I wanna buy a turtle

Hitch-Hiker

or a tortoise.
I've never had a pet, not even a goldfish and I want one now.
Not getting a dog - too much work and I've been scared of them my whole life. Cats set off allergies so they're out.
I love birds so I was thinking of maybe getting a parakeet or something, but then the idea of a couple of little turtles hit me.
So anyone who's had them before have any advice or stories to tell? do share

Also, hello again everyone. It's been months since I've been here.

RKCNDY

turtles are cute...never had one, but they came into the clinic I worked at every now and then. I just know that every few months they need beak and nail trims.

Hatriet

Hello welcome back , I have a hedgehog, because he's only got 3 legs at the minute so I need to look after him and keep him in the house for a bit, I think you should go and look in the bushes and find a 3 legged hedgehog, they're awesome! I've never had a turtle or tortise before though, sorry :(

BinauralJam

I had a Wood Turtle when i was a kid, found it and made him my pet, he was awesome!!! Had to let him go when we moved a couple of years later. Took a couple of days for him to get used to me, but then he would come out his shell when ever i took him out and eat right out of my hand!!! He was a land turtle though, you maye want a swimmer, two eastern painter turtles would be a good start. Can feed them live gold fish when they get big enough!!! make sure you wash your hands after handling them. Your gona need a nice sized tank.

BinauralJam

zchick wrote:

turtles are cute...never had one, but they came into the clinic I worked at every now and then. I just know that every few months they need beak and nail trims.

You trim a Turtles Beak? seriously?

Jukee

I had a turtle when I was about 10 or 12. He stunk big time! About 2 years after I got him he just stopped eating. It's amazing though, he went without eating for months but then finally kicked the bucket. I thought it was useless having one as a pet but hey I was only a kid at the time.

FrankieG

Dont know much about them... but I do know they are illegal to own around me ( i think all of NJ ) because of some weird laws...

Also, Dont quote me, but I think they carry salmonella (sp?) ?

RK202995

We own two west African mud turtles. They are a good choice because they are low maintenance and do not grow too large.
Some consideration points:
1. As noted, they can be carriers of salmanoella (sp.) and other diseases - they are rather dirty buggers but as long as you don't handle them, there should be no health concerns. (Also, you shouldn't handle them because it will cause them stress)
2. They are technically illegal in many states which you should consider. However, the law is basically never enforced and you can find multiple places to buy online.
3. The setup costs do get a little hefty. Depending on the turtle, you are probably going to need a tank, lid, filter, toys/plants, gravel, food, lighting, thermometers, and more. Turtles require specific climate controlled areas including air and water temperature regulation (both if the turtle is aquatic or semi-aquatic).

All that said, once you are set up, they are very easy to take care of. Basically, feed them as directed, and clean the tank every few months. They are fun and have personalities.

Thanks for listening.

Lizard

frightened turtles.

:?

81

the nice thinga bout turtles....when you get tired of them, you can make soup



i once dated this girl who had a crazy mom that had a pair of snapping turtles in her basement work sink. :? not sure why, but they sat in that sink all day doing a whole lot of nothing. sad life for them. she also had rats. :?

mookeywrench

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMNry4PE93Y

BinauralJam

RK202995 wrote:

We own two west African mud turtles. They are a good choice because they are low maintenance and do not grow too large.
Some consideration points:
1. As noted, they can be carriers of salmanoella (sp.) and other diseases - they are rather dirty buggers but as long as you don't handle them, there should be no health concerns. (Also, you shouldn't handle them because it will cause them stress)
2. They are technically illegal in many states which you should consider. However, the law is basically never enforced and you can find multiple places to buy online.
3. The setup costs do get a little hefty. Depending on the turtle, you are probably going to need a tank, lid, filter, toys/plants, gravel, food, lighting, thermometers, and more. Turtles require specific climate controlled areas including air and water temperature regulation (both if the turtle is aquatic or semi-aquatic).

All that said, once you are set up, they are very easy to take care of. Basically, feed them as directed, and clean the tank every few months. They are fun and have personalities.

Thanks for listening.

i scene two of these once in a pet store, one of them buried himself in the gravel at the bottom and would just poke it head up, while other one just kept swimming around, but there was no land? how long can they stay down?

Nevermind, those were softshell turtles

FenwayFaithful

"What type of dog is this?"

"It's not a dog, it's a turtle."

dcfaithful

Hitch-Hiker wrote:

or a tortoise.
I've never had a pet, not even a goldfish and I want one now.
Not getting a dog - too much work and I've been scared of them my whole life. Cats set off allergies so they're out.
I love birds so I was thinking of maybe getting a parakeet or something, but then the idea of a couple of little turtles hit me.
So anyone who's had them before have any advice or stories to tell? do share

Also, hello again everyone. It's been months since I've been here.

This is just my opinion, but go for a turtle before a bird. Bird's require a lot of upkeep, can be loud, and messy...and on top of that, I have never understood the want to cage something that can fly?? Talk about defying an animals anatomy and purpose. :?

