Guppy W Painted Turtle Painted Toms River, NJ

I'm Guppy but I'm not a guppy. I'm an aquatic 1-2 year old female western painted turtle for adoption in Philadelphia, PA. Western painteds are between red-eared sliders and eastern painted turtles in size. I could end up being 6-10" when full grown. I would do well in a 55 gallon tank for now, but might eventually need a 75-gallon aquarium or 100-gallon stock tank when full grown. Since western painteds are very hardy and we come from colder climates in the central US, I could also live outside in a FENCED backyard pond of at least 300 gallons, with other female aquatic turtles. Because western painteds are not native to PA, I AM legal to keep in PA.

I eat pellets such as Omega One and greens, and my aquarium would need a very strong filter. I need a basking platform in my tank, too, so sit under a heat light and UVB light that's on for 14 hours a day if I'm not in a pond.

A NJ adopter would need to get a permit after I'm adopted. She is also legal in NY, MD, WV, and VA. I CANNOT be released to the wild because I was hatched in captivity. In NJ, since our adoption contract serves as a receipt for a permit (that can be obtained after adopting), visit https://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/exotic_apps.htm

REQUEST AN ADOPTION APPLICATION from matts_adoptions@hotmail.com
Please INCLUDE YOUR CITY AND STATE when contacting MATTS. An application will be e-mailed to you. Once completed, the application can be returned, and if approved, you'll then have to submit pictures of your set-up before picking up a turtle. Pictures of examples of how I should be kept are included with my picture.

For ideas on how to prepare an aquarium or pond, visit www.turtleforum.com to chat with other keepers. Review the slider care sheet to learn more about caring for a slider. http://nebula.wsimg.com/ae4cb36565545a257b1ff6f17a885dc2?AccessKeyId=A3E784782F81D21389AD&disposition=0&alloworigin=1

A great e-book for beginners is Red-Eared Sliders (Animal Planet Pet Care Library) by Katrina Smith (on Amazon or in some stores).

A more in-depth book, for FREE download, is https://www.lulu.com/shop/richard-lunsford/captive-care-of-north-american-water-turtles/ebook/product-17551523.html

PLEASE HELP OTHER TURTLES by spreading the word - baby turtles grow into big turtles! They do not stay small - they do not grow to the size of their enclosure! Please don't buy hatchling turtles at vacation tourist spots. It's illegal in ALL 50 states to sell a turtle this small. Like turtles but can't have one? Want to help? MATTS has fliers and educational material at www.matts-turtles.org and accepts tax-deductible donations at MATTS, P.O. Box 341, Highland, MD 20777. We help over 100 displaced pet turtles a year!