Comments on: What kind of turtles make good pets? http://myturtles.com/blog/what-kind-of-turtles-make-good-pets/ MyTurtles.com Sat, 28 Jan 2012 23:05:57 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: joanna http://myturtles.com/blog/what-kind-of-turtles-make-good-pets/comment-page-1/#comment-121 joanna Tue, 15 Sep 2009 00:38:19 +0000 http://myturtles.com/blog/what-kind-of-turtles-make-good-pets/#comment-121 The kind of turtle that is most common in homes are red ear sliders. they are very friendly and kind once they get to know you. here are some information on taking care of it: Red eared sliders are semi aquatic turtles that are very commonly kept as pets. Unfortunately, lack of understanding what they require means that many red eared sliders have died from improper care. While they are not overly demanding as pets, many unsuspecting owners have been told that it was fine to keep them in small plastic bowls. Needless to say this housing is completely inadequate and impractical - turtle owners need to invest a fair amount in the proper equipment to house red eared sliders. With proper care these turtles can live several decades, so turtle ownership is not a commitment to be taken lightly. A full grown red eared slider can reach 12 inches in length (measured as the carapace, or top shell, length). Males tend to be smaller than females, but have large claws on the front legs and longer tails than females. In the US, sale of red eared sliders under 4 inches in length have been banned since the 1970s. The ban was a result of the prevalence of Salmonella infections linked to pet turtles. Baby turtles were very popular as pets for small children, mostly because a lot of people did not realize the cute tiny turtles sold in pet stores could carry Salmonella or that they could grow so large. Diet Red eared sliders are omnivores, meaning they eat a mixture of animal and plant material. Younger turtles are more carnivorous (eat more animal protein) than adults, though. Juveniles should be fed daily, but adults can be fed every 2-3 days. Turtles can be fed a mixture of prepared commercial food and fresh food. Special food formulated for turtles can be used, but this should only make up about 25% of the total diet. The proportions of fresh supplements will depend on the age of the turtle, but can include live feeder fish, earthworms, crickets, waxworms, bloodworms, aquatic snails, fresh greens (collard, mustard and dandelion greens, and dark leafy lettuces but never head lettuce), aquatic plants, and shredded vegetables. For more detail, see "What Should I Feed my Red Eared Slider?" Vitamins and Minerals A good quality complete reptile vitamin and mineral supplement should be added to the food once or twice a week. In addition, extra calcium can be provided by giving turtles a cuttlebone (break into pieces and float in the water) or calcium block to nibble on. Boy or Girl? The length of the claws is the primary way to tell the difference between males and females, as they are much longer in males. See Sexing Red Eared Sliders for other details that can help you tell the difference. The differences are not marked until they read sexual maturity, though. The kind of turtle that is most common in homes are red ear sliders. they are very friendly and kind once they get to know you. here are some information on taking care of it:
Red eared sliders are semi aquatic turtles that are very commonly kept as pets. Unfortunately, lack of understanding what they require means that many red eared sliders have died from improper care. While they are not overly demanding as pets, many unsuspecting owners have been told that it was fine to keep them in small plastic bowls. Needless to say this housing is completely inadequate and impractical – turtle owners need to invest a fair amount in the proper equipment to house red eared sliders. With proper care these turtles can live several decades, so turtle ownership is not a commitment to be taken lightly.
A full grown red eared slider can reach 12 inches in length (measured as the carapace, or top shell, length). Males tend to be smaller than females, but have large claws on the front legs and longer tails than females.

In the US, sale of red eared sliders under 4 inches in length have been banned since the 1970s. The ban was a result of the prevalence of Salmonella infections linked to pet turtles. Baby turtles were very popular as pets for small children, mostly because a lot of people did not realize the cute tiny turtles sold in pet stores could carry Salmonella or that they could grow so large.

Diet
Red eared sliders are omnivores, meaning they eat a mixture of animal and plant material. Younger turtles are more carnivorous (eat more animal protein) than adults, though. Juveniles should be fed daily, but adults can be fed every 2-3 days.

