WHat turtle?
- Thread starter Wilczusia
- Start date
Crazy Pet Lady
New Member
Turtles are far more complicated to keep than most people realize. Go on the site TurtleForums and do your research. You'll be surprised what it is really all about and how much care they really need.
chameleon guy
New Member
Although I have never kept turtles I would say go with a red eared slider. But as others have posted be aware of the care requirements.
Julirs
New Member
The Dirtiest Turtles alive! I have 2 of them-lucky me in Florida I can keep them outside. They grow very very fast. You need the most fabulous filtration system around! $$$
chameleon guy
New Member
The Dirtiest Turtles alive! I have 2 of them-lucky me in Florida I can keep them outside. They grow very very fast. You need the most fabulous filtration system around! $$$
whoops never mind.
Julirs
New Member
common mistake of captive keepers
Of course you are meaning if they are overfed?
Yes-it is common for people to overfeed them. I guess people think it is cute to watch them eat. Even if you feed them properly, Sliders here in the heat of Florida grow quite quickly. They quickly outgrow tanks and produce alot of waste.
jojackson
New Member
Yes exactly Juli, many keepers overfeed and certainly dont take into account that in optimal temps =optimal metabolisn=optimal growth, such as in warm climates as you mention and often in captivity anywhere where they are kept warm year round.
Combine opt temps with enthusiastic overfeeding and the turtle will grow very quickly indeed. You end up with an animal who's skeletal development is overtaken by its growth
leading to weak structure, brittle bones, often MBD, and deformaties of the shell.
Sadly the number of poorly cared for captive turtles is equal to those of chameleons or other reptiles.
Sorry for the lack of clarity.
Combine opt temps with enthusiastic overfeeding and the turtle will grow very quickly indeed. You end up with an animal who's skeletal development is overtaken by its growth
leading to weak structure, brittle bones, often MBD, and deformaties of the shell.
Sadly the number of poorly cared for captive turtles is equal to those of chameleons or other reptiles.
Sorry for the lack of clarity.
Julirs
New Member
Yes exactly Juli, many keepers overfeed and certainly dont take into account that in optimal temps =optimal metabolisn=optimal growth, such as in warm climates as you mention and often in captivity anywhere where they are kept warm year round.
Combine opt temps with enthusiastic overfeeding and the turtle will grow very quickly indeed. You end up with an animal who's skeletal development is overtaken by its growth
leading to weak structure, brittle bones, often MBD, and deformaties of the shell.
Sadly the number of poorly cared for captive turtles is equal to those of chameleons or other reptiles.
Sorry for the lack of clarity.
The sad part is they are more affordable and easily available, here in FL we have people that sell them out of Vans on the side of the road! People get them and put them in small plastic containers, and then forget about them. Of course no one gives them proper lighting. It is very sad.
CHAMaDdIcT
New Member
i have some experience in turtle-keeping, does he want a tortoise or a turtle?
jojackson
New Member
This phrase is as misleading for any turtle species , as it is for any reptile species its applied to so often, still.
Any animal you intend to keep deserves indepth research into its captive care and husbandry needs before you buy it, regardless of species. There is no 'beginner' animal/species of anything. Care requirements differ, but for most aquatic turtles, husbandry needs in terms of housing, setup are similar.
Any species will get sick and die if you fail to care for it properly being aware of needs.
choose a species and research its needs carefully, or rather, your freind should.
Once you know what it needs, and have aquired and setup suitable housing and sourced a reliable source of foods, then go out and buy one.
There are no 'easy' 'bulletproof pets' for beginners, never were.
CHAMaDdIcT
New Member
jojackson is right, i got two sulcattas and now they are 100+ lbs and they devour a 50 pound bag of veggie scraps twice a week so as jojackson said, research the animal very thoroughly before you buy it
and they devour a 50 pound bag of veggie scraps twice a week so as jojackson said, research the animal very thoroughly before you buy it
Julirs
New Member
Like I said-tell your friend they purchased the diritest turtle alive. They also need UVB lighting and proper temp. gradients. They are primarily aquatic but need to get out of the water to bask. Also tell your friend to not overfeed. There are some good slider sites out there.
Similar threads
