Pileatas

[Todd Stockwell]

Todd Stockwell

September 7, 2001 at 11:30 pm #15583

I now have two adult female “Louisiana” dbts. The seller reported obtaining them from a Louisiana source over a year ago. They match the color picture on page 22 of Mara’s book and also the description and plate in Hay’s 1904 “Revision of Malaclemmys.” All-black shell with small knobs, dark gray skin, black triangle on top of head and black moustache. One has a little wider head than normal (although no match for Jonathan’s monster). So, I think I have two M. t. pileata. Anyone else besides Jonathan have pileatas or “southern” dbts? I’d like to find a Lousiana-sourced male if possible rather than mixing with my Texas males. I expect there will eventually be some more shrimper-caught dbts from New Orleans for sale, but I just wanted to know if anyone else is working with them? I hate to think of wild-caughts, but there doesn’t seem to be an established group of captive bred pileatas yet. Hay in 1904 seemed to think pileata was more similar to macrospilota and intergraded with macros in Florida. So maybe that would be a better mix if I can’t find a Louisiana male? Todd in Texas

[Macrospilota]

Macrospilota

September 8, 2001 at 12:09 am #15585

I have seen integration of Macros and pileata west of Panama City, FL. In the bay at panama you can find integrades and appearently true macros. They are scarce to say the least there. I am with rick on the lighting. I have run UV sterilizers for 3 years now without problems. No algae, but I also have plecostomas. I would like to caution those that might use hydrogen peroxide in any way with turtles. It bleaches the algae and can make a healthy turtle sick if exposed to too much. I have used it in LOCAL treatment of wounds with success; BUT I have lost a softshell and a hatchling painted soon after application to an extensive area. These turtles were weakened by infection but I would not recommend removing algae from a carapace using H2O2. Alex does it the way I do with a toothbrush as necessary. This also removes fungus. Just use an old tooth brush and not your spouse’s, or this could have adverse reactions. BBM

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