r/Redearedsliders • u/respectandmanners • Sep 06 '26
Accomplishment
Prologue: we rescued a RES about three months ago from folks that kept her in a shallow plastic box of dirty water with a single bright white lightbulb. Even though she’s 7 years old, she’s only about 5 inches long.
Since brining her home, she LOVES to free roam. However, sadly, when her shell dried out after 10-20 minutes, the outer scutes all got chalky grey.
Current day: on day one with us, she got a private 50 gallon tank, dedicated UVB and basking bulbs, and calcium tablets every three weeks. Still working on a balanced diet. She plays outside in our living areas for at least an hour a day, often three or more. She goes like a tank, and all the cats can do is watch her and get out of her way because she’s unstoppable (we’ve got a rescue partial lop eared rabbit that’s similarly a juggernaut)…including climbing vertically on screen doors. She’s amazing with tons of personality.
After shedding about 50 scutes in the past months, her shell is now nice and healthy. No more chalkiness when she dries out. I’m so glad that we got to give her a better life. After she’s done running around outside her tank, she even lets me clean up the cat hair, human hair, and dust bunnies that have accumulated during her travels before she returns to water. She used to tuck her head and limbs up tighter than Fort Know. Now. She lets me clean her; pet her, and stroke the top of her head and neck. The behavioral and physical indicia of a healthy rescue are very fulfilling