Graptemys nigrinoda - A knobbly chronicle

[zekee]

Hi all,

I wanted to start a topic to document another species I am currently working with along with my other topics "Clemmys guttata - A spotted journey" and "Emys orbicularis - A pond odyssey" I wanted somewhere I could document this animals progression within my care, hopefully more experienced keepers will chime in with any information/suggestions they have.

I purchased this turtle from the Hamm reptile expo in Germany, September 2012. Incubated for male.

I have a passion for prehistoric animals, in particular dinosaurs.

A favourite being stegosaurus. Which, in my eyes are very reminiscent of this species.

Anyway, below are some images from when he arrived, unfortunately I did not weigh or measure. Foolishly.

I will be measuring and weighing monthly from the 5th March 2013.

Tom

[Gregore]

An absolutely gorgeous turtle! I wish I would have purchased a Northern instead of the Southern that I bought. I think the coloring is even cooler on the Northerns, plus they're cheaper than the Southerns. Other than a slight difference in coloring though, they're pretty much the same turtle. Grats on your turtle! I hope you have him in a tank with plenty of swimming room. Mine is a tremendous swimmer. Mine has appeared to pretty much top out on growth at about 4IN at about 2-1/2YO. I need to measure him again. He was 3-1/2 SCL about six months ago or so. He looks to be a solid 4IN now. I will have to measure him the next time I take him out of his tank to feed him in his feeder tank. I may have to put him on a diet as he is starting to look slightly pudgy lately. I have been guilty of feeding him almost every day. I usually give him about six Omega One Cichlid pellets. He also usually ends up eating the sinking algae wafers before my fish can get to them. I'm going to have to do better about feeding him once every other day. He's so good at swimming back and forth in the front of the tank begging for food though! lol I need to order some more dried green seaweed. That's a food that I was feeding on the days between his regular feedings with good success, but ran out of it. It's a PITA to get here where I live. I have to order it through the internet. Because of that, I usually try to wait until I need other things to help justify the shipping charges.

[zekee]

Thank you for your kind words George.

He currently resides in a three foot aquarium. Plenty of greenery as can be seen in the last picture. I had wanted this species for quite some time. I decided to take the plunge last year. I don't regret it.

I am currently feeding Zoo Med hatchling formula. Which, after a slow start he now seems to relish. I also feed earthworms, whitefish, bloodworms, mussel and shrimp. Obviously not all at once.

I had some Mississippi maps about four years ago, sadly due to relocation I had to rehome them.

My initial observations with this species is that they are somewhat shyer than the Mississippi's, although he seems to be more confident now he is growing.

Saying that it is incredibly hard to get good pictures of him.

Tom

[Anthony P]

These must be tough/expensive to get over there Tom! Good for you. He is beautiful. And I love you'd thread titles.

[zekee]

Thanks Anthony, this little guy was 120 so about £97?

Not cheap but was worth every euro!

Lovely little species, what with it being incubated for male, this should be a rather beautiful pocket sized turtle.

The topic names, i was trying to go for something that gave a clue for people unsure on Latin names, yet also had the element of story within.

Tom

[Anthony P]

That's actually cheaper than I would have guessed. Awesome that you got him there. Males of these knobbed maps really are so small.. It's amazing to see.

[zekee]

I'm looking forward to the day when he is an adult. I will be looking for some females for him in due course.

Tom

[Simple Man]

Gorgeous animal! Congrats and good luck with him. I'll be looking forward to updates.

Regards,

B

[zekee]

5-03-2013

Today I measured and weighed the little knobbler,

Results documented below:

05-03-2013......15g....4cm scl

This seems about right.

In comparison to the Clemmys I am working with, of roughly the same age, the weight of the knobbler is very similar.

I tried feeding the larger Zoo Med pellets tonight, it seems quite a struggle to eat. I can safely assume we are not ready for these yet.

A new MVB has been added to this enclosure, with a larger area for basking with a wider range of temperatures to do so.

Since adding this new bulb, I have noted that he has become more active and hides a lot less. Basking has also increase.

Possibly the bulb?

Possibly growing more assured?

I am undecided.

Thats all for now.

More updates to come.

Tom

[Toedude]

Wow! your turtle has some great coloring!

[Gregore]

Wow! your turtle has some great coloring!

Yeah, I'm rather jealous as my SBK isn't nearly as colorful. He's super sexy to be sure! lol

[zekee]

Thank you both for you kind words, he is a little stunner, I would post more pictures but he is very hard to take a decent picture of.

He is still doing well, and is basking for extended periods before scooting away for a swim.

His appetite has grown also, im not sure if I mentioned earlier in the thread but when I first got him he was a bit reluctant to eat the Zoo Med I was offering, thankfully he now relishes this.

That's all for now. I shall try and capture some additional images.

Tom

[zekee]

Hi all,

another image of the little knobbler

Tom

[Gregore]

Nice picks! If I outlive Gumbee, my next turtle will be a NBK like yours.

[zekee]

HI Gregore, yes they are a lovely species, their size is also appelaing, as they aren't quite tank busters!

Just a quick update to post the table I will be using to document the knobblers growth.

Tom

[turtlehman]

Wow hes growing so well, absolute stunner! I think when you do find a breeding age female I'd have to take a drive to wales as I'm sure by then I will be expanding

Absolute Favorites! jealous.com

[zekee]

More than welcome Henry, be a few years yet though!

Tom,

[zekee]

Hi all, I apologize for the lack of updates on this thread, I seem to of been caught up with my creak and stream species!

The monthly weigh in was completed around the 5th of April, it has taken me a while to get around to posting the results. I apologize again.

Results are below:

I also captured some additional pictures for you guys.

Although the weight gain seems slight, this animal has bulked up a bit, I can tell from the brief handling of this animal.

I will post updates as and when.

Enjoy the pictures

Tom

[nikkikenney]

Really good photos and lovely looking and interesting turtle, bravo. It's nice to see turtle or fish tank logs, I wish I had started a proper one when mine were tiny, although I do have my own personal collection of pics on FB etc. but it's not the same.

[zekee]

Wow, this thread completely slipped off my radar, I can however report that this guy is doing great and growing very well.

I am still struggling to capture pictures of him but I will try.

He has been upgraded into my living room 240 litre tank, which he shares with several cherry shrimp and some random (4) fish, 2 cherry barbs and 2 rasorbas (sp).

As mentioned in my other threads over in c+s, this guy has really taken to duckweed introduced to the habitat, really strange considering his age?

What you guys think?

Apologies again for severe lack of updates.

Tom

[Bleecker]

I'm looking forward to the day when he is an adult. I will be looking for some females for him in due course.

Tom

Wow! He is stunning!

[zekee]

Thank you. This threads seems very quiet compared to others.

This was one of the reasons I may of neglected it.

Tom

[Gregore]

Nice updates for a very cool turtle!