Question:I was thinking about getting a pet turtle. I want a small baby one. What is a good species of turtle that is gentle (as in it doesnt bite and stuff) and is easy to take care of? Any good species? I know a red ear slider is common but I would like some opinions. Can i get the pet turtle from the pet store? What else wil I need to buy? Any other details? THanx a abunch.
Answers:
Turtles have the possibility of passing salmenilla. After handling was hands thoroughly with soap and hot water.
You will need 10 gal per inch of shell The tank should be large enough to provide plenty of swimming room. The water should be twice as deep and the turtle is long. Red ear slider turtles can reach up to 12 inches in length and will need a custom built cage. Most places recommend a 6 foot by 6 foot. Red eared slider grow fast in thier first few years, gradually slowing as they age.
Most RES sold in pet stores around 5-6 inches in length already, so you will need a 60 gal tank, which will last until the turtle grows another inch. It is best to get as large a tank as possible so you are not buying a new tank every time it grows a little more.
When young RES are carnivorous, eating fish, insects, ect. As they age they are more vegetarians. Also feed a high protein pellet food. Buying cheap low protein food will effect health.
As for enclosure you need a basking area, and a swimming area. Turtles need a basking area to digest food, and they eat/eliminate in the water. You need to buy special lighting, a basking lamp for heat and a UVA/UVB light for vitamin D creation. Without vitamin D you turtle will get shell rot, and without basking light he will not be able to digest food. Air temp should be around 80 degrees F.
Turtles are very messy(waste producers) and you need a strong filter to clean the water.( I spent around 90 dollars for mine) You will also have to do a 25% water change bi-weekly(depending on size of cage). Remember they live in the water so you need it clean.
You need an under water heater and thermomitor. The water needs to be kept at around 75 degrees F.
The start up cost for a turtle is a few hundred dollars. If you are not going to take care of the animal properly and skimp on cage size, lighting, etc than it's best to find these guy a new home. Most people who decide to not provide proper care in the beginning never provide it.
Costs:
-Tank 75 gal: $150dollars +
-Filter: 60-100 dollars(best to get a strong one made for larger tanks so you don't have to replace tank and filter as the turtle grows)
-Rocks/platforms/ect: 30 dollars for one quality basking platform.
-Food- 10-15 dollars for a small container of pellets, 10 dollars for each container of crickets, bloodworms etc.
-tank water conditioner 3.00-5.00 dollars per pack, multiplied by 4 water changes a month
-Lights- UVA/UVB light $24-35, basking light $10-15. Lamps $20-40 each(need two), depends on the brand
-Water Heaters - $25-$100
-Vet care in case of emergency, etc can cost hundreds of dollars over turtles life.
Be prepared to care for this animal for over 20 years. They are costly and not as rewarding a pet as other animals, and not for everyone. Remember they do not like to be picked up, and half the time mine doesn't even like to be looked at.
Red ear slithers..
Great pets :]
a box turtle is a good pet but you should get it when it is little so it wouldnt bite you and get comfterbule around u
there is no pet turtle that is easy to take care of.
it is ALOT of money to get them the right living conditions.
but i would suggest red eared sliders. i would look it up on google, cas thats just way too much info to type!
good luck!
dont get one cause i had two one a bit smaller than a baseball the other the size of a gumball and both of them were very nasty i let one go and gave the other away after i begged my parents to have one. trust me you'll love it at first but after a while you forget its there untill you smell it
In the United States it is illegal to sell a turtle under 4 inches in diamater.
Most turtles get about 8-12" and as far as I know there is no such thing as a small turtle. Turtles live for a long time as well. (We're talking decades)
Turtles are also fairly dirty and require filtered water and regular water changes.
You will need:
An aquarium
Screen Lid
Filter (A good one can be quite costly)
Basking light
UV light
Food (Crickets, worms, veggies ect)
Basking spot
Water Conditioner
Some pet stores do carry turtles. Check petfinder because you probably have a local reptile rescue with turtles available.
Make sure to do plenty of reading before getting a new pet. Please have your turtles new home ready before you bring him home as well.
The average set up for a turtle is usually around $100-$150.
There are plenty of websites with more information...
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