What species of Turtle would make a good classroom pet?

Question

I want to have a low matienence turtle that will be ideal for a classroom

Answer 1

Ninja

Answer 2

There really are no low maintenance turtles. They all need a very big space that is either set up as a all land or a part land part water environment. They need constant heat and special UV lighting from a bulb made especially for reptiles. They are also very messy and will need a very powerful water filter. Most people that keep turtles don't provide these things and end up killing the turtle. A properly cared for turtle will out live it's owner a lot of the time. The set up can be very expensive. And as the other person stated they can carry salmonella and shouldn't be handled by small children. If you would like some more info you can check out http://www.austinsturtlepage.com It has great care info. Good luck

Answer 3

If you do get a turtle for a classroom, get a slider from a rescue. Since that's probably where it will end up after the classroom experience, unless you plan on keeping it for a pet. By the way, they can be very messy and cages have to be cleaned often with ALL turtles as well as the salmonella issue someone brought up.

Answer 4

Any turtle will take some work and set up to keep it really well. By the time you get the right size tank, heater, filter, lighting, basking site, etc., you'll have spent about $100 or more.

Once you get the right set-up, many turtles would probably work OK.

I'd aim for:
- Smaller pond turtles, like the Reeves turtle or mud turtles.
- If you don't mind a bigger tank, the medium pond turtles like Red-ears or Painteds.
- Box turtles, especially the Eastern or Three-toed.
- Small, common tortoises- probably the Mediterranean species like the Hermanns or Greek. (Russians are common, but I'd avoid them)

Common turtles I avoid include:
- Big tortoises, especially the Sulcata
- The Ornate box turtle
- Wood turtles (some are wonderful, but many are tricky as far as the right habitat goes.)
- Any baby turtle, even though you have a legitimate and legal reason to buy one. Baby's are just trickier to get going for beginners.

Answer 5

Look into Russian Tortoises. They stay small and are vegetarians, so you don't have to feed them bugs and gross things. They're also good pets with great personalities.
Chinese Box Turtles are also good. They do eat yucky bugs, if that bugs you.
Small children may do better with a larger tortoise.
Steer clear of Red Eared Sliders. They are cranky and need to swim. The water always gets stinky and gross, no matter what filtration you have or how good you are about cleaning it.
A word about Salmonilla. Teach the kids not to lick their hands (or the animal) while handling the turtle. Everyone washes up, with soap, after handling and there should be no problem.
Always research the species of any potential pet. Remember that reptiles have lots of dietary, UV light, humidity, and heat requirements that need to be met or they die. They live a VERY long time as well, don't forget.

Answer 6

It depends on the environment you want to provide. If you'd like a mostly aquatic environment, a red eared slider is an awesome idea but needs a lot of room, about a 55gallon. You'd have to watch the heat of the water, feed it daily, provide an area where it can climb up and dry off completely and that's about it. Clean the tank every month and a half. I wouldnt recoment allowing children take them out, I know RES often confuse themselves with snapping turtles, I've got one that can give a pretty nasty bite.

Answer 7

Box Turtle would be great, most pet stores carry them. My mother is a 2nd grade teacher and she has a box turtle for the classroom. There is the salmonela issue. Rats also make great pets for classrooms.

Answer 8

Choose a different animal. Turtles can carry salmonella, and while you can make all the no-touch and hand-washing rules you like, you'd hate the risk of the legal issues that might bring the school.

Answer 9

depends which turtle looks more fit with the classroom.

Answer 10

None of them, turtles aren't good class room pets, they dislike being touched, noise, and have lots of other things that your class can't assure.