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Randall the Red Belly Cooter
Randall's story has been one with some sadness. It started the day we went to the pet shop looking for feeder ghost shrimp for our bigger turtles. We were strolling about when we noticed they had a tank of turtle hatchlings. They had some tan soft shelled turtles and some odd looking little guys listed as "red bellies." They had orange shells with green swirls that were round like a ping-pong ball, and the skin that was black with brilliant yellow stripes. We went over for a closer look, and one of the little guys peeked from the top of the water and approached Stacey. She immediately fell in love with the little guys and insisted that we buy him.
We did. Since we got him some months after Dante, we kept up the "Clerks" trend and named this guy Randall.
Weeks later we went back to the same store and the tank had fish in it this time. The girl behind the counter told us that all the turtles in that tank died from shell rot. As far as we knew, Randall was the sole survivor.
Stacey immediately dedicated an enormous amount attention to the little guy. He would grow fast and very healthy. He would turn out to be extremely well behaved -- enjoying being handled by people.
The only smears on his otherwise normal growth period was shell related. Turtles shed their shell plates, aka schutes. As they grow. Sometimes you can see when they are ready to pop off. You might be tempted to help the little guys out, you shouldn't though. Stacey DID and peeled up the schute too deep and blood started coming out. The poor guy had to go on topical and oral antibiotics to remedy this problem. You have no idea how difficult it is to administer oral antibiotics to a turtle. Later on he also developed ulcers on his belly that required the same treatment.
Today, Randall is one of the largest two in the tank. His shell is football shaped, and bright orange after she drops schutes. He's relaxed most of the time, but shy when he's basking. He has a healthy appetite and still loves the attention. His most outstanding characteristic: his beak has a jagged shape as if he has a mouth full of shark's teeth. Other than that he's a lovely fellow! ;)
We did. Since we got him some months after Dante, we kept up the "Clerks" trend and named this guy Randall.
Weeks later we went back to the same store and the tank had fish in it this time. The girl behind the counter told us that all the turtles in that tank died from shell rot. As far as we knew, Randall was the sole survivor.
Stacey immediately dedicated an enormous amount attention to the little guy. He would grow fast and very healthy. He would turn out to be extremely well behaved -- enjoying being handled by people.
The only smears on his otherwise normal growth period was shell related. Turtles shed their shell plates, aka schutes. As they grow. Sometimes you can see when they are ready to pop off. You might be tempted to help the little guys out, you shouldn't though. Stacey DID and peeled up the schute too deep and blood started coming out. The poor guy had to go on topical and oral antibiotics to remedy this problem. You have no idea how difficult it is to administer oral antibiotics to a turtle. Later on he also developed ulcers on his belly that required the same treatment.
Today, Randall is one of the largest two in the tank. His shell is football shaped, and bright orange after she drops schutes. He's relaxed most of the time, but shy when he's basking. He has a healthy appetite and still loves the attention. His most outstanding characteristic: his beak has a jagged shape as if he has a mouth full of shark's teeth. Other than that he's a lovely fellow! ;)
1 comments:
Hey Bobby, what a great story an turtle. I can see wanting to help peel off the schutes (glad i never tried it though). Looks like Randall found himself a good home though!
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