Turtletary - RF Hatching

Diamondback Terrapin Care Simplified..
from Hatchlings to Adults
and lots of pics!

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First and foremost -
I praise my Savior Jesus Christ..
this is HIS business..
HIS website.. His animals..
HIS Wisdom.. in caring for them.
At best I'm the shepherd and strive to follow HIS lead.

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These are "SPECIAL" turtles to me..
have to be my all time favorite water turtles!

Email.. turtletary@frontier.com
931.788.2828 - central - 9a~7p
After 7p.. email me and I'll call back ASAP

>>> A few "available" coming this year - waiting list only - inquire please <<<

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Somewhere in the past.. during my escapades in Florida..
I came across Malaclemys terrapin centrata -
AKA Carolina Diamondback Terrapin.
There is a "light-phase" also - Concentric! { very white }

[young adult female]

(inside)

(outside)

{ she is no longer with me }

Sooo.. when given the opportunity to acquire hatchling's.. it didn't take
much consideration.. [ although a considerable challenge to set-up ]
I believe it has been worth it!!!

{ between a quarter and half-dollar size @ 6 weeks old }

Just look at the different shades, patterns and colors on their carapace -

( 9/16-18 pics)

They love to 'stretch' out under a basking light
and dry out every speck of skin.. and sleep -

I wonder if they dream?

This one must like attention - what a carapace!

( 10/02 pic )

Not the best pic.. just like the "reflection" -

( 11/17 pic )

He is at least twice the size of the smallest (?)
Profilin'.. handsome!

Three of them were "basking" and I was able to catch this pic!
Nothing else needs to be said...

A "rare" shot -

[ the two in the rear are no longer with me..
the larger 'female'(?) picked on the others
so 'she' found a new home quick ]

Look close and you'll see all the different 'patterns' on their head/neck!

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Last pics of the remaining "trio" in a 55 gal. aquarium
awaiting their new 'tub' -

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And where the last 2 live now..

110 gal. with H.O.T. 250 canister..

{ future breeding project? }

Are these beauties or what?

UPDATING COMING SOON - June '11

Ever mindful of UPDATE needs -

I had to choose which male to keep.. and
I knew I eventually would find a mate for him..
so I added a nestbox and 'remodeled' the tub -

Two Magnum 250 H.O.T. ( Hang On Tank ) canister
filters are utilized to keep the water pure enough to virtually drink!

Notice "out-of-water" basking space..
which also creates shaded/hiding space!

The water is about 20" deep - you can see a 2" trap-door snail
on the bottom almost exactly in the middle!
The water is that clean.. @ 500 gallons an hour.. the
entire 100 gallons is filtered thru a fine sponge sleeve and
a canister filled with carbon chips.. every 12 minutes!
It has to be because in nature Diamondback Terrapins..
live in 'brackish' water - any impurities could be fatal.

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In the meantime.. here's what the first hatchling looks like now -

He's a beauty isn't he?

Since he has a girlfriend now..
he is known as.. Bo

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UPDATE November '11..
he has a girlfriend coming soon!

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She is here!!
And is from a personal friend of mine.. a good friend!

She has a pretty smile.. don't ya think?

She is not the snow-white "Concentric" that Bo is..
but has been 'proven'/made babies.. for well over 6-7
years now and has created many "Concentrics".

She is a typical Northern female at 7"..
just look at those "webbed/nest-diggers"!

And those jaws can do serious damage to
any shells and crabs they view as groceries too..

What a Diamondback Terrapin!!!

Bo has not seen her yet..
we're allowing her to acclimate to her new
surroundings - smaller and alone -
and a "cool-down" to enhance fertility.
They will be maintained at water temps of 60F
or below for a couple months.

I'm sure Bo will be excited when they meet first time!

INTRODUCTION VIDEOS..!!!

First meeting ever -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pg-blAXy9Lk

Few minutes later.. she's checking him out! -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRlNyYewZug

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A few "available" coming later this year - ( example of hatchlings from the past ) -