Where can I get a free baby red ear slider turtle for my daughter?

Answer 1

The cost of the turtle will cost you the least. A RES can be bought for $5-10, but they grow to be 8-12" and require a huge 100G tank or better a pond. A good filter will be needed and that will cost around $100. Electricity for the basking light runs about $5 a month, depending on hydro fees. They live over 20 years...

You can get away with keeping a hatchling RES in a 5-10G tank, but that will last you a year before it outgrows the tank. A turtle in a tank which is too small for it will dirty the water faster, and you'll be constantly doing water changes.

Anyway, my point is if money is an issue, a RES or a turtle is not a good pet to get. As for salmonella, I have a son as well and I keep over 20 turtles and tortoises. Turtles are pets to be watched, not handled, but if they are handled, wash your hands. Treat turtles and other reptiles like a piece of chicken and you'll be OK.

If you do want a free RES, you can look up your local reptile rescue, but they too will often charge an adoption fee ($20 or so) for vet and admin costs. However, most of these are not cute babies.

Here is a caresheet for RES:
http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Care/caresheet-red_ear_slider.htm

Here are articles about general turtle care:
http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Care/care.htm
http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Info/info.htm

Answer 2

Red ear slider get to be the size of a dinner plate. Some even larger. Keeping turtles is a very expensive hobby, as you need to invest in good filtration and tanks.

For every inch in length, a turtle needs 10 gallons of water. And they grow, rather quickly, this rule still applies.

I would suggest a different type of pet for your daughter. Maybe a hamster or a guinea pig?

Answer 3

Don't get her one at all - especially a baby turtle.

Turtles can be carriers of Salmonella, especially when young, and children just don't wash well enough after handling them.

Baby Red eared sliders were illegal to sell for the longest time because of this.

My son got Samonella from a red eared turtle - and it wasn't pleasant at all.

Answer 4

All reptiles have the potential to carry salmonella.
However only some serotypes of salmonella are from reptiles.
You can also get it from cats,dogs, raw meat, eggs, dairy & even some vegetables & fruits.

Having said that I still would not recommend any reptile for a small child. If the child is older & mature enough to understand you must ALWAYS wash up after handling a pet or anything the pet has touched (cage etc) than I would recommend a bearded dragon. They make great pets.

Answer 5

If you cant afford it, dont get it. What if it needs to go to the vets? Would you be able to afford to take it? Things like that need to be considered.

Answer 6

in a nice shop.

Answer 7

catch one