musk turtles, what do you know?

tamsintd · 10-01-2009, 08:20 PM

i saw some today, but don't know anything about them.

They were in a fish tank with tropical fish, and i was told they are fine in a normal tank, and they eat bloodworm and pellets.....the place in question is not very reliable when it comes to advice for keeping/feeding some of their stock!

does anyone know anything about these little creatures?

**egyptiandan64** · 10-01-2009, 08:59 PM

They are fine in a normal tank, as long as the fish are fast Tammy

They will most definately eat fish if they can catch them.
They don't get very big, depends on the species but 3 to 6 inches. They aren't great swimmers so need something to climb up from the bottom on to get air. They don't bask often. They usually will eat pellets and of course plenty of animal matter. Usually very easy to keep and long lived.

Danny

Geomyda · 10-01-2009, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tamsintd

i saw some today, but don't know anything about them.

They were in a fish tank with tropical fish, and i was told they are fine in a normal tank, and they eat bloodworm and pellets.....the place in question is not very reliable when it comes to advice for keeping/feeding some of their stock!

does anyone know anything about these little creatures?

There is a care sheet on: http://www.terrapintank.co.uk/forum/...hp?f=34&t=2185

Wyrd · 05-04-2009, 06:18 PM

Can musk turtles survive outside in the summer months?

Geomyda · 05-04-2009, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wyrd

Can musk turtles survive outside in the summer months?

Common Musk ( Sternotherus/Kinosternon odoratum). No problem at all, in fact properly aclimitised, adults of this species can survive all year in suitable pond here in the UK.
Mine have thrived for years in a pond enclosure in my garden here in South east England.

Wyrd · 06-04-2009, 10:28 AM

Thank you!

How would you go about acclimatisation?

I was thinking a temporary house in the conservatory with a heater, with the door open occasionally, then heater removed, then short spells outside, then longer outside, then leave outside?
All over about 3-4 weeks?

Geomyda · 06-04-2009, 10:35 AM

Just put it in a tank in the conservatory and to be honest, if the spring weather continues like this, it can go out after just a few days. Do not bother with an aquarium heater. You will know doubt see a reduction in its feeding, for a few weeks, but this is not generally a problem. As air and water temp rises, during the course of the next few weeks, it will start feeding normally, and if you can provide aquatic inverts, like pond snails, water insects and crustacaens, it will love hunting them down.

Wyrd · 06-04-2009, 11:53 AM

Brilliant! Thank you so much for your help

Just need to get everything set up now and then find one

kate w.j · 13-10-2009, 02:05 PM

i recently have bought 2 musk turtles and it is simple to feed them blood worms you can get them frozen in cubes and you only have to defrost them and pour them in.

Geomyda · 13-10-2009, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kate w.j

i recently have bought 2 musk turtles and it is simple to feed them blood worms you can get them frozen in cubes and you only have to defrost them and pour them in.

This is fine as part of a varied diet!! They should be offerred other food items, such as live inverts, good quality pellets and other frozen fish foods.
I am sure you apprciate that no one single food provides all their requirements. Live food, not only provides essential nutrients, it also helps with behaviour enrichment.

10-01-2009, 08:20 PM	#1
tamsintd Member Hatched Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Hampshire Posts: 446	musk turtles, what do you know? i saw some today, but don't know anything about them. They were in a fish tank with tropical fish, and i was told they are fine in a normal tank, and they eat bloodworm and pellets.....the place in question is not very reliable when it comes to advice for keeping/feeding some of their stock! does anyone know anything about these little creatures? __________________ Tammy x

10-01-2009, 08:59 PM	#2
egyptiandan64 Super Moderator Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: USA Posts: 14,171	They are fine in a normal tank, as long as the fish are fast Tammy They will most definately eat fish if they can catch them. They don't get very big, depends on the species but 3 to 6 inches. They aren't great swimmers so need something to climb up from the bottom on to get air. They don't bask often. They usually will eat pellets and of course plenty of animal matter. Usually very easy to keep and long lived. Danny __________________

05-04-2009, 06:18 PM	#4
Wyrd Member Egg Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 86	Can musk turtles survive outside in the summer months?

06-04-2009, 10:28 AM	#6
Wyrd Member Egg Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 86	Thank you! How would you go about acclimatisation? I was thinking a temporary house in the conservatory with a heater, with the door open occasionally, then heater removed, then short spells outside, then longer outside, then leave outside? All over about 3-4 weeks?

06-04-2009, 10:35 AM	#7
Geomyda Senior Member Adult Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Surrey Posts: 2,094	Just put it in a tank in the conservatory and to be honest, if the spring weather continues like this, it can go out after just a few days. Do not bother with an aquarium heater. You will know doubt see a reduction in its feeding, for a few weeks, but this is not generally a problem. As air and water temp rises, during the course of the next few weeks, it will start feeding normally, and if you can provide aquatic inverts, like pond snails, water insects and crustacaens, it will love hunting them down.

06-04-2009, 11:53 AM	#8
Wyrd Member Egg Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 86	Brilliant! Thank you so much for your help Just need to get everything set up now and then find one

13-10-2009, 02:05 PM	#9
kate w.j Member Egg Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: england Posts: 86	i recently have bought 2 musk turtles and it is simple to feed them blood worms you can get them frozen in cubes and you only have to defrost them and pour them in.

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