Their 35 gallon tank is not big enough, and we will be creating one of those “deep ponds” in what used to be our living room, but slowly over time, has now been affectionately known as the “animal room”. While we gently explained this to them, we have the feeling they want it NOW – if their continued attempts at jumping out of their existing home is any indication.
They have a tendency to work together, but only for so long. They will each pile on top of each other like stack cordwood – until the top one decides an escape could be made and attempts to leap off the backs and hits the tank top and of course tumbles everyone else down. The diving and snapping at each other becomes audible when the littlest starts his hissing (Scratch) because he got sat on by Ick (the oldest and biggest). Uthaga (for Other Guy) and Energizer (he does NOT stop) round off the four. No, I did not have anything to do with naming these creatures – that honour goes directly to my son, Justin. Ick is part of the original couple (she’s female) that he called Ick and Psy – so that if anyone asked him about his turtles he replied they were Psy Ick (psychic). Hey – go read his own topic at: All Reptiles Great and Small
Well, four larger turtles in a tank makes for messy water – no matter how much stress coat and aquafresh is used. So the tank once again had to have a complete scrub down – and we decided to get rid of the smaller stones while only keeping a quick spattering of them so the turtles would not get upset. At least the theory worked.
Ick stayed by herself in a sink with some of her own water (remember folks, tap water is chlorinated and not good just like that for any water creature), with her buddies in a small tank beside her. They were not amused. Their reaction was mild though compared to their re-introduction into a clean environment.
Their antics were clear for all; there was no cloudy/murky area to hide in and then jump out at us as we looked for them. We saw them as they tried to scare us by bumping into the glass (a favourite game of theirs). Without the small pebbles to help in their construction modes, they were reduced to moving plants and large rocks – BUT they found out quickly that by moving the large rocks they lost their sunning area and “out of water” area. So, kicking the rocks into the water did not help them for their remodelling, and we had to patiently watch them for about two hours, piling the rocks back up every half hour to ensure the turtles had a resting place/sunning place.
Go To Page: 1 2
| Here's the follow-up discussion on this article: | View all related messages |
For a complete listing of article comments, questions, and other discussions related to Paym Bergson's Lizards, Turtles & Snakes topic, please visit the Discussions page.