New turtle gasping?

[Z Trip]

I recently purchased a chinese soft shell turtle from a private sale. She is under one year of age and is around 3 inches long. She currently lives in a tank 30x12" and has plenty of clean sand and water to play in. I noticed that she gasps while under water. I know
turtles can't breath like that and am wondering if anything is wrong with her.

Any help would be greatlfull.

 

[crayfishguy]

Maybe it has something in its throat?


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[paul112]

Can you describe in any more detail than gasping? They sometimes make a swallowing action, or yawn, but if it's opening its mouth for long periods there could be something wrong.

Best,
Paul

 

[Z Trip]

The turtle only does it underwater for short periods of times. It looks like he is out of breath. It's open close, open close. Defenatly not yawning or holding his mouth open constantly. I will do my best to get it on video. Problem is, he does it sparingly and not at all when burried under sand.

 

[Z Trip]

Best video I could get, she is very shy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xxdo_70CvEQ

 

[paul112]

I remember seeing my own Softshell doing that sometimes. I don't think it's anything to worry about.

Best,
Paul

 

[Z Trip]

I remember seeing my own Softshell doing that sometimes. I don't think it's anything to worry about.

Best,
Paul

Ok thank you. I was reading that they can breath underwater that way. I feel much better now regardless.

 

[methos75]

Quite normal, little known fact but Softshell Turtles do have the limited capacity to absorb oxygen from water and that is what you are seeing.