AtlsShrggd

Hello Turtie Babies!!

*********************************************************************************************************************************************** UPDATE for the curious: The turtles are red-eared sliders. When I got them over a year ago they each weighed about 1/3 to 1/2 ounce. The boys have a more oval (rather than round) shell, longer claws, and skinnier tails. I think Phoebe, Spike, Turbo, and Squirt are girls. Ranger, Butch, and Lula seem to be boys. It's still too early to tell for sure, but I am positive about Ranger. He's just too sexy. They eat Mazuri Turtle food. For treats they get mealworms, dried freshwater shrimp, and fresh salmon every time I get some. I have a full-spectrum daylight lamp and a heating lamp for their basking. They need the daylight simulation so their bodies can metabolize calcium and keep their shells strong and healthy. Since turtles are cold-blooded reptiles, they need the heat lamp to regulate their body temperature. The lights are on a timer and come on at 7:30am and go off at 10pm (central time). In the fall and winter they have a tank-heater; the water temperature stays around 74-76 degrees (F). Ask more questions any time and be sure to sign the turtles guest book. (it's the icon between the magnifying glass and the scissors.) Vote for the babies once a day and keep them on the 'most popular' list of webcams! ***************************************************************************************************************************************************** UPDATE OCTOBER 2005: The turtles are over a year old now. I learned a few months ago that I've been over-feeding the little fatties so now they're only fed once a day and they get treats about once a week. Soon, we'll go to every other day; they're gonna hate me! Spike is the biggest, just under 12 ounces and Turbo is the smallest at almost 3 ounces. Ranger is the sexiest (definitely male) and does the "sex dance" at anything that moves. The "sex dance" consists of his arms in front of his face and wiggling the arms as fast as he can in front of another's face. No one seems interested in the least. Poor sexy Ranger *sigh*. Maybe he'll get some attention in a couple of years. All the snails have been eaten and I'm glad. They were laying eggs all over the place and making a big mess. Snail eggs are nasty and taste bad; the turtles won't eat the eggs. We've gone through several goldfish. Whenever I buy them a batch, all the slow ones get eaten in a day or two. Then the survivors grow fat and happy until they get too big to eat. There are at least 4 fat goldfishes now and I suspect I may have to kill the little bastards myself. Hope you're enjoying the turtles as much as I do *smile* *********************************************************************************************************************************************** FEBRUARY 2005: Feeding time is around 6:30 - 7:30A and again at 6:00 - 7:00P. Cleaning day is usually Saturday. Can you spot the fish and the snails in the tank? The snails are bright yellow and could be anywhere; the fish are orange and can be seen on the far side of the flat rock sometimes (unless the turtles eat them, then I have to get more!) I have a new snail named 'Atlas' and he's GI-normous! I've moved the yellow snails over to the betta's tank for a visit. Only 2 fish left now: 'Breakfast' (orange) and 'Snack' (light gold). If the screen is dark, then the babies are sleeping (Shhhhh!)