turtle id

[dydek]

Hey. So me and my fiance went fishing and while fishing we found a turtle, so we decided to keep it. Since i dont know much about turtles i was wonder if anybody here could id the little guy or point towards a website/forum where they can. I tried trutleforum but to make a topic i need to have over 25 posts....
We found the turtle at chattachoochee river in sandy spring in north east atlanta, his/her shell is about 1inch long.
If the pictures arent good enough i can get better just tell me from what angle..
Thanks

https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/68509_10200277931763327_1139315543_n.jpg
https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/943656_10200277931563322_324105916_n.jpg
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/936364_1020027734_2067605040_n.jpg

 

[Galluch13]

I'm no expert but I would say that is some kind of musk turtle http://srelherp.uga.edu/turtles/steodo.htm

 

[dydek]

thanks it does looks exatcly like it.

 

[JZC]

I would return it to the wild, especially if you've never had a turtle before.

 

[Insektzuchen]

Could also be a 3-Stripe Mud Turtle. See http://youtu.be/siMzVYa8Puo

 

[KingBaboon85]

It looks definitely like a young Sternotherus odoratus common musk
We have lots of those here insouthern Quebec swamps and ponds

 

[Rhodin]

I would return it to the wild, especially if you've never had a turtle before.

I agree with this. Even if you are experienced with turtles and are prepared to give it propet uv/heating and a large enough tank I would suggest going out and rescuing one of the many turtles that end up in shelters because inexperienced owners don't realize that turtles are a responsibility. (I know that rescuing a near adult isn't as fun as raising a baby but that baby belongs out in the wild where it came from)

 

[pitbulllady]

It is a musk turtle, or "stinkpot". While not difficult to care for(for an aquatic turtle), be aware that in the state of Georgia, it is illegal to keep or capture any native animal species unless you have an educator's or rehabilitation permit from the state, and they don't issue many of either. You cannot even legally own captive-bred morphs of species like Corns or Eastern Kings under GA state law. Ironically, you CAN keep up to a certain number of native venomous snakes, because GA is one of the states that still hosts "rattlesnake round-ups", although I believe all but one of these has turned into educational, non-kill events.

pitbulllady

 

[The Snark]

Cute find. Hate finding turtles here. I can't keep them and just turning them loose means the stew pot for the locals. That means riding up to the dam, paying the 'You can swim, can't you?' ferry to take me to the other side of the lake, ride a couple of miles out into the boondocks and turning it loose with fingers crossed.

 

[dydek]

I agree with this. Even if you are experienced with turtles and are prepared to give it propet uv/heating and a large enough tank I would suggest going out and rescuing one of the many turtles that end up in shelters because inexperienced owners don't realize that turtles are a responsibility. (I know that rescuing a near adult isn't as fun as raising a baby but that baby belongs out in the wild where it came from)

what do you mean turtles are responsibility? Responsibility isn't a problem I have a lot of pets ( yay for tarantulas hehe) and I also have dog, you cant tell me the turtle will require more time to take care than my dog (which is 1 year old pitbull I got her when she was 8 weeks). You can say that about any wild cought animal that it belong in wild.....
the day I found it I went and bought 10 gallon aquarium so that's its home for now
I will let it go free where i found it if you can provide better argument than that.
Because I know I can take care of him good, just like I do to any of my pets, even thou its my first turtle.
To the legal issue unless they are almost extinct I would let it free for they own good if not that, that turtle going to be the least of my worriess when police come knocking to my door.
Thanks everybody for info.

 

[Entomancer]

You'd better put it back.

It wouldn't be hard to paint a nice big target on you via an email to the Georgia Fish and Wildlife Department.

Turtles are much more difficult and demanding than tarantulas, and some species/genera are more demanding than any dog. Most will need a fairly intense UVB lighting bulb and a spot light warm enough to create a basking spot.

They also need clean non-chlorinated water. That means no tap water if you don't live in a city with decent tap water, and you still need to add dechlorinator to the water even if you do. They also need (either) frequent water changes (multiple times per week) or weekly water changes and a good filter. They are also carnivores, and a wild turtle will need access to quality live prey several times a week. They eat in the water, which is why you need the filter/frequent water changes.

If you really want a turtle, just go buy a captive-bred musk or mud turtle. They're fairly cheap and not hard to find, plus they do much better in captivity and they won't have parasites (I'll be you any amount of money that turtle you found has some).

 

[JZC]

10 gallons is way too small for any turtle at any size IMO. When he is adult he will need about 10 gallons per inch of shell. I have a redfoot tortoise (5 inch shell) in an 8 ft sq tub. Release that turtle no please. If you really want a shelled friend, do some research and get a captive bred turtle or tortoise.

 

[dydek]

You'd better put it back.

It wouldn't be hard to paint a nice big target on you via an email to the Georgia Fish and Wildlife Department.

Turtles are much more difficult and demanding than tarantulas, and some species/genera are more demanding than any dog. Most will need a fairly intense UVB lighting bulb and a spot light warm enough to create a basking spot.

JZCtarantulafan he is about 1in so from your calculation he have enough space

They also need clean non-chlorinated water. That means no tap water if you don't live in a city with decent tap water, and you still need to add dec
hlorinator to the water even if you do. They also need (either) frequent water changes (multiple times per week) or weekly water changes and a good filter. They are also carnivores, and a wild turtle will need access to quality live prey several times a week. They eat in the water, which is why you need the filter/frequent water changes.

If you really want a turtle, just go buy a captive-bred musk or mud turtle. They're fairly cheap and not hard to find, plus they do much better in captivity and they won't have parasites (I'll be you any amount of money that turtle you found has some).

