Diamondback Terrapin Care

Prepare for the hatchling's arrival

Have the water temperature set to 83 degrees those first few days. Traveling has been stressful and the higher water temp helps get their metabolism going, which gets them to eat faster in their new environment. Once your new hatchling is eating good you can lower the temp to 82 degrees. When the terrapin reaches 3 inches, you can lower it to 78- 80 degrees until it reaches adult size.
In the first 4 months of a terrapin’s life it’s shell has not hardened completely, high heated basking areas are not needed during this crucial stage of development. Floating plastic plants laid across the surface of the water is sufficient for a hatchling and it allows the hatchling a place to rest and hide. Marineland Bamboo (3ft) is a great brand of plastic plant for this. I personally don’t offer basking areas until the terrapin reaches 4 inches in shell length. This promotes smooth healthy shell growth.
Filtration for a hatchling is needed but you don’t want it to be too strong in the beginning. A hatchling terrapin can easily become trapped on the intake of a canister filter, for example. Once a terrapin reaches 3 inches it can handle deeper water easily, but be mindful of your filtration intake; a pre-filter sponge is good at keeping the filter’s suction spread out over an area.
Maintaining excellent water quality is important with Diamondback Terrapins. Your hatchling may require more water changes in the beginning due to you not being able to use a strong filter when it’s young. As it gets larger/older you will be able to use a stronger filter, larger tank, etc,; at this time, weekly to bi-weekly water changes will be fine.
When I make my hatchlings available I have them eating ZooMed Hatchling formula and Omega One Juvenile Pellets. Try to keep them on this diet for the first few months because it has the nutrients needed for them to grow properly. Avoid feeding bloodworms, brine shrimp, etc., because it may be difficult to get them to eat pellets readily..
Contact me personally via email, text, Facebook, or Instagram if you have any questions.

Diamondback Terrapin Care

Prepare for the hatchling's arrival

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