at home: part 1, Buddy and Yurdle

Buddy

^^Buddy, a red-eared slider. Trachemys Scripta Elegans. Check out those awesome boy-claws.

basics:

1)male carapace 20-25cm / female 25-31cm

2)life span 30 years wild / more in captivity

3)tank size 300-450litres / 80-120 gallons

4)temperature 25-27C / 77-80F

^^ basking

 ^^Buddy's basking platform

^^ 55 gallon aquarium with basking platform. Buddy will need tank upgrades as he grows.

 

^^turtles can be determined climbers. 

update Jan '14: Buddies new 108 gallon pond can be viewed on the free member's forum at  

Canadian Aquaria

Yurdle

 ^^Yurdle, a shy female river cooter turtle, Pseudemys concinna

1)carapace 23-33cm / 9-13 inches

2)life span 40 years wild / longer in captivity

3)tank size 682+ litres / 180+ gallons

4)temperature 25 - 27C / 77 - 80F

 

^^growing

 ^^3 years old and 30cm long - and not done growing

 ^^Yurdle's old basking area, in a 135 gallon with 2 XP4 filters

^^2012's 180 gallon pond upgrade, showing basking platform and netting frame

 ^^salad chic: this gal likes her veggies

^^boarding ramp and basking area. The tub is usually draped with netting to keep 

out Daisy, Yurdle's ever curious dog roommate.

 ^^female turtles will need dry land to lay eggs. The exercise and sunshine are good, too.

  

^^don't leave turtles out doors unattended.

  

^^who doesn't enjoy a spring outing?

update Jan '14: Yurdle's on going adventures can be viewed on the free member's forum at Canada Aquaria

photo credits: Photos of Buddy by CACadmin; photos of Yurdle by KimR

turtle housing thread at Happy Turtle Pub

coming next in Part2: Fly River turtles and 'left-over turtlez'