I'll post more pics once my son wakes up! Thank you all who replied! He isn't an aquatic turtle though (I don't think) because when petsmart out him in water he hated it and didn't swim? More pictures coming. (I hope he's not because we bought a land turtle habitat! Ugh!) more to come!
What is this guy?
- Thread starter Lauramax
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Many turtles spend a good deal of time on land, for instants my box turtle. pet stores usually don't have a clue unfortunately. you can put him in lukewarm water to about where his top and bottom shall meet. This will help him get hydrated.
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There can be many reasons why a turtle would be distressed in the water. The temperature may be uncomfortable. Don't be guided by the pet store experience.
Turtles need a substrate that holds moisture, not a dry environment.
Turtles need a substrate that holds moisture, not a dry environment.
It would have to be a wood or Asian box turtle.They can eat on land and water. A water turtle needs to eat in water. They say wood turtles are hardy this would surely prove it poor guy. Good save for sure. I hope you can clean it up and get better pictures to identify it for the right care.They sell wood turtles at Petco now and then. Welcome by the way!
As pointed out, it will need a moist substrate and a wading/soaking bowl (I prefer a terra cotta plant dish). It will eat soft fruit and a protein source such as mealworms, earthworms and crickets (with the crickets you'll need a screen top). A hide will also be good.
Hi Laura, and welcome to the Forum!!
Yes, he most certainly IS a water turtle. Water turtles that have been kept out of the water for a long time dry up inside and they can't submerge when put in water. He needs to be set up in a wet environment immediately. For right now, you can start with just a couple inches of water, just enough to allow him to start soaking the water in and getting hydrated once again. I'd be willing to bet it's a red ear slider. When the turtle extends its neck is there a red stripe behind the eyes?
Wow, I didn't know they could survive not being able to eat out of water. That is amazing to know. This truly is a mystery turtle. I hope you get pictures of it cleaned up I am dieing to know what kind of turtle it is.
Okay! Here's a bunch more pics. Overnight he slept in his big water bowl (water comes up to his neck) and now he's basking in the lamp (got him one of those two bulb basking:uv combos). He pooped out straight orange peel (they were feeding him all fruit). I gave him romaine and carrots and turtle pellets. Going to buy greens. Issue with not knowing what he is is whether or not he should have protein, how much, etc. Help!
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Hm-m-m...those stripes are throwin' me for a loop. Let's send a shout out to @Anthony P and @Gerards
It's definitely NOT a red ear slider, like I previously thought. And it's not a central American wood turtle.
don't worry, we'll get it figured out for you. Be patient.
It's definitely NOT a red ear slider, like I previously thought. And it's not a central American wood turtle.
don't worry, we'll get it figured out for you. Be patient.
thats a asian leaf turtle.
P.S. -spending the night in the water dish should be a big clue for you. The turtle needs more water in its habitat.
Nick: You may be onto something there.
Here's a care sheet for the Asian Leaf Turtle:
http://www.chelonia.org/Articles/Cyclmeyscare.htm
Nick: You may be onto something there.
Here's a care sheet for the Asian Leaf Turtle:
http://www.chelonia.org/Articles/Cyclmeyscare.htm
Okay so he basked for a while then walked into our little "forest". I have him on cedar reptile mulch. We sprayed it and humidity has reached about 40 percent and its about 85 in tank (by light). Going to whole foods for dandelion. What else? Also please tell me what he is if you know! Calling vet Monday to see. This turtles already cost us more than a new healthy one! But we fell in love with him. Poor thing!
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The care sheet I linked above for you (Asian leaf turtle) tells you what they eat and how to set up their habitat.
this is Cyclemys dentata or Cyclemys tcheponensis
No, that won't do. He needs to LIVE in the half water/half land situation. You can put a brick under one end of the aquarium and have water down in the lower end and substrate up above. Put some big rocks at the waters' edge to keep the substrate up out of the water.
Maybe the pet store will take back what you don't need??
Maybe the pet store will take back what you don't need??
Once you get them set up there isn't much cost involved. many of us have bought all the wrong stuff at the pet store only to return it. 
I know it's aggravating.
I know it's aggravating.
