Turtles/Tortoises

[Vizier]

How many of you have had these cool creatures?

I've been taking care and even breeding fresh water turtles, red-eared sliders, box turtles and desert tortoises pretty much my entire life. If you manage to keep them long enough and treat them well, they do recognize you, especially when it's feeding time.

Anyone else has a fascination for these slow, durable and resistant creatures? I believe I am knowledgable enough on this matter to answer most questions about said animals.

Any of you have had experiences with them, too?

[SHARP]

I've had a couple of Red Eared Sliders some 15+ years ago, pretty neat little guys, but IIRC one shouldn't get one's fingers near their mouths.

I had them for a couple o' years, later I gave them to my school, and everyone in my class would get a kick out of having turtles in the class room.
Then I got kicked out, thanks a bunch, assholes.:D

I believe I am knowledgable enough on this matter to answer most questions about said animals.

Just got an idea, remind me to put your name on a list I'm compiling.
The plan is to sticky it when there's enough people on it.

I think it'd be nice to have a list of people who knows their stuff about the various animals we keep/have kept, that way it's easier for someone asking a question to find out if there's someone in particular they need to get a hold of.

Naturally xxombie would be obvious to ask about rats, there was a couple o' guys on Totse that kept a bunch of snakes (IIRC it was Jolt89 & emag, hope you're still around), rumor has it that I know a bit about spiders and various other bugs, and so on and so forth.

Whaddaya think?

[Vizier]

Sounds like a pretty good idea. Count me in.

[SHARP]

Done!

[yawanur]

I have a eastern painted, maybe 3", and I used to have two blanding's that were about 8-9" carapace when I gave them up to the fish/wildlife service cause they're endangered, and now they're at the New England Aquarium. All were caught in my friend's pool as hatchlings, and after reading up on hatchling care online I'm surprised I was able to keep them all alive. My painted now lives in a 40 gallon with a 3" sunfish, but I'm in the process of constructing a 100 gallon tank, so I want to add another painted to keep mine company. The painted really liked interacting with the blandings, even though they were so big they ignored him and punted him if he got in their way. Problem is my two blandings were both male and very aggressive towards each other.

Based on the tail I think my painted is female, but I'm not sure, and I really don't want another male that will harass the female. If I posted pics, do you think you could ID my painted? And do you think a couple of eastern mud turtles [female hopefully] would get along with the painted in my 100 gallon? I'd buy the mud's as hatchlings from www.kingsnake.com or something probably. The 100 gallon would be maybe 70 gallons full, with a side section dedicated to a filter area with plants and such, but there would still be tons of space.

I'm actually open to really any turtle that will stay under 6" and do fine with my eastern painted. Ideas?

[Vizier]

That enclosure sounds fantastic for those kind of turtles. I am not sure about painted turtles, but with red-eared sliders the male turtle is the one with large claws in its front feet and a long, pointy tail. Females seem to be a little bigger and a rather small tale. I've owned 2 sliders; male and female for about twelve years now. They are around 10 inches long and have never fought or mated either, mainly do to their tank and lack of egg-laying area.

I also caught a mud turtle that was bleeding and wandered in my yard a long time ago. I kept it outside however, along with a box turtle. They sometimes fought when the box turtle got in the water, but other than that they never had trouble. They slept and hibernated together, and quickly adapted to me giving them food and letting them roam around for a while.

I doubt you can find a turtle that stays 6 inches long for a long time. The newest red-eared slider I own is almost four years old and it around 3 or 4 inches long already.

Pics would also be appreciated. In aquatic turtles I believe you can determine the gender usually by the tail, the claws and the eye color. Male turtles can sometimes be aggressive, although in my experience they don't seem to care much about territory.

[AtrainV]

So, my girlfriend and I have been thinking about getting a turtle as a pet. We haven't put much thought into it really, but we have a name (so that's a start... haha). Since I live in Singapore, there may be different varieties of turtles available than many of you are used to, but I'd really be interested in recommendations that you might have. We really haven't done much research, but if some of you know the answers to a few of our questions, it might be very helpful.

