Anyone own a turtle?

Mama_SAS · May 2010

I was just offered a turtle. Do they make good pets? Do they require a lot of work?

crownedbee · May 2010

I don't have one because they are a lot of work.

I was *thisclose* to getting one but I looked into how much work it was to keep them clean and healthy...a lot. I would never own a turtle with a toddler and a baby on the way.

greenclown · May 2010

We had one when I was little. I don't think there is a pet on this earth that smells as bad as a turtle. I love them, but I'd never have another one.

angiegail78 · May 2010

What kind of turtle? Some of them need to be kept in water and some don't. My mom has a Rocky Mountain Terapin that basically just roams around the house. Very low maintainence.

They do require a special vitamin D light though.

weelass24 · May 2010

They carry some diseases. Not sure what, but it is illegal to sell them as pets in NJ.

Melaneigh1 · May 2010

My friend used to have a tiny little turtle names Marston. We accidentally left Marston in the car when we were driving to her Dad's in Colorado, a snowstorm closed the interstates, and we had to spend the night in a church. We buried Marston in Rocky Mtn. Nat'l Park.

fabbate13 · May 2010

I had one in high school. I didn't think they took a lot of work. I had him in a terrarium in my room, but then he was a noisy eater and clunked around to early in the morning and he then lived in my backyard for several years. I made sure he had veggies to eat and some water to drink and swim in and he was good out there for a long long time. His name was Shelldon. Our first turtle was named Mr. T.

angiegail78 · May 2010

weelass24:
They carry some diseases. Not sure what, but it is illegal to sell them as pets in NJ.

That's right! Salmonela. Might not be the best to have one in your house with a toddler unless you make sure he's washing his hands after touching it.

Mysterious_wife · May 2010

With a toddler and a baby on the way I say no. they carry e-coli.(ok, so I was close salmonila) If the kids were old, sure why not. My concern is the toddler playing with the turtle than touching the baby and/or baby things.

edit to fix my goof.

Que*Sera*Sera · May 2010

They are not good to have while pg or around small children because they are prone to carrying salmonella

chickaboo1974 · May 2010

I had a red ear slider-- spends most of his time in the water. A TON of work to make sure he was healthy and honestly a ton of money too. I had him for a long time- he was about 8 inches in diameter and then my sister's BIL had two and had an awesome habitat for them so Toby went to live there.

Our friends in AZ have a desert tortoise- he lives in their courtyard and doesn't need a lot of water. He is only 10 inches in diameter, but becareful some tortoises - I think they are called sulcattas or African desert tortoises- can get so big that they weigh 150 pounds. A adaptable tortoise is the Russian, I almost got one but it was not practical with 3 dogs.

Mama_SAS · May 2010

Thanks, I just turned them down. I was so caught off guard by the offer I didn't know what to think. It's not every day someone offers you a turtle.

californiastars · May 2010

I got a tortoise (no water needed) for my 15th birthday. His cage stunk even when I cleaned it (once a week). Giving him a bath was a pain because he didn't like water (once a week). His heat lamp alway had to be on and it kept me awake along with his clunking around all night long.

His name was Filbert (Fil) and I loved him but he was kind of a pain in the butt. When I moved to college Fil went to a home with two younger (10 or 11) boys.

ValentineBB · May 2010

My husband's favorite childhood pet was his turtle, Bud. Poor Bud ran away one day. I'm not entirely sure how a turtle runs away, but apparently it happens.

Melaneigh1 · May 2010

ValentineBB:
My husband's favorite childhood pet was his turtle, Bud. Poor Bud ran away one day. I'm not entirely sure how a turtle runs away, but apparently it happens.

I'm thinking mom and dad accidentally sucked him up with the vacuum or ran over him. My neighbors brought a turtle home that they found, and my mom ran over it with the van. Not on purpose, it was sitting under the tire, and we definitely weren't expecting it to be there.

mmkaye · May 2010

I have a turtle (painted turtle) that is named Tator. She is some work, but not too much. My aquariums required far more effort. Once the turtle is larger than 5-6 inches they no longer carry salmonella.

I should take better care of her than I do, but ever since I got the filter for her tank and put her in the 29 gallon, I have really slacked off. I am a bad turtle mom

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