Turtles can be fed a mixture of prepared commercial food and fresh food. Special food formulated for turtles can be used, but this should only make up about 25% of the total diet. The proportions of fresh supplements will depend on the age of the turtle, but can include live feeder fish, earthworms, crickets, waxworms, bloodworms, aquatic snails, fresh greens (collard, mustard and dandelion greens, and dark leafy lettuces but never head lettuce), aquatic plants, and shredded vegetables. For more detail, see “What Should I Feed my Red Eared Slider?”

Vitamins and Minerals
A good quality complete reptile vitamin and mineral supplement should be added to the food once or twice a week. In addition, extra calcium can be provided by giving turtles a cuttlebone (break into pieces and float in the water) or calcium block to nibble on.

Boy or Girl?
The length of the claws is the primary way to tell the difference between males and females, as they are much longer in males. See Sexing Red Eared Sliders for other details that can help you tell the difference. The differences are not marked until they read sexual maturity, though.

]]> By: RadioActiveSheep http://myturtles.com/blog/what-kind-of-turtles-make-good-pets/comment-page-1/#comment-120 RadioActiveSheep Sat, 12 Sep 2009 19:24:59 +0000 http://myturtles.com/blog/what-kind-of-turtles-make-good-pets/#comment-120 Get small turtles! Usually one or two are fine. They're not that hard to take care of so there's not much to worry about. Make sure the water isn't too warm or cold. Clean the water about every 1-2 weeks and make sure it has enough living/ swimming space. Be mindful about how much you feed too. Hope this was helpful! Get small turtles! Usually one or two are fine. They’re not that hard to take care of so there’s not much to worry about. Make sure the water isn’t too warm or cold. Clean the water about every 1-2 weeks and make sure it has enough living/ swimming space. Be mindful about how much you feed too.

Hope this was helpful!

]]> By: burnt_in_wood http://myturtles.com/blog/what-kind-of-turtles-make-good-pets/comment-page-1/#comment-119 burnt_in_wood Thu, 10 Sep 2009 16:26:08 +0000 http://myturtles.com/blog/what-kind-of-turtles-make-good-pets/#comment-119 My suggestion for someone who has Never had a turtle is to READ absolutely everything you can get your hands on before you decide on this. Some things you should know. 1) turtles will learn to recognize you, but will Never Be cuddly, lap sitting pets. 2) a turtle is a LIFE LONG commitment for you and your children. Most species live 30 years or longer. 100 years or more is not uncommon. 3) The cost of the turtle is not the worst thing. The set up to properly care for a turtle can run to the thousands of dollars. The small 4 inch turtle you bring home from the store is Not going to stay that way. Research Any Species you think about taking home. Just like you would before you buy a new car.. your going to have the turtle MUCH longer then the car. Many have very specific needs for lighting, heat, water, space, and feeding. 4) Be careful of where you get your new pet. Wild caught turtles do not do well for the majority of people 5) you need to be sure there is a good, knowledgeable Herp vet in your area. Not every vet can handle a turtle. 6) if you move, some states have laws on what species can be owned or possessed. your pet in new york, may be illegal in Pennsylvania. I will not be moving to California. I own snapping turtles and they are illegal state wide there. and...finally.. I'll direct you to one of my favorite turtle sites.. Austins Turtle Pages.... that's a page he wrote on how to decide what beginner turtle species you should think about.. I personally love my turtles as pets, but I know they are simply not the pet for everyone. My suggestion for someone who has Never had a turtle is to READ absolutely everything you can get your hands on before you decide on this.

Some things you should know.
1) turtles will learn to recognize you, but will Never Be cuddly, lap sitting pets.
2) a turtle is a LIFE LONG commitment for you and your children. Most species live 30 years or longer. 100 years or more is not uncommon.
3) The cost of the turtle is not the worst thing. The set up to properly care for a turtle can run to the thousands of dollars. The small 4 inch turtle you bring home from the store is Not going to stay that way. Research Any Species you think about taking home. Just like you would before you buy a new car.. your going to have the turtle MUCH longer then the car. Many have very specific needs for lighting, heat, water, space, and feeding.
4) Be careful of where you get your new pet. Wild caught turtles do not do well for the majority of people
5) you need to be sure there is a good, knowledgeable Herp vet in your area. Not every vet can handle a turtle.
6) if you move, some states have laws on what species can be owned or possessed. your pet in new york, may be illegal in Pennsylvania. I will not be moving to California. I own snapping turtles and they are illegal state wide there.
and…finally.. I’ll direct you to one of my favorite turtle sites.. Austins Turtle Pages…. that’s a page he wrote on how to decide what beginner turtle species you should think about..
I personally love my turtles as pets, but I know they are simply not the pet for everyone.