Brony

i like tuttles

Who Princess

Badass tortoise:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ul0gfCyeiyM

pandora

I don't know, hard to cuddle a turtle, what about a gerbil or hamster? You know who else is sociable? the lizard type guys, the very colorful ones that live in an aquarium. When I had my salt water fish tank and we would visit the store for supplies they had these, way cute to watch climbing the trees. No smell either.

Lizard

You want one of these????


:shock:

chadwick

Hitch-Hiker wrote:

or a tortoise.
I've never had a pet, not even a goldfish and I want one now.
Not getting a dog - too much work and I've been scared of them my whole life. Cats set off allergies so they're out.
I love birds so I was thinking of maybe getting a parakeet or something, but then the idea of a couple of little turtles hit me.
So anyone who's had them before have any advice or stories to tell? do share

Also, hello again everyone. It's been months since I've been here.

get a reptile, amphibians fun times book.
do some research on turtles before getting on.
what kind of turtle?
where do you live?
can you go to a pond and find one?

RKCNDY

pandora wrote:

I don't know, hard to cuddle a turtle, what about a gerbil or hamster? You know who else is sociable? the lizard type guys, the very colorful ones that live in an aquarium. When I had my salt water fish tank and we would visit the store for supplies they had these, way cute to watch climbing the trees. No smell either.

Bearded Dragons are bad ass, and yes, get a turtle book and find out if you really want one or not...I got hermit crabs cuz I thought they were cool, I found them to be boring and smelly.

pjtradeking

I had a turtle when I was a kid as well...Loved him like a brother. Left him in a bucket of water one afternoon.....in the middle of winter....in the garage....and forgot....to ....bring ...him ....in!! My bad....So if you do get one, make sure to bring him inside when its cold..... :oops:

pandora

I must say a dog is your best friend. Once you love one you will never again be frightened and the love you share for that dogs lifetime will be one of the your most precious treasures. To spend your life not knowing this love is cheating yourself. You could start small, a little dog who needs a good home, a rescue situation. You could help each other. Maybe just think about it.

chadwick

turtles and snakes can be sensitive and have special needs.
warmth, fresh water, fresh food, most cases live food.
lots of space.
i do not believe in small enclosures.
you want your turtle to roam your home.
box turtles are cool.
painted turtles, very common turtle @ a pet store.
is that a eastern painted turtle or other?
is that a alligator snapping turtle eating my leg?
all reptiles and amphibians stinks.

how many flies do you think a tiny treefrog needs to survive?

youngster

I have 2 turtles, Bill and Ted, 2 Red Eared Sliders. They are cool and all but don't be fooled, there is a lot of work and $$ to invest. When they are little they are OK. All you have to do is take the turtles out of the little tank, empty the water and fill it back up.

When we got our turtles in 2006 their shells were smaller than a quarter. Now they are almost the size of an small plate. They are in a 75 gallon tank and the filter and tank needs to be cleaned and changed out about once a month. There are also filters, carbon, and all sorts of aquarium supplies you need. This all adds up. Don't forget food as well. They are cool pets but also a big commitment.

Also, many turtles can live 75-100 years if well cared for.

PJaddicted

http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/

I've kept turtles my entire life, now I have my wildlife rehabilitators license and take in sick and injured native turtles. Turtles live a long time and need very specialized habitats and nutrition to have a quality life. Check out the link I posted, it's the best one on the net.

TravisTheSky

I highly recommend pet mice. They are remarkably intelligent for their tiny size. They are like having wee baby monkeys with their soft fur and prehensile tails.

They easily learn words (well, intonations, probably.) Mine understand "Dinner!" "Back" "Toast!" "Ready to go?" and the song "Who wants to come out and get some exercise?"
I am working on getting the six week old octuplets to each learn their names. Another member at The Fun Mouse.com has done this successfully, and she has a LOT more mice than me.

Mice are great for people with limited funds and limited space. They cost almost nothing to feed bits of organic grain, crumbs of human food and produce. Several different personalities (females) can live in a few square feet of cage space. Or one very spoiled male mouse can be an extra-special pet.

Lauri

they are cute but they can spread some diseases so you have watch out for that. Also I don't know if this pertains to all turtles but I remember my friend had one in college that escaped almost every single day. They move a lot faster than they get credit for.

Oh also, I don't know the situation with turtles but I'm glad you're not getting a bird. I'm not familiar with all the details, but as far as I know the exotic pet bird trade is really sketchy.

chadwick

Lauri wrote:

they are cute but they can spread some diseases so you have watch out for that. Also I don't know if this pertains to all turtles but I remember my friend had one in college that escaped almost every single day. They move a lot faster than they get credit for.

Oh also, I don't know the situation with turtles but I'm glad you're not getting a bird. I'm not familiar with all the details, but as far as I know the exotic pet bird trade is really sketchy.

softshell turtles haul ass
i've found many of them when i was a kid
they are a hoot
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyUmGHdK9e8

Claireack

I think it would be easier if you got a turtleneck. They cost nothing to feed and you can play with them all you want.

haffajappa

man up and get a dog

eyedclaar

haffajappa wrote:

man up and get a dog

Dog...pfffft. This is what kind of pet real men have.