Here are a few questions:

1. How much upkeep do most turtles require? Is it usually a "feed once a day" kind of pet, or can it go longer?

2. Although I'm sure it depends on the type, what kind of aquarium is best for a turtle?

3. Are there any unforseen difficulties that arise from taking care of a turtle as opposed to another type of pet?

4. Do you have any recommendations of types of turtles which make better pets than others?

[Vizier]

Here are a few questions:

1. How much upkeep do most turtles require? Is it usually a "feed once a day" kind of pet, or can it go longer?

2. Although I'm sure it depends on the type, what kind of aquarium is best for a turtle?

3. Are there any unforseen difficulties that arise from taking care of a turtle as opposed to another type of pet?

4. Do you have any recommendations of types of turtles which make better pets than others?

1. They are actually cheap pets. I've noticed they seem hungrier in afternoon. Usually turtle pellets or stuff that has some amount of calcium works. I feed mine twice a day in summer and very little during winter, and they are a little overweight. Whenever you catch an insect that isn't poisonous or something you can feed them that too.

2. Any large container will do. Hell, I keep mine in a 1x2x.50 meter plastic container with around three or four buckets of water and rocks for them to bask in the window sometimes. Be sure to keep the water clean though, as that is the real hassle in keeping those pets.

3. Clean water most importantly. If you can afford a filter or some cleaning system, go for it. Also be sure to wash your hands very well if you handle them. With good food and clean environment, they seldom get sick or have trouble. They make hardy, easy to care for pets. If you need to travel or something, feed them generously before you leave and they can survive days without food. They do however, need sunlight once in a while. Sometimes as they grow, they will shed their shell plates. You can help it buy removing loose plates yourself and throwing them away. Most reptiles shed their skin as they grow up, turtles are no exception.

4. Taking care of freshwater turtles is similar to having a fish aquarium, except it's much, much easier and I find it more entertaining. It's easy; just remember:
a: Clean water at all times
b: Learn its feeding patterns
c: Sunlight now and then
d: Wash your hands if you handle them

Be sure to give it space and a comfortable setting. Enjoy your turtle :)

[AtrainV]

Awesome! Thanks for the advice.

[yawanur]

Eastern painted's max out at 8", sliders grow up to a foot. That's why yours grew so fast. Eastern mud turtles stay under 5" and there is an engdangered species called the bog turtle that stays under 4". Check out http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/
I'll post pics soon.

[Face Ache]

I have a tortoise called Adolf, I've had him for around 2yrs now I think. He's one of my favourite pets. He really likes our cats and tends to always climb on their cushions to sleep with them.

[Nisko]

Always wanted to get a few..

[Dysgraphia]

I've had a pair of red ear sliders.

They made really nice company. Easy to take care of. Cute, fun to feed and grow relatively fast.

And yes, feeding's the best part. They can just sense when dinner's coming when I came up with bits of smoked salmon. I miss them.

[Rainycity]

i like how you can get sick from them, do they make good turtle soup, which turtle do you recommend, did you ever eat a turtle.

[SHARP]

i like how you can get sick from them, do they make good turtle soup, which turtle do you recommend, did you ever eat a turtle.

Don't go there...

[Vizier]

i like how you can get sick from them, do they make good turtle soup, which turtle do you recommend, did you ever eat a turtle.

You get sick from them if you don't wash their tank or wash your own hands after :o

The only turtle meat I've tried is a dish called "Cahuamanta"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cahuamanta

It's been outlawed though so the meat is now made of manta ray, shrimp, etc. I still feel bad about eating sea turtle meat when I was younger, lol, even tho it's delicious.

:hrmph:

[yawanur]

Over the summer I had my painted outside roaming around and lost track of him. Kinda sucks, but he was plenty old enough to be living on his own, about 4" long, and he's native so he's probably doing fine.

I'm planning on setting up my 100 gallon this spring and catching 2-3 eastern painted hatchlings along with a whole stock of fish to make a permanent set up.


I doubt you can find a turtle that stays 6 inches long for a long time. The newest red-eared slider I own is almost four years old and it around 3 or 4 inches long already.


Red ears are renowned for growing really fast, it's one of the qualities that makes them such a great invasive species. Painted's usually top out around 7-9", plus their native, so I think I'll stick with them for now.

Until I go balls out and buy a mata mata! :D

[Azure]

I've had a couple of Red Eared Sliders some 15+ years ago, pretty neat little guys, but IIRC one shouldn't get one's fingers near their mouths.

I had them for a couple o' years, later I gave them to my school, and everyone in my class would get a kick out of having turtles in the class room.
Then I got kicked out, thanks a bunch, assholes.:D



Just got an idea, remind me to put your name on a list I'm compiling.
The plan is to sticky it when there's enough people on it.

I think it'd be nice to have a list of people who knows their stuff about the various animals we keep/have kept, that way it's easier for someone asking a question to find out if there's someone in particular they need to get a hold of.

