Do you think it's cruel to have a turtle as a pet?

Question

Really wanting to get a pet turtle but my family kepps telling me it's cruel. what do you think?

Answer 1

No, not at all!! It's the same as having anything as a pet. You have to confine mice, rats, fish, birds.... Look after them and treat them well - as I'm sure you would - and there's no probs :) Turtles are cool pets by the way!!! :)

Answer 2

As long as you've done a fair amount of research beforehand, no. And as mentioned already, letting a turtle that's been in captivity go is a big no-no... there's debate on whether they're able to take care of themselves or not, but the larger issue is that a turtle that's been in a tank has been sharing pathogens with you and any other pets you might have rather than with other wild turtles, and won't have the immune system it needs to deal with life in the wild (not to mention passing things that it ~has~ picked up immunities to to wild turtles that don't have the immunities that it does). When you get a turtle, you need to be prepared to keep it for the 30+ years it will live if you take care of it properly. Now, since you really don't know what ~kind~ of turtle you might be getting, you'll have to do a lot of general research on what's found in your area and basic dietary needs (don't forget whether it's legal to even KEEP wild turtles for pets in your area, which should be the first thing you do any research on). I'd start with a single turtle, just because it may be more than you're really up to. Remember 10 gallons of water per inch of carapace (top shell) length is general rule of thumb for housing aquatic turtles, you'll need a filter rated for about twice the water volume it will be filtering (or marketed as being ~for~ turtles... turtles make a lot more waste than fish) the medium for the filter will need cleaned every few days, the water will need changed.... oh, once every week or two is a good guess. You'll need a basking area... somewhere for the turtle to get completely out of the water... over top of this, you'll need a heat lamp and you'll need a UVB lamp so that the turtle can metabolize D vitamins and be able to use the calcium in it's diet. All in all, a good turtle tank will cost about $200 to set up. As for predation in the wild, that's part of what turtles are for, and why they lay as many eggs as they do... In all reality, I suggest purchasing turtles from breeders or from pet stores with captive bred stock because wild turtles really should be left to do their job... which is to grow up and make more turtles or become food for other animals.... You also wouldn't have to worry about any illness or parasites in a captive bred turtle, but that's another answer.

Answer 3

its not cruel to keep a turtle as a pet! why would it be? as long as you care for it and do your homework on what your turtle will need to be happy and healthy then there is no reason to think that it's cruel. now if this turtle came from a backyard pond or some such then yes he is considered wild and it would be cruel. but as long as you are getting this turtle from a breeder or a pet store these animals have now been domesticated and are generaly unable to care for themselves. what kind of turtle? if your going for a larger breed then i would definately do alot of research before getting this animal. if you are looking at a small guy like a dime turtle then really all you need is a small aquarium or a large glass bowl about 5-6 inches deep and 10 inches across, some rocks in the bottom and a large rock that he can easily climb up on without falling out of the bowl, a little water and some turtle food. i have two dime turtles on my computer desk in front of me in a large bowl it looks neat and i can take the out and let them run around and play while i am at my desk. good luck!

Answer 4

I had a friend who had 2 turtles- he kept them in an ice cream bucket- that was cruel. I have friends now who have 2 turtles, in a big spacious tank, big rocks in the bottom, plants, a platform to climb on so they can get out of the water..thats not cruel. If you have the space to give them a nice big aquarium, and properly set it up with plants (fake work), a place where they can get out of the water, heat, etc..and make sure you read up on how to properly care for them and clean them, its not cruel. Just dont get huge ones. You cant buy turtles from a friend who had them in a 50 gallon tank and then stick them in a 10 gallon. Turtles grow to their environment. get them when theyre small.

Answer 5

Yes it is cruel. They belong in the wild where they were born.
Also they carry a variety of illnesses (some-fatal), \
I had two when I was younger, they did not live long. Now too many species are on the endangered list.
Research all you can through books, Internet, and those who take care of various animals

Answer 6

I don't think it's cruel it all! If it's cruel to have a turtle, it's cruel to have a bird, snake or fish. But a lot of people do it!

Answer 7

I don't think so I would love to have a turtle as a pet.

Answer 8

Any living being kept out of its natural habitat for your pleasure is considered cruel, however friendly you may be to it. All living beings need their own species to live with it to be happy.

Answer 9

as long as you know what you're doing and dont get it from the wild ,but get it from a pet store than-absolutety not!more power to ya'.

Answer 10

Definately not! As long as you seek advice and have the best facilities for them, which don't come cheap!!!, make sure their tank is very spacious.