turtles??

**lovemyshiba** · 08-12-2003, 12:29 PM

A few weeks ago, my husband was driving home, and stopped to move a turtle out of the middle of the road so it wouldn't get hit.
Ever since he told me the story, I find myself wanting to get a turtle.

I know nothing about them, except that my sister had one growing up, named Myrtle

, but she went to the RB.

So anyone who has a turtle, if I could get some information, I would appreciate it.
What do turtles eat?
What kind of environment do they need?
How long do they live?
My husband says they smell--do they???

**Uabassoon** · 08-12-2003, 12:37 PM

I've been wanting a turtle too ever since I pet sat for one. He was so cute, he was a rescued desert tourtise and he only had three legs. He lived in a huge outdoor terrrarium, they live out in the middle of nowhere so they fenced in a big area of desert for him so it would be just like his natural surroundings. He was so cute when he ate, I would give him cactus berries sometimes and the red juice just looked so cute all around his mouth.

**CathyBogart** · 08-12-2003, 12:54 PM

Aquatic or terrestrial turtles?

**lovemyshiba** · 08-12-2003, 01:32 PM

I know nothing about turtles--which would be better for a pet--aquatic or terrestrial????

**wolfsoul** · 08-12-2003, 02:31 PM

I would rather have a terrestrial because they would probably tolerate being held more. Aquatic ones should live in a fish tank or a pond.

**Desert Arabian** · 08-12-2003, 03:58 PM

I personally like aquatic turtles a lot.

Here are some websites about owning turtles:

Turtle Times - Great turtle website with tons of information
Everything You Need To Know About Raising Healthy Turltes- Great website with tons of information on land and aquatic turtles/tortoises.
The Turtle Forums- Sorta like Pet Talk, except it's about turtles
Owning and Care of a Pet Turtle
Owning A Pet Turtle

You could also go to your local library and check out some books on owning turtles and tortoises.

**primabella** · 08-12-2003, 05:24 PM

All I know about turtles is that I have a T-shirt with a very cute one:
Front -

Back -

Hehe

My cousins used to own a few. They lived in the water though and they stank.I hope you get one (if it's right for you and everything.) They're so cute

**Karen** · 08-12-2003, 05:27 PM

Turtles don't stink. Their water might, if you don't change it often enough ...

Different kinds of turtles and tortoises have different needs, so it all depends!

**Number9** · 08-12-2003, 05:34 PM

SMello Again., ive got a Chinese Box Turtle have for about 5,6 years. Hes Never Been To active only When i let him roam aroud outside, hell dig small holes and hide under stuff...They Dont Really stink Much , you just have to clean there cages out. Ive fed my turtle All sorts of Things Salads, All Sorts of Fruits and Vegs Cut up, loves MAggots/Meal worms, Bannanas Were A Fav.. Umm Even Dried Or In the Can Cat Food..... But lately just Fruits and Worms... ive tried Heat Rocks, heat lamps, and Heat Pads... They work OK but i just use a regular Plug in the wall Heater next to his cage, and He really likes the old Shoe box Shade Cover, i use to use those little Rocks for the bottom of his cage, but usually its just Newspapers He likes tearing them up and gettin under stuff...anyways just got some unexpected company from a couple a freinds so im outta here...

**kingrattus** · 08-13-2003, 12:09 AM

I have had Axle for 3 years now, & he doesn't stink. All u need is a really good water filter & fish. Axle lives with over 200 swordfish. He doesn't eat too many of them cause his eye is larger then most of them, & its not worth the effort. But the fish r fun to watch & help clean up after Axle's meals. Axle eats mostly mean & we all know what rotten meat smells like. so the fish eat the left over meat & poof no smell. well the filter does a great job because I put extra charcol & amonia rock in it to clean better.

Did I mention Axle is a 10 pound Snapping Turtle that lives in 160 gallon pond in my bedroom.

Axles filter after a big messy meal & the fishies

Just after his 3rd birthday.

can't find a pic of the whole pond, oh well.

**luckies4me** · 08-13-2003, 08:07 PM

Hey! I have a tortoise, if you are interested in learning about tortoises.

I love land animals much better lol.

Lucy has a pen, but also has full run of our house as well. He is a protective species and you need a permit to keep him, but he basically has the same needs, or very similar to other tortoises. We give him natural sunlight, but you will need to have a heat lamp and UVA/UVB light in order for him to recieve everything he needs and digest his food. You will need to get a Vitamin D, and Calcium supplement. I also keep liquid Vitamin E around just in case any puffy eyes occur. Tortoise kept in captivity often lack Vit. E.

Lucy eats tortoise pellets, and the rest is all fresh food. He gets several types of fruits and veggies including:

Cactus and cactus apple
Spinach
bananna
apple
pear
green and red leaf lettuce
boch choy
kale
broccoli

and other things lol.

I soak him in the bathtub every other day in warm water, which helps him digest his food and go potty, hehe.

He doesn't smell, and is actually very clean. He does love the outdoors though, and goes outside every day.

**Aspen and Misty** · 08-13-2003, 08:34 PM

As far as I know--

Turtles are illegal in Pa

you might wanna check up on that, good luck though and if you get one, we wanna see pics!!! (And I wanna meet him or her!)

Ash

**GoldenRetrLuver** · 08-16-2003, 12:14 PM

I have 6 desert tortoises.

They are a protective species, and you need a permit to own one. (like luckies4me said).

I used to feed a variety of store bought foods, but then found out it ruins the condition of their shells. They now eat grass, weeds (which they LOVE!) , different types of flower petals, rose petals, and sprinkle a litte calcium over their food.