What kind of Turtle?

Subject: What kind of Turtle? Sun 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.

What kind of Turtle? Dscf0001rp

Subject: Re: What kind of Turtle? Sun May 01, 2011 3:10 pm

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

Subject: Re: What kind of Turtle? Sun 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.

The Turtle Whisperer Posts : 1930

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.

Subject: Re: What kind of Turtle? Mon 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?

The Turtle Whisperer Posts : 1930

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

Subject: Re: What kind of Turtle? Mon 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?!?

The Turtle Whisperer Posts : 1930

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.

Subject: Re: What kind of Turtle? Tue May 03, 2011 3:19 pm

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

Subject: Re: What kind of Turtle? Tue May 03, 2011 7:13 pm

lol...maybe.

Thanks again SF.

Subject: Re: What kind of Turtle? Thu 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.

The Turtle Whisperer Posts : 1930

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

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What kind of Turtle?

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