Looking for help........

[Vengeance]

Ok, my parents bought me this turtle when I was 10 years old, we thought it was called a Golden Egale Turtle. I have since grown up and almost forgoten that the poor guy existed. I have recently aquired a Ball python and have been learning about the neglect of numrous animals such as turtles and it made me think that mabye that Golden egale turtle isn't being cared for properly. I think I may have found out was he was, I think he is a Keeled Turtle. So now I want to rescue this thing from my parents. I'll post a picture of the horible condition this little guy is in, but please before you start flameing, I am trying to do something about it and I'm looking for some help in the process.

http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/500/3606keele-med.jpg

I've found the following care sheets.

http://www.centralpets.com/pages/critterpages/reptiles/turtles/TUR4991.shtml

http://www.maturtlerescue.org/mouhotii.htm

And am going to setup a cage to the specifications provided in them, put what I need to know is the best way to clean him up. His shell is full of Alge and I have no clue what I can use on him to clean him up. Any help would be appricated.

[icex19]

That appears to be a Black Breasted Leaf turtle Geoemyda spengleri

It seems to be in pretty rough shape, and in the wrong sort of habitat. I'm going to give you some links to care:

http://www.chelonia.org/Articles/Gspenglericare.htm <--Very reputable

http://www.turtlepuddle.org/exotics/spengleri.html

http://www.asianturtle.org/spengler.htm

[Turtle Matt]

I know of a guy that has a group of these guys... If you can talk your parents into giving it up, I can contact him and you can add it to his group if you like...IceX is right on the species as well..
Matt

[Vengeance]

Yea that does look more like the one they have. Care seems to be similar to the keeled turtle as well so that is good. I have a spare 20 gallon tank at home. Going to clean it up and hopefully have everything setup by tommorow. It won't be perfect but it will be better then he has now. Going to start of by getting some cyprus bark, a few hides, 100W Full spectrum white light, and a pool to soak in. That should get me going, potted plants seem like a good idea but that may be in a week or so, will also have to get a plexi glass lid to keep the hummidity up.

[Vengeance]

TurtleMatt

I was going to rescue the guy myself, I'd like to keep him, I have no problem taking care of the guy but thatnks for the offer. Does your friend post on these boards? I'd like to find out the best way to clean the guys shell.

[icex19]

Use a soft toothbrush with a very diluted salt solution. It should take it off, just try not to get any on the skin if you can help it.

[Vengeance]

Ok here is what the intial cage for this little guy will be in for now on.

http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/500/3606cage2-med.JPG

http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/500/3606cage1-med.JPG

Now on the right of that drift wood there will be a water pool in a tupperware container for him to drink / soak. Also I will be adding a plant. The only thing I'm having a problem with is what to cover it with. I was thinking a glass lid because of the high hummidity requirments but if I put the basking lamp dirrectly on the glass it will crack the glass. I could elevate it but I don't feel like hanging another light from the cealing. If I have to I will, can anyone offer any other suggestions?

[Dani33]

I originally put my wood turtle in a tank. She was constantly trying to climb the walls. I guess because she can see out, she wanted out. I put her in a 109 litre rubbermaid. UV suspended against the side and a heat lamb clamped to one end. I cut 1/4 of the lid off to accomodate the heat lamp. The rest is covered and holds the humidity well enough. Still have to spray daily, but it's no big deal. Just a suggestion.

[Delirium]

From the lady of the lair so to speak, there will be no animals living in friggin' rubbermaids in my house. Its a good suggestion and appreciated but its not an option for us.

*is excited about Hootie coming home*

*hopes the name Hootie sticks*

Originally, he was going to go in the bathroom beside Mr. Fish so they could be Hootie and the Goldfish but he's got a good spot now in the living room so no go :(. Still, gotta love the name Hootie since he looks like an owl.

Dee

[Dani33]

Maybe you can have a piece of acrylic or glass cut to fit and partailly cover the screen? This may hold in some humidity.

I forgot to add that I prefer display set ups as well. It's just that this set up seems to work best for my animal. Keeping stress to a minimum is very important to me. This summer I am going to build custom enclosures for my animals. Something that is a little more visually appealling

Congrat on getting him home. I am sure that he will live a much happier life considering the research you are putting in. Keep us updated.

[Vengeance]

I'm having a piece of glass cut to fit the on top of the tank.

[Dani33]

Make sure that there is some space for ventilation. Good luck!

[Vengeance]

Thanks for the help, I was wondering about that, with such high hummidity requirments is a good air circulation needed?

At this point considering his previous living conditions, anything is better then what he was in before. First thing I'm going to do when I get him is take a tooth brush and try and scrub his shell clean of all that alge, that stuff can't be good for his shell.

[daver676]

I'd love to see some pics posted for a size comparision. How big is that guy? Also, I'd love to see some pics once his shell is clean. Looks like a cute turtle. Good Luck, and congrats on the rescue.

[Dani33]

I'm not 100% sure. I feel that with some of the top open would give enough. I also take my guy out for soaks and in the summer will have an outdoor pen. My wood turtle come from moist wood lands and often hides under soil and forest floor litter. I am thinking that there wouldn't be tonnes of ventilation there. I just wouldn't want him to not have any.

Research where your turtle lives in the wild and use that as basis for his environment.

Oh yea, hootie is a cute name.

Yea, pics would be nice too. I'd like to see him when he's all settled in and cleaned up. He has such a cute little face:)

[Delirium]

Outdoor play areas are not an option for us right now since were in an apartment for the next 2-3 years. Of course, if needed we could set something up in the house. I've been looking for a way to do that for my hamster as well, just haven't found the right stuff yet.

Dee

[Vengeance]

Well here is the final result of the cage setup.

http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/500/3606Finished_cage2-med.JPG

http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/500/3606Finished_cage1-med.JPG

The little guy is on his way here as I write this, as soon as he gets here I'll take some more photos of him. Before and after shots of cleaning and size comparisons as well.

One question I have is, what is too hot for the ambiant air temps? I read something that anything about 80oF is too hot? I have a lamp setup as you can see in the pic, its 150W bulb hooked up to a rehostat so I can controll it's strength. But I just wanted to make sure it doesn't get too hot in there.

[Dani33]

Maybe place the lamp to one side of the enclosure so that there is a temp gradient. It looks great other wise! I can't wait to see pics of him!

[Vengeance]

Ok here are some initial pics.

Size comparison

http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/500/3606Size_compare1-med.JPG

As you can see his shell is completely covered in algae and I don't know if you can see from the picks there a couple of areas on his shell where it looks like there are divots almost like his shell is eroding away. I'm kinda concerned about them, and am thinking about a Vet trip to have him looked at. I started scrubbing his back with a tooth brush, I didn't use salt because of how covered his shell is and there was no way I was going to not get the salt solution on his skin. After about 20 mins of scrubbing his shell looked a little better, but I could tell he was getting a little stressed out. So I put him in his new home and as a house warming gift I had picked up some meal worms on my way home. He went right after them!

http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/500/3606eating2-med.JPG

http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/500/3606eating1-med.JPG

As soon as he is done with that meal I'm going to try some fruit see if he is up for that.

Can anyone suggest a cleaning solution that won’t irritate hooties skin when I clean his shell, I fear that water and elbow grease just won't get the job done. Also I don't want to but rubbing salt in those divots on his shell if they are going to irritate him.

[Dani33]

OMG, he is so tiny! Congrats to Hootie and his new home. He has such a cute little face! Sorry, I don't know what you can use for his shell. He looks happy anyhow! Hmmm, mealies.