Red-eared Slider Body Parts

Transcript

Red-Eared Slider • • • • The Red-eared Slider (Trachemys scripta elegans) is a semi-aquatic terrapin. Terrapin is derived from an Indian word “torope” is a relative of turtle and tortoise which are egg laying reptiles. Stones/ Woods - used for basking area. Geosystem woods are ideal because they do not affect the water chemistry Plants (real and plastic) – provide food or shading. Water Filter - To keep the water quality clean. Spot Lamp - For the basking area. Terrapins are cold blooded animal. They rely on the environment to provide the warmth they need to survive. They need some source of lighting as this helps them prevent metabolic bone and shell diseases. Feeding Body Parts 1. Shell- the outer covering of a turtle. • Carapace- termed as the upper shell (38 scutes*) • Plastron- the lower shell that encases the belly (12-14 scutes*) **Scutes- a layer of keratin that covers the shell. (the same type of material that makes up the fingernails or horses hooves). 2. Head- blunt face, peripherally placed light green eyes with a horizontal or diagonal bar through the pupil and a short snout. Housing equipments • Tank/Aquarium - Holds water. Provide a dry area for basking and a wet area for swimming. 1 1. Commercial Food- Terrapins adapt very well eating formulated food. It is well balanced and available in all Pet Lovers Center 2. Natural food- cooked shrimp and fish can be given especially in captive terrapins. Live foods are enjoyed by young terrapins they are more carnivorous. Adult terrapins are more herbivorous or plant eaters. Handling 1. Only handle terrapins when necessary as they may scratch or bite. Similar to all live pets, washing of hands before and after handling is recommended to avoid spread of any diseases. 2 DIFFERENCE FEMALE OF MALE Body part Male Head Slightly smaller heads Front Much longer claws Tail Much longer Body Slightly smaller FROM Female Bulkier and larger heads Shorter Shorter Larger and much bulky Water 1. Frequency: change 25% of water every week. 2. Water filter should be cleaned and rinsed every week. Change the activated charcoal once every two weeks Change the filter sponge monthly 3. Water should be treated once a week with Nutrafin Turtle Cleaner. This will help in the reduction of waste and cage odor. 4. Aquarium should be cleaned thoroughly at least once a month. Do not use commercial detergents for cleaning. These chemicals are very poisonous to our Terrapins. Diet 1. They eat a variety of food from animal and plant materials to commercial turtle foods. Nutrafin Gammerus Pellets is a complete food formulated to meet the nutritional requirement of terrapin 3 2. Young terrapins are more meat eaters (live foods are particularly enjoyed) 3. Calcium supplements should be given at least three times a week. Calcium blocks are available for the prevention of shell softening. Nutrafin Turtle Conditioner is calcium-enriched block effective in shell hardening. Life Expectancy It is commonly kept as a pet. It can live for up to forty years. Signs of Sickness: 1. Swollen eyes. The turtle keeps there eyes closed. 2. Refusal to eat 3. Change from usual behavior 4. Abnormal breathing or sneezing 5. Discoloration or white spots in the shell. 6. Diarrhea How to prevent diseases? . Ensuring good quality of water, proper nutrition and lighting will prevent them from acquiring diseases. Our Hailer HL- BT200 is an appropriate internal filter for our terrapins. Common Diseases of Terrapins 1. Shell rot – soft whitish spot on the shell which are swollen and contain a foul smelling substance or an open wound Caused: Bacteria or fungus. High level of ammonia in the water 4 Insufficient water filtration. Insufficient lighting. 4 Treatment: Change the water Keep the turtle dry for at least 2 hours before returning back to the water Clean the turtle shell Disinfect the shell with a general antiseptic. Prevention: Maintain good water condition Maintain adequate lighting 2. Soft Shell – soft and deformed shell Caused: by improper diet (high protein, low in calcium) and improper lighting. Treatment: Feed a diet high Ca and low protein diet Nutrafin Gammerus Pellets is calcium enriched and filled with multivitamin including Vit D3 to ensure optimum growth health and disease resistance. Supplement food with vitamins Prolong lighting hours. Lighting of 1214 hours per day is recommended. Prevention: Balance diet supplemented with Vit C and Calcium Raise the water temperature to 26-29C Keep the basking light on. Clean the eyes. Prevention: Ensure water has been treated first before putting the terrapin in the aquarium. Nutrafin Turtle Cleaner, this will remove the chlorine to prevent irritation to the eye of the terrapin 4. Respiratory infection – swimming tilted to one side due to infected lungs. Runny nose. Bubbly mucus from the nostrils and or mouth. Refusal to eat. Raspy breathing. Swollen eyes. Excessive basking. Caused: Low temperature. Cold air on the basking area. Treatment/Prevention: Keep the water warm (an important factor that will allow your turtle to fight infection. PROPER WAY TO HANDLE TERRAPINS 3. Eye infection – eyes seem closed and swollen with mucoid discharge Caused: by dirty water or lack of vitamin A. Treatment: Give vitamin4A supplement Change the water more often 5 Updated 01/07/08 6 5