Soft Shell Keepers

[Colonel SB]

I just wanted to know how many of you out there have soft shelled turtles. I have a pair of Florida's.

[Tim and Julie B]

I have always wanted them but still haven't gotten any. Are they easy to care for? Is there any specific husbandry needs for softies?

[Colonel SB]

They are typically thought of as hard to keep but it's not the case, they just arn't as hardy as a RES so they won't last long under sub-optimal conditions. If you give them the rigth conditions they will thrive the big thing with softies is water quality so a good filter is a must. They spend the majoirty of thier time in the water and very little if any basking. Also a veried diet is a big help, mine get pellets, mice, crickets, meal worms, fish anything they will take. I don't know if they need it but my pair has a florescent light for the uv. Right now the carapace lenght on them is 6 inches.

[red bootz]

They're great little turts, huh? I've never had one but I've always thought they were so cool. Like pancakes gliding through the water. Pack quite the punch too. I got bitten by a little baby spiny once and the darn thing wouldn't let go for the longest time.
By the way there's no turtle forum here, huh? I guess there's not much support?

[Turtle Matt]

I have a nice big pair of floridas,a 3" florida,1.1 3" chinese and a 6" male western spiny.How big are your floridas?

Matt

[Colonel SB]

mine are only 6 inches.