Naturally xxombie would be obvious to ask about rats, there was a couple o' guys on Totse that kept a bunch of snakes (IIRC it was Jolt89 & emag, hope you're still around), rumor has it that I know a bit about spiders and various other bugs, and so on and so forth.

Whaddaya think?

I know quite a lot about keeping Monitors, but the knowledge applies to most lizard species as well.

[Vizier]

Until I go balls out and buy a mata mata! :D

Yeah, they look badass. Just fill a huge tank with dry leaves and throw a couple of mata matas in there. It would be sweet :thumbsup:

http://www.wildlifearchives.com/images/animals/reptiles/mata-mata-2.jpg

[SHARP]

I know quite a lot about keeping Monitors, but the knowledge applies to most lizard species as well.

That was a 2000 year old post you quoted :D, by now the compendium is up and running although it'll need an overhaul; I'll add you right away to the Reptiles section.

[Dave]

What's the deal with those guys anyway? Whats the difference?

[reject]

It's my life ambition to have a tortoise called Totse.

[Dysgraphia]

It's my life ambition to have a tortoise called Totse.

You know what. I'm gonna buy a turtle. And carve Totse on it.

[not me]

i like turtles

[SHARP]

What's the deal with those guys anyway? Whats the difference?

Here you go. (http://www.diffen.com/difference/Tortoise_vs_Turtle)

i like turtles

Zombie kid!:D

[Yggdrasil]

We keep three Red-Footed tortoises. Keeping them in an enclosure has been a pain in the ass and given how poorly we feed and care for them I'm actually shocked they've lived as long as they have. I wish we could take better care of them :(

[Vizier]

We keep three Red-Footed tortoises. Keeping them in an enclosure has been a pain in the ass and given how poorly we feed and care for them I'm actually shocked they've lived as long as they have. I wish we could take better care of them :(

What do you feed them? Do they have pyramiding (keratin cones forming on their shells?)

[Yggdrasil]

What do you feed them? Do they have pyramiding (keratin cones forming on their shells?)

Well, the two tortoises that we've raised since they were hatched have no real pyramiding, so I guess their diet isn't all bad.. We feed them mostly dried dog food (LOL :D) with a good deal of leftover/spoiled fruits and veggies to boot. A third tortoise that we have, of the same species, was given to us by a family friend who retrieved it from a household where it was pretty badly abused, for lack of a better word. The poor thing was kept in a small glass box barely big enough for it to be able to turn its body, and its carapace is deformed, and it does have significant pyramiding. That was already present when we got it, though, and I've read that it doesn't go away.

We currently keep them in a pretty ample enclosed habitat, but it's mostly just plain wood and some dirt/caked shit, and I don't think they're all too comfortable there. We could let them roam in the backyard free, but then they might get stolen, or crawl under the fence and escape, or get hurt by our dogs, etc etc.

[Old Blind Man]

Whats the appeal of turtles for you guys?

Just awesome to watch/ fascinated by them?

They don't have the capability to develop a bond with thier owner or show affection?

Thats what kind of throws me on pets like that... ideal pet for me is one you can have a relationship with... play with them/like being played with, loyalty... set of emotions basically.

[Vizier]

Well, the two tortoises that we've raised since they were hatched have no real pyramiding, so I guess their diet isn't all bad.. We feed them mostly dried dog food (LOL :D) with a good deal of leftover/spoiled fruits and veggies to boot. A third tortoise that we have, of the same species, was given to us by a family friend who retrieved it from a household where it was pretty badly abused, for lack of a better word. The poor thing was kept in a small glass box barely big enough for it to be able to turn its body, and its carapace is deformed, and it does have significant pyramiding. That was already present when we got it, though, and I've read that it doesn't go away.

We currently keep them in a pretty ample enclosed habitat, but it's mostly just plain wood and some dirt/caked shit, and I don't think they're all too comfortable there. We could let them roam in the backyard free, but then they might get stolen, or crawl under the fence and escape, or get hurt by our dogs, etc etc.

It's all good; just lower the dog food diet a bit. Turtles don't really need that much protein.
Whats the appeal of turtles for you guys?

Just awesome to watch/ fascinated by them?

They don't have the capability to develop a bond with thier owner or show affection?

Thats what kind of throws me on pets like that... ideal pet for me is one you can have a relationship with... play with them/like being played with, loyalty... set of emotions basically.

I dunno, I find them more interesting or a reason or another than dogs or cats and to some extent are easier to take care of and live for a very long time. I just like their passive nature; or maybe it's because I watched too much Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles when I was like 4, who knows.