Pet Turtles

AlexsPajamaMama wrote: We went to my brother's house today and they have two pet turtles. They are soooooooo cute!!
I have always wanted one...and seeing those today sooo made me want to go look into getting one.

Here are some pics!


This is the girl one looking out over the top!!



Anyone have one or ever have one before??

MamaJAM replied: We've never had turtles...but know a few people who do have them. I know the biggy is that everyone wash their hands after they touch or feed the turtles. And it's not recommended to have them in a house with really small kids who are often putting their hands in their mouths.

Definately do some research though -- can't complain much about a pet that stays in a small tank most of the time (no long dog hair on the sofa ).

luvmykids replied:
That is because they are known to carry salmonella, right?

They are cute though!

Crystalina replied: We had box turtles growing up and they aren't that bad. Ours always ran around the house. I know the kind in your picture that like the water, they can get pretty stinky so just keep that in mind. You might want to ask your friend how often he cleans out the cage. They just get a musty wet smell.

Good luck if you get one. They are pretty low maintenence but the best thing, like has already been stated, is do your research first.

MamaJAM replied:
I'm pretty sure that's the reason. The health of the turtles you can buy in stores today is better than years ago...but it's still a concern.

AlexsPajamaMama replied: Well, I have looked at a few sites and I found on all of them that
pet reptiles are a common source of infection from Salmonella in children.

So if/when we get a turtle the tank will be kept high enough so that Alex cant reach in, and he wont be touching it at all.

Im going to call the local pet stores tomorrow and ask a few questions

DH says we do not need a turtle, but he knows that I have wanted one forever so he is letting me go about my "crazy business"!!

luvbug00 replied: I've had seven..

Huey 1-4 ( huey, huey2 etc...)

yoshi 5-7

I love them!! yep keep them hands clean! but they are sooo cute!

3xsthefun replied: I'm not trying to be rude. So please, please do not take this the wrong way.


But....the tank they have the turtles is way to small for them. They need a 50 gallon tank at least for two.

We have a Red Ear Slider and she is in a 20 gallon tank.

I would suggest doing some research before going out and getting a turtle.

My3LilMonkeys replied: We had pet turtles when I was a kid and I loved them.

Ours were of the "found them in the woods" variety though, not pet store ones.

jacobsmama replied:
Dito...My brother is 11 now and he has one now that he got from woods behind our house..they are fun to watch.

Brias3 replied: My old college roommate had two turtles and their aquarium was located right outside my bedroom (my room happened to be next to our study nook). All I remember is that they SMELLED. Maybe she didn't clean them enough or maybe I was just sensitive to "reptile smell" but that's my recollection. Cute, yes, but they were never my type of pet. That picture of the one looking over the side is super cute though!

CantWait replied:
ITA, but they are cute, and fairly easy to care for.