Our baby turtle

We found a baby painted turtle and it keeps its mouth open all the time and sometimes stretches out its neck and squeeks a little can you tell me whats wrong with it?

Comments for Our baby turtle

Click here to add your own comments

Oct 19, 2010
Our baby turtle
by: Susan

Hi, well you have not said where you keep him... He needs warmth from a UVA light, High 80's, low 90'sF, and a water heater at 82 if he is a baby.. fortified calcium pellets a few twice daily... at 5-6 months try adding romaine lettuce.. He needs a basking area under the UVA light, beside this is a UVB bulb 10.0-coiled works well to keep his food metabolized and shell/bones hard... If he is missing any of this, he will be cold and if he is cold, he will not eat, and will get very sick.
At night you can switch to a red infrared bulb by Heat Glo, over his basking dock,rock etc. this way he has an area where he keeps warm, and you can still see him,..the other UVA bulb is a white Sun Glo bulb, keeps the temp high, and use a thermometer to make sure... Also you can use a cuddle bone in water, i shave mine in each water change, as well as use the Reptisafe drops.. I hope this helps..wish you the best, sincerely, Susan.

Click here to add your own comments

Return to Ask Your Turtle or Tortoise Question.