BellaOnline Forums Home and Garden Exotic Pets Turtles!

Hi Diana!

I knew you waaaay back when here at Bella. I was a host for Freeware for a while. Anyway, I'm back because I'm thinking about getting a turtle or tortoise. And I could use all the help I can get! <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

If anyone has any experience raising small turtles/tortoises (not necessarily exotic ones), and can give me some pointers, I basically know *nothing*. I have goldfish, bettas, and seven cats--and a host of wild animals that are remarkably tame outside my home--but never had a reptile!

Hello!

I have had snakes, iguanas and aquatic turtles. The turtles I've had were either the tiny green ones that spend alot of their time in the water but DO require some sand or a rock in their enclosure. I have also had a box turtle and a snapping turtle (US variety - wild) that we kept outside in an enclosure.

For the aquatic turtles, we fed them turtle food (yep!!) with the occasional fresh lettuce or fruit. They were funny little fellows and loved to spend their time paddling around.

Aww, they sound adorable!!

I have a feeling aquatic is probably what I'll end up getting. It will really depend on what's available--I'm in NJ so I have to be a bad girl and go out of state for my turtle!

Since the habitat for different kinds of terrain-dependent turtles will be varied I'll have to choose before long, so I can get an enclosure or tank or something set up. I definitely do not want a turtle that will get to be too big, and I do not want one that will snap or bite badly (I realise a tiny turtle is not likely to do much damage if it bites!). I have 7 cats and even if I screen off the turtle's home there's always a chance the kitties might try to bat him around. Good thing turtles can hide in their shells! But I wouldn't want paws getting bitten <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

We have had a whole lot of turtles. I especially like the red slider. Most of my experience was in rehabilitation of injured and sick turtles. I guess we should do an article on turtles. Would love to be any help I can.

Snapping turtles grow. Turtles need a good size container. I had mine out side in ponds. Remind me to tell you THAT story someday!!
Diana

I know I don't want a snapping turtle. In fact I think I'm looking at a Southern painted, since they have good temperments and only grow about 3-5". I need something that won't get huge, and won't bite. So it sounds like a good breed for me <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

As is, I have a goldfish that will grow to 8 or 10", and a plecostomus that will grow to between 12 and 20", so I'm going to need a lot of BIG tanks in the coming years! As I upgrade to bigger ones I'll no doubt have smaller, but still big enough, tanks for a turtle <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

The painted turtle is a beauty. Though I would question the size. I have seen some pretty good size ones in Oklahoma. Though I'm not sure if they were a painted turtle or a southern painted turtle. I can see how they got their name though, like a beautiful piece of artwork.
Diana

It depends on the breed <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Southern painted turtles stay small. There are four different kinds found in various parts of the country. Pretty cool little creatures!!

Yes they are!
Diana