AboutThea Expertise I can answer questions on the proper husbandry and diet of Iguanas, bearded dragons, geckoes, skinks, chameleons, tortoises, box turtles, treefrogs, non-venomous snakes and tarantulas. Also the breeding of some species of feeder insects.
I have no experience with venonmous snakes and only limited experience with aquatic turtles.
Experience I have been keeping and breeding reptiles for over 30 years. In addition to my regular job in the medical field I also worked for several years in a pet store that specialized only in exotics. The job entailed both caring for and answering questions on innumerable species. It required constant, extensive research into a wide range of reptiles. I have been called to appear on televised national media (CBC, CTV and Life Channel) as well as CBC radio to discuss the proper care of reptiles and other exotics in captivity. I currently own one or more species of those listed under my expertise with the exception of chameleons. I owned chameleons for years but keep none currently. I keep over 20 snakes comprising 5 species, both Colubridae and Boidae. I bred corn snakes for several years. I have a particular interest in treefrogs and currently have 5 different species. I've raised redfoot tortoises for 10 years and have two iguanas, one for 12 years.
Publications A small and now defunct local magazine called "Pet Vue"
Education/Credentials Diagnostic medical microbiology with some parasitology experience.
Question I'm doing a brochure for my class over turtles the turtles are a red-eared turtle and a painted turtle. but I need to know what they eat and im not talking bout pet food type like plants and stuff please help!!! i also need to know about the breeding and the lifespan please get back to me as soon as you can thank you soo much for all your help -Chelsea
Answer Hi Chelsea, Red ear sliders and painted turtles would both eat aquatic vegetation but I'm not familiar with the actual names of wild aquatic plants. In addition they will feed on fish, frogs, tadpoles, snails, crayfish, insects and anything else they can catch. They need to be in the water to feed. In captivity these turtles can live for 25 - 40 years but likely don't live that long in the wild due to predators. They mate in the spring (March - June) and come onto the land to bury their eggs in the early summer (May to July). It takes about 2 to 3 months for the eggs to hatch. The female does not care for the young in any way.
