is it big enough ;-)

[shinakru]

TEXT hello, wow, this sites amazing! so i have 2 turtles one map one res, and they live in a 48" long tank, they are both 4 inches long do you think this is a big enough tank for them? and what is a maps favourite food?
scully

[Chez]

Welcome to GTT:r. The rule that most people follow is 10 gallons per inch of carapace (top shell) length. So with two 4 inch turtles, you should have a tank of 80 gallons or more. And remember that RES can get up to 12 inches in length or more.

Map turtles need more protien than other turtles like RES or painteds, so feeding them things like Reptomin is actually good for them. Reptomin or some other commercial food should make up 50% of its diet, and take a look at our feeding guide for more ideas of what to feed him. www.gttreloaded.com/gencare.html
[glow=blue,2,300]:Chez[/glow]

[shinakru]

thanks alot!
the other problem is, is that she (map turtle) wont eat any of the food a put in the tank, i tried crickets, worms, and even reptomin she wont eat them however, the res will eat anything! what a pig! but its good i dont have to worry about him, but the map will only eat, turkey ham, i know this bad for her, but its all she will eat. do you know how i can coax her to eat other foods especially reptomin

they both bask all the time when the lights on. but dive in when i walk in the room, so she aint ill is she? she looks very healthy, but all she eats is turkey ham, that all proberly confused you sorry. please help if you can.

[Chez]

That didn't confuse me at all . What did confuse me a little is the number of times that you registered, but that's besides the point. OK, let's tackle your problems.
First, how long have you had the map? It could just be adjusting to it's new enviornment. And you said they are both 4 inches, right? If they are, then there shouldn't be any competetion between the two of them over food. Next, is the water temp. right? Should be around 78-80F. Are you using UV lighting? If not, that's probably the problem. It stimulates the appetite, among other things.
I can't believe she didn't eat the crickets! Mine loooove them! And don't worry about them diving in when they see you; it's very common.
Try feeding your map Vitakraft Gammare, which are small shrimp that most turtles will kill for. Found at every major pet shop.
Hope I've helped you. Good luck!
[glow=blue,2,300]:Chez[/glow]

[shinakru]

ok thanks.
yeah I have got all that. i have had turltes for many years. these are my second batch to say,
cause I used to live in cyprus, but then i moved to england, so i had to give them away to a friend. I have a zoo-med basking lamp, I have a reptiglo 8.0, the water temp is at 78-80'c. I mean I have everything you need.
I bought them both at the same time 1 month ago. so I suppose it has taken the map, just more time to settle. But atleast she is eating the ham right?, (is it good 4 her??)
I think im just worrying too much! just have to give her time to adjust, cause I can tell she is still very scared. But the RES is fine he bask, swims all day, and eats everything (Loves the crickets) and isn't scared of me. So yeah i probs just gotta give her time, i just remembered when I got my first set of turtles, I got one a couple of months after the first and it took it a good month to adjust to its new environment and eat everything I put in their tank.
Thanks for the help. I'll give it time and hope she adjust soooon.
P.s sorry for the realy long message. thanks 4 the help.
scully. . .