I have two aquatic turtles. Both are the same age, about 2.5 years old, and recently one of them has grown to about double the size of the other. I know they are different species which would have something to do with it, but I'm worried that the smaller one isn't growing enough! The smaller one, Yoda, is about 3 inches long while Kermit is over 6 inches long and very wide. I think that when I feed them, Kermit eats more of the food, but if I try to separate them, they will not eat! (go figure!) :) so...Im wondering if my little Yoda is underfed or if he is just supposed to be so small! As far as I can tell, the small turtle is some kind of map or sawback turtle, and the other is a cooter.

THANKS!! :D

Kermit:



Yoda:

You are right. Yoda is a map turtle. Kermit looks like my Tator who is an Eastern redbellied turtle which is a type of cooter. Kermit is a cooter but I'm not positive which species that he may be. Kermit has long nails it seems which would mean he's male. My Tator has grown very fast. Map turtles are slow growers. I don't think that you need to worry as long as Yoda is getting some food. Map turtles like more animal-based foods while cooters like more fruits and veggies so add both kinds of foods. You can see a chart of Tator's growth too on his page at http://www.fishpondinfo.com/turtles/tator.htm
Tator is almost two and over five inches long so Kermit is similar in his growth to Tator. You may want to record weights and lengths of the turtles every month to keep track to see if they're growing. Good luck with the cute turtles!