I want to get a turtle...?

Question

Just a little one, because I have cats, one that wont get too big and isnt too hard to take care of. Any advice?

Answer 1

Get a Russian Tortoise. They say small and are vegetarians so you don't have to feed them any yucky bugs.
Don't mind yucky bugs? Get a Chinese Box Turtle. Again, stays small and cute. They are omnivores and need vegetables, fruit and meat, in the form of worms, feeder fish, snails. Yucky bugs :)
Do lots of research on any new pet BEFORE you get it. There's lots about tortoises you need to know to keep it happy and healthy. You can type Russian Tortoise into Yahoo Search and lots of sites will come up. Better is to get a book. They have to be fact checked, while any idiot can say anything on the Internet.
Good Luck

EDIT: The risk of salmonilla is small if you wash your hands after you touch him. Turtles and tortoises have natural defences against cats. It's called a shell. I've seen a Labrador try to break one open and failed. It was FINE. Don't worry about stress either. They are tough little guys. The species I mentioned stay small, around 5-8 inches (sorry, I don't do metric) in shell diameter.

Answer 2

Most turtles get big. Even if people tell you it doesn't. And don't listen to them if they tell you that they will only grow to the size of their cage. That's not true. They will grow regardless of the cage size. Also turtles are not very easy to care for. They need special heating and special UV lighting made for reptiles. Also they need a large part water part land enclosure. They need to be able to get out of the water completely to bask in the warm light. They need specially prepared food and a power full filter for their water. They are very messy. If you're willing to do all of the work and spend the money to set up the enclosure properly turtles can make great pets. Here is a great web site with care articles and info for most types of turtles. Good luck http://www.austinsturtlepage.com

Answer 3

I have a small turtle and he's VERY easy to take care of. I give 2 bottles of 9oz water every week along with some Turtle food and pieces of lettuce occasionally and I clean his tank once a month w/new bedding. He's so quite, that sometimes we forget about him. I recommend this sort of pet for people that don't really have a lot of time or patience to care for one. Plus, they live a long time and they could possibly out live you. I even read that people who own turtles assign a guardian should the owner pass away because they live so long. Good Luck!!!

Answer 4

The little turtles die easily and also have been found to carry salmonella. Well really all reptiles can carry salmonella, but these little turtles can't even be sold in Florida unless its for a classroom where the teacher can make sure nobody touches them or that hands are washed immediately. and the cats may try to get at him which can cause stress.

Answer 5

Just remember those little turtles grow up to be big turtles. And they do carry the Salmonella bacteria, you have to make sure its terrarium or tank is kept clean at all times, brush up on proper food and diet and health risks first.

Answer 6

i have two eastern sliders. they are beautiful creatures, but they do grow to be kinda big. my suggestion is to not get a turtle because the equipment required is expensive (terrarium, heat lamp, rocks, decoration, night lamp, dock, food, medicine, etc) and they do just die for no apparent reason sometimes. all reptiles carry salmonella, and kids dont know to not put their hands in their mouths after handling them, so my suggestion is to not get turtles if you have kids. all turtles are somewhat hard to take care of (cleaning the tank is my least favorite chore, and it has to be done weekly.)

Answer 7

I'd Get a RES [Red eared slider] they do grow kinda big but its a hardy turtle. And not too hard to take care of.

Answer 8

you mite can find one in pet stores that specialize in reptiles......but beware, turtles are notorious for carrying salmonella, wash your hands EVERYTIME after you handle it. red-eared sliders are the most common but live mostly in the water, and your water dish will need to be cleaned every day, it gets smelly real fast. i would recommend a tortoise. they get bigger but are a little easier to care for. and tortoises live a loooonng time and over time will become more of a "pet", eating from your hands etc.......good luck!!

Answer 9

You will have to look around at various pet stores in your area to see if they have the little turtles. Some don't carry them.

Answer 10

Turtle is okay. U can try a hamster or a small rabbit.