turtle
 

was walking along coastal NC road and was placed in my 2500 gl well
established pond. I've been feeding regularly and he/she has many
escape routes but has been (no surprise) staying. It is a painted
turtle, I guess, not so aggressive except to fry, which I don't mind.
Fish population control is OK. My question is this: the turtle's shell
is really green with moss? or algae? Is this natural for it to blend in
with the environment, or a problem of not enough sunlight. I do not
have an island for basking, but there is a beachy area. I don't know
anything about turtles or their requirements or even if it's a good
idea to keep. Help appreciated. Regards, Tony

wrote in message
oups.com...
was walking along coastal NC road and was placed in my 2500 gl well
established pond. I've been feeding regularly and he/she has many
escape routes but has been (no surprise) staying. It is a painted
turtle, I guess, not so aggressive except to fry, which I don't mind.
Fish population control is OK. My question is this: the turtle's shell
is really green with moss? or algae? Is this natural for it to blend in
with the environment, or a problem of not enough sunlight. I do not
have an island for basking, but there is a beachy area. I don't know
anything about turtles or their requirements or even if it's a good
idea to keep. Help appreciated. Regards, Tony
===================================
It should have a basking site somewhere sunny in your pond. You can use
almost anything he can climb out on to dry off and sun him/herself. It's my
understanding they can get both bacterial and fungal infections if they are
denied sunlight.
--
McKoi.... the frugal ponder...
My Pond Page http://tinyurl.com/cuq5b
~~~ }((((o ~~~ }{{{{o ~~~ }(((((o
http://www.hyphenologist.co.uk/killf..._troll_faq.htm

Turtles need to bask in the sun for several hours
every day and it needs to feel safe. As far as
mossy shells... I'd look to a herp board for an
answer. Good luck!

kathy :-) www.blogfromthebog.com
this week's entry - water striders!
Pond 101 page for new pond keepers ~
http://hometown.aol.com/ka30p/myhomepage/garden.html

wrote:
was walking along coastal NC road and was placed in my 2500 gl well
established pond. I've been feeding regularly and he/she has many
escape routes but has been (no surprise) staying. It is a painted
turtle, I guess, not so aggressive except to fry, which I don't mind.
Fish population control is OK. My question is this: the turtle's shell
is really green with moss? or algae? Is this natural for it to blend in
with the environment, or a problem of not enough sunlight. I do not
have an island for basking, but there is a beachy area. I don't know
anything about turtles or their requirements or even if it's a good
idea to keep. Help appreciated. Regards, Tony



--
McKoi.... the frugal ponder...
My Pond Page http://tinyurl.com/cuq5b
~~~ }((((o ~~~ }{{{{o ~~~ }(((((o