Helpp with turtles please!?

Question

i live in new jersey, and i want a small turtle for a pet. i wouldd like it to fit in a fishtank or something like that... . and i would like to know what i should do to take care of him/her and where to get one? thanks (:

Answer 1

Turtles aren't easy.  This ain't "Cuff and Link on Rocky's table."

I don't care if it's a land, or a water.  Water takes room.  Land does.  All hatchling/babies are just TOO darlin, and GROW UP.

Some turtles take both (Reeves, for example).

You need to do some research, and first decide if you want to take on the responsibility for something which can live 30 yr. and longer, and if you have the space they need.

I can't help you with a "I haven't decided what I want yet" question.

A cute 1" RES baby (Red Ear Slider) can become a 10" or more female needing a 100 to 120 gal. aquarium.  And adults aren't so cute.  That patterning is for hiding in foilage as a baby.  The adults have a bland dark green shell.

Google your thought.  Check out land and water turtles, and those inbetween.

Once you find what you want, and have room for, and can provide proper care for?  Ask us for help if you need it.

We can only do so much.  We can't pick your pet for you.

You might want to reword your question to: I have enough room for a 100 gal. tank.  What can live in it as an adult?

I'm sorry I couldn't be of more help.

*** Oh, and PS?  There is NO such thing as a "small" turtle.  They don't come in dwarf or miniature.  The smallest can get 5-6", and they are expensive.  Do your research.  Decide what you actually have space for, and then choose a pet which can live in it.

Good luck!

Answer 2

I would definitely suggest a red-eared slider, yellow-bellied slider, map turtle, or mud turtle. These are all very good beginner snakes because they're all easy to care for. Just make sure you have a complete set-up before you buy the turtle, including a tank of appropriate size, a filter (over-rated one. i.e. if you have a 30 gallon tank than get a filter rated for a 50 gallon tank.), food, a basking lamp with a 75 or 100 watt spot heat lamp, and some sort of bacteria culture solution for the filter to make it work better.  

Answer 3

Turtles tend to get to the size of a dinner plate. Aquatic turtles are NOT for beginners. They require A LOT of hard work. They will out live you, meaning it's a lifetime dedication. If you get bored of it, or it gets too much work, you are stuck with it. You can't just abandon it. It's like a child, they are hard work, but you don't just give them up. The rewards outweigh the hard work. I'd recommend you get a tortoise. They are a little bit easier to care for because you don't have to deal with water changing, but they are more expensive. Russian tortoises are good for beginners. I spend $350+ USD just to give you a heads up.

Answer 4

some turtles can get really big. you're gonna need a large fish tank if you want it to be happy. they like live bugs and worms. they smell horrible if you don't clean their home. they're a lot of work. i had to give away my turtle because of it's scent. they're great pets, for some people.

                                                     Good Luck!

Answer 5

If you have allot of $$$$ and start out with a 55 gal plus size tank and great filtration system for Aquatic turtles I say do it! They are the cutest!

Petco in Calif sells them for 17.99.

Start at Walmart 55 gallon tank with filter and hood and tank light for $153.00 you'll have to get large gravel so they don't swallow it looking for worms like they do in the wild. The bigger the environment the bigger the healthier the turtle.

Did you know that they need to bask under a reptile light UVA for 8 to 10 hrs a day for the vitamin D that they need to grow. So that means getting a turtle dock also.

Leave the heater on 75 to 78 degrees always.

Their water needs to be clean otherwise they get sick easily from dirty water cause they p**p allot.

You need a good filter system! Gravel larger than they can swallow.

You need to feed them feeder guppies, goldfish or minnows for protein and calcium daily drop 20 or so in the tanks and watch them disappear! This way when they swim for their dinner they get exercise also!

TOSS in a bird cuttle bone in the water for calcium. it will dissolve real slow and if they eat it that’s fine!!

They can have garden worm, meal worms, crickets, flies, crayfish and  anything that moves!

They need leafy greens Romaine, Butter lettuce. (Iceberg and cabbage are bad for them, any other leafy greens will do) for vitamin A that they need at least 3 to 4 times a week.

Total Body length: 5-8" average, up to 12 inches max. Life span: 15-25+ years

Males have the longer front nails.. And are considered mature at 5 yrs old. You can start sexing till at least 3” across.

You probably already know that they get sick easily, shell rot, respiratory sickness, lopsided swimming, coughing, blowing bubbles, Swollen cloudy eyes means lacking in Vitamin A. Which we all need for good eyes. Google ‘vegetables with Vitamin A.

I wish you luck.

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