Baby Red Eared Slider Attacked By Bigger One

by Summer
(Alabama)

I have a red eared slider that we've had for a year. There were men selling babies at a festival and after they advised me that the two would "Thrive" together in my tank I purchased the baby. I put the baby in the tank with the other and the 1st day they were fine, kinda checking each other out. Both being skiddish about the other. The 2nd day, yesterday, I woke up to find that the bigger one had the baby by the foot shaking him around. I removed him from the tank and put him back in the small cage he came in. When he was first released by the other turtle he swam to to basking platform and climbed up. When I picked it up he was moving and trying to get away (like normal I assume) but as soon as I out him in the tank he crawled to a corner and closed his eyes. He hasnt really moved since. Nor has he opened his eyes. He's been like this for one day. Because I do not have a heat lamp and figured the water was cool since its cool in my house and theres only bout an inch of water in there, i took him outside to see if getting some sun would help. He started moving around trying to get shade. So he is still moving, although not very much, but is not opening his eyes and hasnt ate in about 36 hours. ????? Oh and every once in a while he opens his mouth...

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Sep 16, 2010
 Turtle gone
by: Anonymous

I'm so sorry about your turtle. I also hope others will read your story and pay attention.
Aug 26, 2010
 He Didn't Make It...
by: Summer

I contacted my local vet but they did not specialize in turles, they advised me of where I could contact, but I was not able to get in touch with anyone. From what I have read posted by others on this website and a few more, I believe that it had a respiratory infection... I disapointingly was not able to get him help in time and he did not make it... I am trying to get in contact with the people that sold him to me since they incorrectly told me that he would be ok in the tank with the other one. I only wish that I had done my own research before getting him since it was very easy finding information saying that RES are aggressive towards smaller turtles. But unfortunately this was a spur of the moment purchase that was made for my 4 year old step daughter... She has not yet been back to our home to find out that it is gone. But I only hope that this makes people think twice about purchasing animals from tents at festivals (although this is the same place that the older turtle was bought over a year ago).. But my point is.. I believe that they were only trying to make a sell, rather than telling me the truth about the situation. Thanks for all the information...
Aug 26, 2010
 Baby Red Eared Slider Attacked By Bigger One
by: Susan

First of all, I think turtles tend to like to be more alone....or with some small, fast, fish...
The conditions must be warmer, water etc. I would set him up in a separate tank, maybe 20 gallon for now...have the water low, warm low 80's...have a basking dock, with a UVA light over it for warmth, and should be upper 80's, low 90's...needs that warmth in order to stimulate him to eat..UVB light, coiled 10.0, works very well, to keep his shell hard.. fortified calcium pellets, hand feed a few in the morning and a few in the late afternoon..you have to get him into a routine, and get his eyes open, right now he is lacking vitamin A for his eyes, and if remain close he will not eat and his health will go down hill quickly..maybe contact a vet and see what they suggest for now..later at 5-6 months introduce some romaine lettuce, full of vitamins and minerals.water needs a very good pump, frequent water changes.....I also use Reptisafe in my water every time I add some..maybe later the two can be introduced again, but watched....first you have to get this little guy healthy, bright eyes and a hard shell... I hope I have been of some help, sincerely, Susan.
Aug 25, 2010
 red eared
by: Anonymous

It sounds as if your new baby Turtle has been injured and needs care you can't give him, its time to see a vet.

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