Hey. I been actually doing like you said, changing water everyday and provided worms to eat. Had to cut the in pieces cuz they were too big is that ok? But I guess I will let him free. I told my wife that and she got really sad so now I have to buy her a turtle especially that we bought all the supplies the same night. Thanks for help.

 

[Perentie]

Hey. I been actually doing like you said, changing water everyday and provided worms to eat. Had to cut the in pieces cuz they were too big is that ok? But I guess I will let him free. I told my wife that and she got really sad so now I have to buy her a turtle especially that we bought all the supplies the same night. Thanks for help.

buy a stinkpot, they are about $20. you will need at least a 40 gallon tank for an adult (i suggest an adult, they are hardier). Make sure you have a uvb/uva light that you will need to change out every 6months (not just when it goes out, they stop producing the right light) and a heat light. Pile up slate tiles to make a basking platform where he can get COMPLETELY out of the water.

 

[pitbulllady]

The thing is, he's basically stated on an internet forum that he KNOWS he is breaking Georgia state law, and again, Georgia does not discriminate between a native animal that is wild-caught or one you buy captive-bred. You cannot even have a Snow Corn or leucistic Black Rat Snake, products of many generations of captive, selective breeding by humans, in Georgia. I don't AGREE with their laws, but they are what they are, and advertizing that you have an illegal animal plus insinuating that there are things of much greater legal concerns in your home on an internet forum just doesn't seem like a very good idea to me.

pitbulllady

 

[Perentie]

The thing is, he's basically stated on an internet forum that he KNOWS he is breaking Georgia state law, and again, Georgia does not discriminate between a native animal that is wild-caught or one you buy captive-bred. You cannot even have a Snow Corn or leucistic Black Rat Snake, products of many generations of captive, selective breeding by humans, in Georgia. I don't AGREE with their laws, but they are what they are, and advertizing that you have an illegal animal plus insinuating that there are things of much greater legal concerns in your home on an internet forum just doesn't seem like a very good idea to me.

pitbulllady

I agree, but I was trying to make sure that the turtle, legal or not is given good care. I do not condone his behavior, but I do not think he is going to listen to us.

 

[Rhodin]

what do you mean turtles are responsibility? Responsibility isn't a problem I have a lot of pets ( yay for tarantulas hehe) and I also have dog, you cant tell me the turtle will require more time to take care than my dog (which is 1 year old pitbull I got her when she was 8 weeks). You can say that about any wild cought animal that it belong in wild.....
the day I found it I went and bought 10 gallon aquarium so that's its home for now
I will let it go free where i found it if you can provide better argument than that.
Because I know I can take care of him good, just like I do to any of my pets, even thou its my first turtle.
To the legal issue unless they are almost extinct I would let it free for they own good if not that, that turtle going to be the least of my worriess when police come knocking to my door.
Thanks everybody for info.

You claim that you know you can provide adequate care for the turtle but you mentioned buying a 10gal tank which is much too small(maybe not at the moment but it will become too small) and you did not mention buying a uvb or heat lamp so I can only assume you skipped those. I don't even own a turtle, my girlfriend was interested in buying one and was told by her friend that there were mini turtles that you could keep on your desk(her friend was oooo so very wrong) because it didn't sound right to me I did some research one evening and presented her with the information I got. Now, I cannot force you to release the turtle back into the wild but I will say that if you choose to keep it please invest in a large tank, proper lighting(heat/uvb), water treatment,etc. I wasn't trying to offend you by saying they are a responsibility, I was simply saying that many many turtles end up in shelters(atleast here in toronto) because people don't understand their needs and care requirements when their purchased all they think is "I want a turtle because they are cute".

 

[jgerou85]

So yeah in about 4 years your 10 gallon will be to small. As long as its not city water or salt water it wont have a problem( look at the water you wrangled it from) if it is city water then buy some start right from walmart in the fish isle and it will make it safe but i doubt you need it. You live in the south so i doubt your going to need any kind of heating either, just make sure you have a good filtration system for it as turtles are messy pets. And make sure your prepaired to keep it for its life . And they live a hell of a long time too. I would suggest you take it back to where you got it but its only a suggestion , If there is some kind of possibility of legal issues with keeping it then your just setting you and the turtle up for failure if someone narcs you out for possesion of it. They take the turtle and its equipment and give you a big fine or maybe take you to jail depending on if your conservation officer feels like it or not depending on the severity of the infraction. Musk turtles are common in michigan. I would assume it so there too. But if you want a turtle go buy one captive bred thats legal for ownership in your area. Then nobody can whine about it and you know your not doing anything you shouldnt be doing. And remember to wash your hands well after handling it or its equipment. Turtles carry salmonella among other things and can make you sick. also I forgot to mention that they also stink really bad when they get slightly older , hence the names " musk " and " stinkpot" turtle. It will stink and you will smell it, before to long it will bother u enough and you'll let it go. Dont delay the outcome. Let it go and buy one thats not gonna give u so many problems . A red eared slider would be perfect. It was my first turtle. Easy to care for and they get plenty tame. Just my two cents

 

[Rhodin]

You live in the south so i doubt your going to need any kind of heating either,

It is my understanding that tutles need exposure to uvb or else they can get mbd, I have personally seen turtles that look horribly disfigured because they were in tanks that were too small and were never given proper lighting.

 

[jgerou85]

Yes there is truth to that. All diurnal reptiles require uvb rays to create vitamin D. Which helps metabolize calicum. But in all the years Ive kept turtles and other reptiles. Ive never had a problem with no lights for turtles. There hardy animals .I do have them in a room that gets afternoon sun every once in a while and that seems like thats enough. I know lots of people who keep there snappers in blackout water conditions and in dark rooms and have for years with no ill effects. We are talking wild caught specimens also. Maybe captive bred specimens are more apt to have sensitivies to a lack of uvb rays?