Looking for a water turtle to adopt?

[Yvonne G]

Just took in 2016 rescue #30. I THINK it's a stinkpot, but not sure:



No shipping. I'm located in Central California - Clovis.

 

[Yelloweyed]

The plastron is smaller than a mud. My vote is a male musk.

 

[Markw84]

Yup. That's a stinkpot Sternotherus odoratus Hard to tell in the plastron shot but looks male

 

[juli11]

Yep odoratus and a male

 

[lisa127]

Wish I lived by you. Love those guys!

 

[BrianWI]

Yes, eastern musk turtle. I used to catch those as a kid. We had 2 clear bottom sand lakes down the road, you would see them walking along the bottom. They do make great little pets.

 

[Yvonne G]

Well, then, since there are so many of you who recognized this little guy, let me ask you another question. I usually give the water turtles to a guy here in town who has a 2 acre pond. He's got a little money, and his property is landscaped and maintained by gardeners. I've given him some pretty large RES in the past. Can this little turtle live in the pond with the large RES? or should I try to find him a different home.

 

[Yelloweyed]

I can't speak with experience but I got my mud turtle because her previous owner was concerned about the size difference with her RES.

 

[Markw84]

I keep both Stinkpots and Razorback Musks in my pond with sliders, cooter, maps, etc. I've kept them in tanks with sliders, cooters too. They do great together except the reverse of what you suspect = In a small environment the Stinkpot are the tail biters! They will nip the tips of other turtle's tails. In a pond they would do great.

 

[Yvonne G]

Thank you all.

 

[Markw84]

I would take him if I lived closer to you! Really enjoy those musk and love them in the pond.

 

[Yvonne G]

It's only a two hour drive.

 

[Rue]

Maybe you guys could meet in the middle?

 

[Markw84]

It's only a two hour drive.

Used to be able to get to Clovis in 2 hrs when I lined in Oakdale but now it takes 3 hrs from outside Sacramento

 

[Kapidolo Farms]

Used to be able to get to Clovis in 2 hrs when I lined in Oakdale but now it takes 3 hrs from outside Sacramento

Well I feel less bad for not making the seven hour trip (one way) more often than I do.

 

[Yvonne G]

Maybe you guys could meet in the middle?

I don't drive on the highway.

 

[Rue]

Catch a ride with a friend? Stop someplace nice for coffee and a turtle handover?

 

[Markw84]

@Yvonne G We are talking about a musk turtle. Not something I am really excited about, but something that I would easily add to my group - so no enthusiasm for 6 hrs in the car EXCEPT I would love to meet you and see your collection. If your friend wants the turtle, or anyone else, go right ahead and give it to them. I will be driving to Huntington Beach to visit my daughter in the next 30 days or so. When I do, if you still have it, perhaps Brenda and I can stop by on our way back. I will let you know when I know when that will be. If you still have the musk, I will gladly take it, but don't hold it on my account.

 

[Yvonne G]

Please don't let us guilt you into it. I was only kidding. I've got a home for the turtle.

 

[BrianWI]

I keep both Stinkpots and Razorback Musks in my pond with sliders, cooter, maps, etc. I've kept them in tanks with sliders, cooters too. They do great together except the reverse of what you suspect = In a small environment the Stinkpot are the tail biters! They will nip the tips of other turtle's tails. In a pond they would do great.

My money is on the stinkpot, too!

I used to live near a dam on a small river. There were dead fish that would come thru and at night, big snappers would be there eating them. Among these 20-40 lb brutes would be a few stinkpots eating as well. The big guys didn't phase em.