DonnaM

I'd say along time before the people bought him at Christmas. His weakened state would have seen him with no real ability to flee from the females attacks or to heal his neck wound. The new owners didnt know normal turtle behaviour. They travelled to CHCH and asked at a local pet shop for help...and the lady there thought "I know theres a turtle lady in CHCH" phoned a vet and got my number for them. Too late for this fella, but at least able to help them sort out correct environment etc for the female.

See how one leg has toes all contracted and the other has them extended...this limb just sort of jerked a little if you touched it or when he was in the water as he tried to move it. Other limbs didnt move.

(Sorry, but I can't for the life of me work out how to put more then one photo per post...they keep disappearing!!!)

This one didnt make it. He was on TM for ages...temporarily living in a bath with a female RES as original owners did a runner or something? Bought at Christmas, but no info given to new owners. Female started attacking him in Feb. He stopped using back legs in March. (They thought he was protecting them from female.) Stopped using one front leg in April and began basking all the time. Couldnt eat as didnt have ability to move legs to grasp/pull at food so was being hand fed when he did eat. Came to me a few days ago. Was put in isolation and fed. He started passing bright yellow pus. His back feet were exactly the same as 'Speedys'. Sort of contracted toes and not moving limbs at all. Also if you touched his front legs they sort of tremored/jerked. He didnt move at all, no attempt to walk or swim. When I looked close he had various swollen feet and knee joints which were hard on palpation. ?Gout or a fracture? He was very weak. You could easily hold and extend limbs with no resistance. Very pale in his mouth. Vet agreed it was really too late for him. The pictures say it all really. They are not pleasant to look at, so be warned

:lol: :lol:

Sounds like 'home baking' for Sat am and pm and one breakfast is organised...... Will let you know when confirmed.

Very cute!

aww...Wheres your sense of adventure ? :lol:

:lol: :lol: yes there was a loud noise of some description on the TV and the frog was joining in as he sometimes does... but probably with a cricket or two in his mouth! :lol: Hadnt heard him at all this last 6 mths or so, but advent of crickets definately helped. As for cockroaches..... dont see them where I live. Dog must have scared them off 8)

Is there a missing "NOT" in this sentence? :lol: You're as bad as him at eating the insects! :lol: :lol: P.s My male frog started whistling after a big nite of eating your crickets... must have really given him a boost!

Anything like rotten meat or fish is good. I changed the 'tray' under mine so I have a pottle that has a lid able to be attached hanging under the trap. I have ox heart and fish in it. I just add water when it gets dry and when not on the trap I put on the lid and keep my 'mixture' in the garage. When I want to catch flies I hold my breath.....open up the lid...add water if needed and away it goes. Sometimes has the odd magggot in the mix, but has lasted for months and smells......well indescribable! Great fly catcher....

Yes caek is a VERY special South Island delicacy....similar to cake! :lol: :lol: mmmm looks like I'll have to try and get an A/L day for the Friday as am currently working that evening... dont want to miss the caek..... 8)

mmmm I just wonder how many burn marks and what the eye sight is like of that Reeves climbing into the lamp.....before it does a death dive into that water so far away from the basking ramp..... :roll:

What he said!

Does it need a cure? Can you post/send a photo? May just be the colouring?

Yes, thats what I do. They will mostly sit and watch me. But that doesnt mean that sometimes one wont get a 'fright' and leap into the water...with most of the others following :roll: Mostly I can walk around in their enclosure, even having to pick one up and move it out of the way of somewhere I need to step too, and they will just sit there and look at me. The new turtles are far more wary...unlike Reptos ... but the ones that have been here awhile are more relaxed and placid. Handling isnt something they like and is only done if necessary around here If they all leap into the water when you go out, just sit quietly a small distance from them and allow them to get used to you being there. When they start to climb out again, just be careful not to stand up quickly or make any sudden movements as they check you out. Eventually they will ignore you except to beg for food and just go about their usual turtle lives

Great job! Amazing what a bit of healthy lifestyle can achieve :bounce: Tho I'm thinking that second date should be 2010 and not 09?