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 What kind of Turtle?

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dirtydawg10
Global Moderator
dirtydawg10


Male Posts : 3098

Age : 52
Location : Connecticut
Favorite Fish : Severum

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PostSubject: What kind of Turtle?   What kind of Turtle? EmptySun May 01, 2011 1:30 pm

I was out fishing today and saw what looked like an empty turtle shell on the bottom of a little brook that fed into the pond I was fishing. I picked it up with my kayak paddle and it turns out there was an inhabitant of the shell. This was the coolest little turtle I've ever seen. He/she kept poking its head out enough to look at me with one eye...lol...finally I got it to stick its whole head out so I could get a good look at it. I've seen hundreds if not thousands of painted turtles in my fishing career but never one of these. I was just wondering what it was. I was tempted to take it home because it was so cool but I ended up putting it back in the brook. Here's a few pics.

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Wyomingite
Fish Wrangler
Wyomingite


Male Posts : 1781

Age : 56
Location : Wonderful Windy Wyoming
Humor : "I drank what?" - Socrates
Favorite Fish : I won't choose and ya can't make me!

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PostSubject: Re: What kind of Turtle?   What kind of Turtle? EmptySun May 01, 2011 3:10 pm

Musk turtle, maybe. saint would hafta verify for sure.
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dirtydawg10
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dirtydawg10


Male Posts : 3098

Age : 52
Location : Connecticut
Favorite Fish : Severum

What kind of Turtle? Empty
PostSubject: Re: What kind of Turtle?   What kind of Turtle? EmptySun May 01, 2011 9:10 pm

Yup, you're right. Definitely a musk turtle. Before I posted this I looked on wikipedia and saw the shell with ridges and figured that couldn't be it. But looking further on other sites it says the shell is smooth like the one I found.
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saint_felony
The Turtle Whisperer
saint_felony


Posts : 1930


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PostSubject: Re: What kind of Turtle?   What kind of Turtle? EmptyMon May 02, 2011 1:31 am

You're getting good at these Wyite. Smile

He may be little, but for his kind that was one massive male you found, D.

The pic on wikipedia is accurate, it's just a baby. Babies start out more ridged, and as they get older they smooth and round out. As far as musk turtles I've kept, they're some of the friendliest and nicest ones.
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dirtydawg10
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dirtydawg10


Male Posts : 3098

Age : 52
Location : Connecticut
Favorite Fish : Severum

What kind of Turtle? Empty
PostSubject: Re: What kind of Turtle?   What kind of Turtle? EmptyMon May 02, 2011 9:47 am

Cool...thanks for the additional info SF. If I ever get one that would be the type. I just like the looks of it and the character so much better than the painted turtles. The pond I was in is a very healthy widlife management system which is why I assume he was so big. I never noticed any type of smell from it. Would I have noticed it if it had "musked" me (lol not sure what it's called)

For future reference...What size tank would I need for one? Are there issues with keeping wild caught turtles?
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saint_felony
The Turtle Whisperer
saint_felony


Posts : 1930


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PostSubject: Re: What kind of Turtle?   What kind of Turtle? EmptyMon May 02, 2011 5:20 pm

It could be I'm just used to it, but I can't say I ever remember thinking they were stinky. Certainly not stinky enough to warrant the stinkpot name anyhow. Good bunch of people never had to smell a big pissed off snapping turtle I tell you.. Smile

For mine, I use 2x3 concrete mixing tubs. They're made by MacCourt and are 12 bucks at Lowes. If you want to use a tank, the smallest I would use would be a 20 Long or a 29, or any other size that's at least 30 inches long. They don't need to be kept that deep, so depth isn't a big concern.

Add enough water that they can walk around on the bottom and stick their head out. A basking spot, with a 40 or 60w bulb, tho you'll rarely see them bask, and a uvb light, instead of a regular florescent and you're set. They'll take pellets just fine and will make short work of any live plants while clogging the hell out of your filter. Smile
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dirtydawg10
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dirtydawg10


Male Posts : 3098

Age : 52
Location : Connecticut
Favorite Fish : Severum

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PostSubject: Re: What kind of Turtle?   What kind of Turtle? EmptyMon May 02, 2011 8:15 pm

Cool! Sounds like a fun future project that my kids might like and I do have an empty 20L...hmmmmm?!?
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saint_felony
The Turtle Whisperer
saint_felony


Posts : 1930


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PostSubject: Re: What kind of Turtle?   What kind of Turtle? EmptyTue May 03, 2011 12:48 am

I just noticed, you asked about any potential issues, and outside of obvious wounds/injuries the only big potential problem would be worms. Aquatics are usually more prone to funky protozoans than actual worms though.

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Mostlycichlids
Cichlid Specialist
Mostlycichlids


Male Posts : 4566

Age : 44
Location : New Mexico USA
Favorite Fish : Jaguar Cichlid

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PostSubject: Re: What kind of Turtle?   What kind of Turtle? EmptyTue May 03, 2011 3:19 pm

Cool, dawg, now you might just have to go hunt it back down!
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dirtydawg10
Global Moderator
dirtydawg10


Male Posts : 3098

Age : 52
Location : Connecticut
Favorite Fish : Severum

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PostSubject: Re: What kind of Turtle?   What kind of Turtle? EmptyTue May 03, 2011 7:13 pm

lol...maybe.

Thanks again SF.
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dirtydawg10
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dirtydawg10


Male Posts : 3098

Age : 52
Location : Connecticut
Favorite Fish : Severum

What kind of Turtle? Empty
PostSubject: Re: What kind of Turtle?   What kind of Turtle? EmptyThu May 05, 2011 9:49 am

Just found this on my local DEP website...

"The life expectancy of the musk turtle is 40 to 60 years of age."

I'll be dead before my pet?!? I may have to rethink this one.
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saint_felony
The Turtle Whisperer
saint_felony


Posts : 1930


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PostSubject: Re: What kind of Turtle?   What kind of Turtle? EmptyThu May 05, 2011 12:07 pm

Nah, you just need to will it to the kids. Smile
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