AboutMark Adkins Expertise I will be glad to help with your tortoise- and turtle-related questions. My specialty is Red-foot and other Tortoises, but I can help with many aspects of turtle care.
Understand- I am not a vet, and the more information you can give me, the more accurate my answer can be.
(Because of the number of questions I get, I reserve the right to direct you to a good website that will help rather than re-inventing the wheel.)
Experience Tortoise and other reptile keeper since 1964.
Member of the Nebraska Herpetological Society.
Author of books and articles on tortoise care.
Currently own five Red-foot Tortoises.
Expert: Mark Adkins Date: 7/6/2008 Subject: Yellow Slider
Question I have a yellow bellied slider infant turtle. I am not sure how old because I found him at a lake. Recently he/she has wanted to burrow down into the dirt i have in the tank. Is there any reason why he/she would do this? Also, how can i determine the sex at such a young age?
Answer Sex: Impossible until it hits about 4" long. Then, the male will develop long foreclaws and a slightly in-curved belly. The female will generally be bigger with a flat or bulging belly.
Digging: Why is there dirt in the habitat? This is a water turtle that should be in at least a 20 gallon tank of warm, clean water with a good basking site. Digging may be a sign of stress, trying to escape, get cooler or warmer, etc.
Found: I always recommend releasing found turtles after a short time. It takes a lot to make a good turtle home- $150-300, mostly for the big tanks and bigger filters.
