yellow map turtles (info wanted please)

[debski2222]

hiya, ive just been given 2 yellow map turtles, ive bought them brand new equipment-tank, uv light etc... but can somebody either point me to a good website that can tell me about how to keep them or can someone tell me briefly on here about how i should put them in the tank ie what temp should water be, do i have to let water settle for a bit, just basic stuff
thanks for reading

[smileysnake]

Hi, hope this helps.

Firstly lets just establish what you've got. There is not a Yellow map turtle in my experience, but there are Yellow Bellied Turtles, and Mississippi Map Turtles too. The first has a virtually plain creamy yellow plastron (underside of the shell), and a flash either side of its head the same colour. The second has a large number of thin lines covering its head, and in younger examples will display dark peaks along the top of the carapace (top of the shell). In general it is has little to do with the care as both are American species, but Yellow Bellies get significantly larger in size.

The water needs to be heated, but don't use a glass aquarium heater - turtles are clumsy at best and can easily crack these. I recommend the use of a heat pad placed under the tank, ideally covering a third to half the bottom, and with a thin sheet of polystyrene under it and the tank.

Turtles as you will find out can be dirty, smelly pets so a good canister filter is a must. Get the largest you can afford - we use Fluval 3 and 4 filters. they can be laid on their sides if your water level is not high enough to immerse them.

Additional to the water being heated, the turtles need access to basking heat too. At some point in the tank create an island where the turtles can get fully out of the water. Above this mount a light bulb, 40-60w is ample, which will simulate the heat of the sun. Use of a UV tube is not fully necessary as the turtles don't absorb the uv light to aid vitamin d3 absorbtion.

These guys are carnivores, although some may take a little vegatable matter, so meat is the order of the day for their diet. Use prawns, sliced hams, dried turtle foods, plus small mice if you can. Don't use fatty meats like mince etc.

Drop me a line if you have any more questions.
Cheers
Scott

[m1.carson]

Wow,

If you feed your turtles on that lot, can I move in.

Max.