Has anyone had a turtle or a frog?

Question

My kids want a fish, but I said a turtle or a frog instead. How do you take care of it? Does it smell? What does it eat? Can you get ones that stay small?

Answer 1

We have 16 desert box turtles - all outside in a big turtle pen. Once a week, we pick out fresh fruits and vegetables for them at the store and my kids find worms and grasshoppers to feed them as well. (we live close to nowhere) Turtles will also eat rabbit food. They hiberate during the winter, so we don't see them for a few months though. I had turtles in high school that lived in an aquarium inside and they never hibernated. They grow very slowly - probably less than 1/4 an inch a year. They can smell if you don't change their bedding every week.

Our freshwater fish are easier to take care of because it takes 10 seconds to feed them each night. The tricky (and pricey) part is getting the aquarium set up and ready for fish. We clean the tank and change the filters every 2 to 3 weeks, taking about an hour total each cleaning. I would recommend buying inexpensive fish. My kids have a goldfish named Nemo and a Betta called Dory!!

I've never had a frog, but whatever type of animal you decide to get, it is important to do alot of research about caring for the different types of animals. Also, make sure you know before hand how much their cage/aquarium and food will cost. Pets are a great way to teach kids responsibility and about nutritional needs. Good luck!!

Answer 2

All the turtles that you can buy in a pet store will get about a foot across the shell. Unless you get a good filter system you will have to change the water every 2 weeks. If you don't it will smell. Turtles will eat turtle food, small to large goldfish, earthworms, crickets, uncooked chicken. You will pay around 11-22.00 for one turtle.

Frogs come in all shapes and sizes. Most of the frogs you can get in a pet store can get from the size of your mouse on your computer to the size of a small chicken. All frogs eat crickets. Some will eat mice. Again you will have to get a good filter for the frogs. Or your tank will stink.

Both of the amphibians truly don't like to be held. Fish are much easier. Goldfish or a betta would be good begininer fish.

Answer 3

If this is their first pet and you're not sure how well they will take care of it, personally, I would go with the fish over the frog or turtle. A simple goldfish requires practically no work, and kids like to watch them swim around and make fish faces.
I've had frogs and fish, and the frogs require more maintenance. I've never had a turtle, but I'm sure they are even more work than frogs. I've also heard that they can spread salmonella if handled. You really aren't supposed to touch pet frogs either since the oil on your hands can harm them. At least with fish, it's easy for kids to understand they can't really "play" with them!

Answer 4

Turtle no doubt. Turtles are way better pets, I would start out with a baby river cooter or a red eared slider, we have one you will need a 55 gallon or more tank when they get big, but in the end you will be much happier. They will get pretty big though we have found some about one foot long. Unless you get a river cooter or a red eared slider from a baby they will probably bite or captive bred probobly wont bite. You can almost never hold a frog. They are not really even that fun to look at. Anyway I would not suggest a frog. But if you are very limited then get a frog they are cheaper but not as good as pets I have had them both and I like the River cooter better. You will not be able to find a river cooter as easy as a red eared slider I hope I helped!

Answer 5

I've had a turtle, they are really smelly. Gotta clean it often otherwise it can stink up the place. Turtles eats fish. Turtles live for a long time.
Fishes are not too bad, if you have a filter. Fishes may not last so long. So that might upset your kids.

Answer 6

Frogs hide in the trees and corners and you never see them. They are a waste, you end up staring at what looks like an empty tank. Turtles can be the same way but you just watch them sit in one spot. Fish would keep your kids enterained and are a lot easier in the long run.

Answer 7

I've had a turtle for 10 yrs. They are a good amount of work. You need a proper habitat for them with heat and light. They eat meal worms, wax worms and earth worms, and vegetables. So a weeky trip to the pet store is required. The vet visits are the most expensive as they are considered a "exotic pet". What about a Hampster? or a FISH?

Answer 8

Don't get water turtle because they are hard to clean. Gets dirty every day!!! I suggest a land turtle. Frog is not something you want.

Answer 9

i had turtles and they smell i will would get them something less boring then a fish like a hamster or something beteer like a dog because fish r kind of boring so yeh

Answer 10

Yes i recomend a cuple of guppys they stay small
they eat fish flakes something like that get a cuple like a girl
and a boy