Re: here's a post fredhammes; really fat E.painteds

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Posted by fredhammes on January 01, 2003 at 17:19:27:

In Reply to: here's a post fredhammes; really fat E.painteds posted by checker on January 01, 2003 at 11:31:15:

Well, I'm not, by any means, an expert on painted turtles. I just happened to take one in as a rescue. So, I have however, done quite a bit of reasaerch on them. I've gotten a lot of contradictory info, so I've done my best to sort out the good from the bs.
I've been told it's best to feed a diet of no more than 20% commercial turle food. (Reptomin) 50% to 70% of the diet should consist of vegtable matter. And 20% to 35% non-vegtable.(snails, gold fish, beefheart, etc.)
It sounds like you have some healthy little babies, who love to eat. In my opinion, this is better than sickly ones who won't eat. However, I also understand that obesity can be a serious problem in turts, so keeping them healthy is also an important concern. Fat rolls on legs is certainly not a good sign.
It's also been sugested that lack of excercize is also a cause, not simply overfeeding. Once they have come to recognize you as a food source and look forward to you, (which they obviously have!) to make them work for it. Offer food on tongs, and make 'em chase it down, just like they would in the wild!
Personaly, I don't like to see critters going hungry, and if they beg for food, I want to feed them! Doesn't matter what kind of critter they are! However, I do understnd that overfeeding is NOT in everybody's best intrest. A little "tough love" is needed sometimes, I guess. I have a dog who can eat all day and stays skinny as a rail, while the oter poor dog is on a constant dirt. Dog two thinks this is no fair, and I feel like a jerk when he complains, but lovig a criier means giving them what's best, not always what they want. "Tug at my heartstrings all you want, you don't get no more food."
I'd try changing their diet to include more vegtables/fruits. More exercize, and, possibly a supplement.
Let us know how they're doing, and enjoy your little babies.
Sorry this post is so long. Here is a site I've found with some pretty good info on changing little turt's diets.

http://petturtle.htmlplanet.com/turtleaid_sdrm_obesity.html

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Re: here's a post fredhammes; really fat E.painteds bloomindaedalus 01/02/03 (6)
- Re: the fish thing checker 01/03/03 (5)
  - Re: the fish thing fredhammes 01/03/03 (4)
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      - Re: the fish thing Linda G 01/04/03 (2)
        
        Re: the fish thing checker 01/05/03 (1)
        
        Re: the fish thing K1LOS 01/12/03 (0)