a couple of questions from a new mom….
- This topic has 2 replies, 1 voice, and was last updated 17 years, 8 months ago by
.
-
Posts
-
our not-so-little-anymore dbt is now 3 1/4 in. (1 in. when we found him in the Bay) and very happy in a 30 gal. freshwater tank w/several species tropical fish. I am new to all this and several questions are on my mind. 1)what about winter coming and hibernation? is hibernation necessary? 2)at some point do I have to go from fresh water to brackish? and most importantly, 3) Would the best thing (for the turtle) be to release him into the wild, maybe in the Spring? i.e., would keeping him be a selfish thing to do? Thanks for all replies, Kathleen
Hi Kathleen,Hibernation is not necessary if you are not going to breed him. As long as you keep the water temperature at the normal level he will not go into hibernation.The brackish water question isn’t a straightforward answer. The simplest way I can answer it is, as long as the water is kept really clean and the terrapin doesn’t develop shell issue he can be kept in fresh water. Most of the experanced DBT breeders keep them in fresh.Lastle do to the fact that he has been exposed to captivity it might be best to keep him. Captive raised hatchling can adapt toe the wild but the concern is their impact on the wild population. It is possible they intorduce a new kind of batiera or illness. You will need to get a larger tank before to longThanks Jonathan HelmsFrom: zacjambra
Kathleen, I don’t think keeping your dbt would be a selfish thing to do. I have had Asbury now for about 6 years. He was the size if a quarter when I found him in the middle of Asbury Ave in Ocean City NJ. He has been in a 30 gal. freshwater tank (no fish. I tried goldfish but he ate them). He does not hibernate, as the water is kept about 70-75 degrees all year. I don’t think he would survive if I released him. He is so imprinted on me all he wants is to be held. He will sit in my lap for hours at a time, not going anywhere. We will sit and watch football or baseball games. He likes his head and neck to be rubbed and sometimes falls asleep. He plays (chases) our Chocolate Lab around the house when I let him out while I clean his tank. Having been hand fed for years I don’t know if he would forage for himself. So, If you have spoiled your dbt like I have mine, then I think releasing him into the wild would actually not be doing him a favor. Best of luck!! Buzzzacjambra
- The forum ‘Diamondback Terrapins’ is closed to new topics and replies.