At lunch Leif went the Pisces Pet Emporium and spent a lot of money on a tank, rocks for the bottom, flat rocks, a special filter, anti-chlorine stuff, biological waste reduction, and lights to create a house for our babies. The huge tank JUST fit into his car. He called me periodically throughout the afternoon to tell me something he remembered the lady at the pet store told him.
I was hoping one of the men from another unit would be here when Leif got home to help get the tank up here, but, alas, no such luck. I barely could lift the stupid thing, let alone haul it up stairs!! Almost tripped a few times, but no serious mishaps.
I got to cooking supper while Leif started putting everything together. We got the hose from outside to fill the tank because we would have been hauling a lot more pitchers of water than we did (to heat up the water in the tank).
We needed to make a dry place for the turtles to hang out under the lights so we went to Walmart after supper and found some plant pots and dishes. The set up didn't work as well as we'd envisioned, but Leif did some creative manoeuvring and finally got it to work.
Time to add the turtles...
THEY COULDN'T SWIM!!!!!! They tried reaching for the top of the water by standing on their back legs but the water was too high. We figure they've never been in a tank big enough for them to learn how to swim! We had to watch the poor guys (or girls, we're not sure yet) flounder around and kick their legs so hard but not get anywhere. It's been about 3 hours and they're FINALLY figuring it out.
We can tell them apart now too!
One has a pointier shell on top, and more black markings underneath.
The other has a more smooth shell, and less black markings.
We thought the black markings were shell rot at the beginning since it didn't seem like they had ever been out of the water. (Worried parent moment.) We did some quick internet research, and we think they're supposed to look like that.
From what we can tell, Mr(s). Smooth is more daring. S/he has actually moved to the other side of the tank! What a feat! (Proud parent moment.) As of yet, they haven't figured out that they can and need get out of the water. Leif's tried putting them on the sunning rock but they scurry off there as soon as he lets go. (Anxious parent moment.)
And one of the turtles just started eating! That is a very good sign. Turtles apparently don't eat when they're stressed, or nervous, or anything like that.
I'm sick and not going to get better by watching our turtles. Must tear myself away and go to bed. I hope they don't die while I'm not watching them! (Over-protective parent moment.)
Goodnight!
Laura.
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