We found a hatchling Western painted turtle a few days ago - no idea how he got to the doorstep since the closest water is several miles away, not to mention I read they aren't supposed to hatch until August?? Anyway, I am very sadly equipped for taking care of a turtle, I got him hatchling pellets which he is eating like a pig, he has also eaten two ghost shrimp now and killed a third but left it alone afterwards ( Ugh )
On to the actual question, a friend of mine has an 18 or 19 year old Western painted, he has no idea of the sex but has had it since it was a baby. Will the elder turtle be aggressive and or hurt the hatchling if we put them together? Does the answer to that question change depending on their sex?
Also- should I be feeding him as much as he wants or limiting him?? I have been putting in 5 or 6 pellets every few hours and he *devours* them :/
I'm not sure if you can tell the sex of a turtle when they are this young, but here are a couple shots of him in case you can! ( Plus he's adorable)
Any help is appreciated!
Ok- so apparently I cant link pictures? So I guess I can email them if anyone thinks they may be able to tell?
On to the actual question, a friend of mine has an 18 or 19 year old Western painted, he has no idea of the sex but has had it since it was a baby. Will the elder turtle be aggressive and or hurt the hatchling if we put them together? Does the answer to that question change depending on their sex?
Also- should I be feeding him as much as he wants or limiting him?? I have been putting in 5 or 6 pellets every few hours and he *devours* them :/
I'm not sure if you can tell the sex of a turtle when they are this young, but here are a couple shots of him in case you can! ( Plus he's adorable)
Any help is appreciated!Ok- so apparently I cant link pictures? So I guess I can email them if anyone thinks they may be able to tell?