]]> By: Genki http://myturtles.com/blog/what-kind-of-turtles-make-good-pets/comment-page-1/#comment-118 Genki Wed, 09 Sep 2009 12:04:13 +0000 http://myturtles.com/blog/what-kind-of-turtles-make-good-pets/#comment-118 well sure as hell not snapping turtles...find a species that's really calm and nice....maybe a box turtle.... well sure as hell not snapping turtles…find a species that’s really calm and nice….maybe a box turtle….

]]> By: tyesgirl http://myturtles.com/blog/what-kind-of-turtles-make-good-pets/comment-page-1/#comment-117 tyesgirl Sun, 06 Sep 2009 02:50:14 +0000 http://myturtles.com/blog/what-kind-of-turtles-make-good-pets/#comment-117 Well I have a sulcata tortoise and I love her. Very low maintenance and they dont bite. you would love them. Well I have a sulcata tortoise and I love her. Very low maintenance and they dont bite. you would love them.

]]> By: Alex C http://myturtles.com/blog/what-kind-of-turtles-make-good-pets/comment-page-1/#comment-116 Alex C Sat, 05 Sep 2009 12:46:22 +0000 http://myturtles.com/blog/what-kind-of-turtles-make-good-pets/#comment-116 these: answer mine plz: these:

answer mine plz:

]]> By: Johnnyneon http://myturtles.com/blog/what-kind-of-turtles-make-good-pets/comment-page-1/#comment-115 Johnnyneon Thu, 03 Sep 2009 18:41:45 +0000 http://myturtles.com/blog/what-kind-of-turtles-make-good-pets/#comment-115 Oh god they're horrible! I had one once and you have to clean their **** every day or it makes the room stink to high heaven, and then you will argue with your brothers and sisters who should have it in their room. They stink! Maybe if you get a dry one, like a desert type of turtle, it will be different, but if you get the ones I had (red eared sliders), welcome to the wonderful world of poo. Oh god they’re horrible! I had one once and you have to clean their **** every day or it makes the room stink to high heaven, and then you will argue with your brothers and sisters who should have it in their room.
They stink!
Maybe if you get a dry one, like a desert type of turtle, it will be different, but if you get the ones I had (red eared sliders), welcome to the wonderful world of poo.

]]> By: Lil http://myturtles.com/blog/what-kind-of-turtles-make-good-pets/comment-page-1/#comment-114 Lil Tue, 01 Sep 2009 12:25:33 +0000 http://myturtles.com/blog/what-kind-of-turtles-make-good-pets/#comment-114 Don't get a snapping turtle- they're not as tame as dogs and don't learn to recognize the owner that feeds them. I've had experience- no matter how nice you be to him, he will bite you if you make one tiny thing uncomfortable to him. Good luck! Don’t get a snapping turtle- they’re not as tame as dogs and don’t learn to recognize the owner that feeds them. I’ve had experience- no matter how nice you be to him, he will bite you if you make one tiny thing uncomfortable to him. Good luck!

]]> By: Mood: Lalala http://myturtles.com/blog/what-kind-of-turtles-make-good-pets/comment-page-1/#comment-113 Mood: Lalala Mon, 31 Aug 2009 01:10:39 +0000 http://myturtles.com/blog/what-kind-of-turtles-make-good-pets/#comment-113 I would recommend a Box Turtle. I would recommend a Box Turtle.

]]> By: AJ http://myturtles.com/blog/what-kind-of-turtles-make-good-pets/comment-page-1/#comment-112 AJ Sun, 30 Aug 2009 22:50:07 +0000 http://myturtles.com/blog/what-kind-of-turtles-make-good-pets/#comment-112 turtles arent very active, but i wood sugest a tortoise type thing turtles arent very active, but i wood sugest a tortoise type thing

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