Map turtle help - info wanted please :)

clairelou · #1 (**permalink**) 01-10-2009, 05:11 PM

Hi, I have just purchased a Mississippi Map Turtle. Im unsure of the gender at the moment as it is still very small.
The place where i bought it from seemed to be giving me good information about how i should look after it however after speaking to other people im not sure if the info was correct and, im confused as to how to correctly look after it.

They advised me on a tank and filter (which i purchased) and also advised that i would need a uv lamp, they told me he would be fine to be kept in cold water and to have an elevated rockery area for it to climb onto to get under the uv lamp. They told me i would be fine to handle him - and that he should have a diet of frozen blood worms every other day??

I visited another place today to purchase a uv lamp and he has advised me somthing completely different.
He said

a) it should have a uv lamp, and a heat lamp on for at least 12 hours a day
b) the water temperature must be between 24 - 27 degrees and that he his basking area should be betweeen 31- 34 degrees (heated by the lamp)
c) i shouldnt feed it blood worms i should feed it pellets
d) do not handle it as it is not good for it

Im really confused now as to how his tank should be set up - and how to correclty care for him.
I'd really appreciate any info you could give me.

Claire

bobbarber · #2 (**permalink**) 01-10-2009, 11:51 PM

Hello Claire, and a warm welcome to WAB. Have you tried googling ``Mississippi map turtle care``, there is a mass of information there on tank size, water temperature, feeding, heating, filters etc. I hope this is of some help to you...Bob

NJP87 · #3 (**permalink**) 02-10-2009, 01:21 PM

I've not kept this species myself but the second shop has given you better infomation.

You will need a basking temperature of about 90F with the rest of the tank around 70F and UV for 12 hours
Water temperature sounds ok
Bloodworms are generally not good because they can have all sorts of parasites in them, you should be feeding crickets, mealworms, waxworms and dried food.
They are not really a handling pet, they will get stressed and can give a tasty bite.