[kathydip]

I have had my turtle for about 15 years now. He has always been an only turtle because I knew I could never handle two of them. He is HUGE and I cannot imagine how big of a tank I would need for 2 of them.
Well I am beginning to feel a bit guilty that he has no friends. I went to our little local zoo and they have the same kind of turtle he is - Florida Cooter. They have at least 4 of those and some red eared sliders.
I am not even sure if they would take him but sometimes I feel I should offer him to them. Maybe he would like to make baby turtles? Or just hang around with someone that looks like him - and not a kitty, fish or a couple of dogs!
What do you guys think? Am I being completely silly? Do turtles even care if they are with another turtle?
I did check and they house them inside in the winter so I don't need to worry about that.
We do have a small pond outback for him. He gets to spend the entire summer outside. Is this enough to keep him happy or does he need more?

 

[<-Steve->]

Hey Kathydip. I think that as long as he is well fed and given an environment that keeps him healthy and fungus/bad-bacteria free he will be fine. I don't really think turtles spend much time wondering "how things might have been, if only....". But if you think the zoo would be a better place, why not ask if they would take him? That way, you could still get to see him and your conscience would be clear.

Site with printable fact-sheets that might be helpful:
AQUASCAPE FISH IMPORTS - Care Sheets

Good luck. <-Steve->

 

[kathydip]

Thanks Steve! I am pretty sure I am doing a good job with his diet and environment. He has a pond in the yard in the summer and a 75 gallon tank in the winter. We have the proper lightening for him in the winter. His diet is the turtle pellets, that the Philadelphia Zoo uses, leaf lettuces, tomatoes, strawberries, peaches, etc. Pretty much everything I give the bunnies I will give him.
I corresponded with a docent from the Philadelphia zoo a couple years ago to be sure I was taking care of him properly.
I just want him to be happy. I have to say in the summer he definitely seems happy. In the winter I do worry since he doesn't have a pond and entire yard to explore. I just refuse to move to Florida for him.

 

[JacquesZoo]

How big is he? They really don't need friends as long as you provide the proper environment. If I remember correctly some water turtles like to be solitary.

 

[Dragonrain]

He sounds like he has a good life to me!

My sister use to keep water turtles, and at one point she had 2 - but they didn't really interact that much. Once in awhile one would sit on top of the other while they were basking, lol. But that's about it.

If you want to find him a new home and the zoo will take him he would probably be happy there. But if you want to keep him I think it sounds like your doing a great job with him, he must love the pond in the summer!

 

[VanillaRat]

Nah,turtles do not really need friends.They can do quite well on their own.I am not sure about that species in particular,but some turtle species will fight if housed together.

But as everyone else mentioned,it really does seem like you are doing an awesome job.I am sure he is more then happy.

 

[Mygala]

Vanilla is right, ...water turtles aren't social animals. They only associate with others for mating. Any other associations can sometimes result in stress or fighting.

bob

 

[kathydip]

Thanks guys. I feel much better. After seeing the turtles lined up on the log basking at the zoo I really felt guilty. He does seem really happy in the summer. Not so much in the winter but in PA I don't have a choice but to bring him inside.
He is outside swimming around the peasoup pond. If I can just get that cleaned up I think I will be happy.