Good news about my 3-striped mud!

Well, today I found 4 2.5" and very thin earthworms (I do not spray my lawn at all, nor do anyone else around me). I dropped the first one in and he didn't notice it till the worm moved. After it moved, the mud went crazy! It tore that thing apart! I dropped another in and then another. Until I had the last of the four in my hand. I dangled it in with my fingers and the mud actually came to my hand and ate the worm! Right from my fingers! After seeing the mess it made, I think I will go out and get a small filter today. It left some dirt in the water and I would like to have it look perfectly clean. Plus the current might make it a little bit better for the mud seeing as how I found it in a moving river.

I so happy he ate on the first try!!

[Tim and Julie B]

Please be careful of water depth though. I only house hatchlings in 1 1/2 inches of water. They are not strong swimmers yet. Even though you found him in the river they useually stay near the shore. I don't have a filter on my muds I just do water changes every couple of days. The current does help them grow but wait for a little growth first . If you do use a filter point it against something or else the little guy is going to be doing donuts. If you do decide to increase water depth for a filter use some fake aquarium plants. So they have something to cling to and so they can hide. You will be amazed at how friendly they can be. Mine actually come swimming over when I come in the room. You will totally enjoy having a turtle.-Tim

the water is very shallow. It can easily breath. I made a little cave under the basking area for him. There is no way he can get stuck, so it's a great place to retreat to when he is scared. I love this little guy already!

P.S. Exactly how much should this little one eat? Would the 4 earthworms be enough? He seemed to eat them pretty fast!

[Tim and Julie B]

Turtles are garbage cans. They can pretty much eat all of the time. But you can over feed. I try to either feed a small amount every day or feed every couple of days. Those worms should be good for a daily feeding but do get some commercial food. It has lots of protien and various vitamins and minerals. It is funny seeing a newbie turtle trying to figure out a cricket. At first they are scared by the movement. Then they get curious and then they decide it looks good to eat and chase it down. It is very funny.

Thanks for all the help. I plan on picking up some Reptomin tonight or tomorrow. Oh, BTW, I used to have a Yellow Mud