Here are some recent photos of a trio of red-cheek mud turtles I've been raising.
First, last year...
Then last week...this is male #1
Plastron...
This is my #2 male. Also a really nice looking little guy...
Plastron...
Another head shot...
The two males consuming some krill in the kitchen sink. This is a great way to avoid fouling their aquarium water as when finished eating, they often defecate too. Of course, one needs to sterilize their sink afterwards!
Krill is high in beta carotids which helps birds, fish and even turtles maintain their red or pink pigments while in captivity. However I limit krill feeding to about twice a month for juveniles and after they're adults almost never.
This is the female of that reverse trio...
This is her plastron. In my experience females tend to have much less pigment on their plastrons than the males do.
This is my 6 year old female---who's waiting for the two males to become mature!
First, last year...
Then last week...this is male #1
Plastron...
This is my #2 male. Also a really nice looking little guy...
Plastron...
Another head shot...
The two males consuming some krill in the kitchen sink. This is a great way to avoid fouling their aquarium water as when finished eating, they often defecate too. Of course, one needs to sterilize their sink afterwards!
Krill is high in beta carotids which helps birds, fish and even turtles maintain their red or pink pigments while in captivity. However I limit krill feeding to about twice a month for juveniles and after they're adults almost never.
This is the female of that reverse trio...
This is her plastron. In my experience females tend to have much less pigment on their plastrons than the males do.
This is my 6 year old female---who's waiting for the two males to become mature!