Turtle Experts Needed?

Question

Okay, so i've been thinking about getting a turtle latetly, there are MANY things i'd like to get cleared out before I adopt one. I need to prove to my mom that I've researched on turtles so it doesn't die within the first week like all of my tank animals (my dog's the only animal that's lived) Here are some questions I have

-In a house (Suburban), what kind of turtle is the best to get?
-Should I get a water turtle or one that lives on land?
-How much does an average turtle cost?
-What do they eat, what are their eating habits, how often should I feed them
-What kind of tank should I get? How big? Should it include water? and how much does a tank cost on average?
-What is the average lifespan of turtles?
-Do turtles bite? If so, does it hurt/need to be treated if you're bitten?
-Do turtle's carry disease?
-Do turtle's need another animal to live with? Are they social creatures?
How big do average house turtles get?
I have a dog, will it try and eat it? Can the get along?
-What kind of tempretures should they live in?
-Do they need exercise?

I'd appriciate it if proffesionals provide me with the correct answers

Also is there anything else that I need to know that's important that I haven't asked?

If you could answer ALL the questions I asked that would be greatly appriciated thank you so much.

Answer 1

Therre is no such thing as a house turtle. Turtles dont get the proper lighting indoors, and will develop problems with thier shells... such as deformation and just not growing. Keeping a turtle indoors is cruel.

Answer 2

Q:-In a house (Suburban), what kind of turtle is the best to get?
A: A certin sized aquarium is best for most turtles, depending on what type you get!
Q:-Should I get a water turtle or one that lives on land?
A: Well I dont have the abillity to judge that, but I would get a semi-aquatic turtle (One that uses land and water)
Q:-How much does an average turtle cost?
A: Anywhere from $20 to $50!! (EXPENSIVE ONES ARE NOT FOUND THAT OFTEN!)
Q:-What do they eat, what are their eating habits, how often should I feed them?
A: It matters what turtle type you get. You could have a turtle that is a carnivore or a herbavore!
Q:-What kind of tank should I get? How big? Should it include water? and how much does a tank cost on average?
A: It also all depends on what type of turtle you get!
Q:-What is the average lifespan of turtles?
A: Depending on how well you take care of it, it could live to be 35 years old or more!
Q:-Do turtles bite? If so, does it hurt/need to be treated if you're bitten?
A: Yes it hurts(learned from a personal expereance!) but thay do not usually need to be treated. If you do get bitten, wash it off good, and if any swelling or serious bleeding occurs, see a doctor
Q:-Do turtle's carry disease?
A: yes, salmonella
Q:-Do turtle's need another animal to live with? Are they social creatures?
A: Most turtles like living with another turtle. They are social usually
Q:-How big do average house turtles get?
A: Depends on type of turtle
Q:-I have a dog, will it try and eat it? Can they get along?
A: Never put a dog and a turtle together alone! Always keep a turtle in a tank when a dog is loose freely in a room
Q:--What kind of tempretures should they live in?
A: Warm ones!
Q:-Do they need exercise?
A: Not like you take a dog for a walk, but let your turtle into an empty room every once in a while

Answer 3

First of all, here are some good articles and a good informative website that answers all of your questions: http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Articles/firstturtle.htm

1. Best turtle depends on the set-up you are willing to do. Obviously, you want to avoid the big species that need to stay outdoors if it gets cold there. If you enjoy running an aquarium, get a water species. If you prefer running a terrarium/pen, get a land turtle.

2. Turtles run from $10 to $10,000. Cheaper is by no means a sign that it is a good pet!

3. Most young turtles are fed daily. As they get older, we back it off until adults are fed about once every three days. A typical serving is about 1 to 3 times the size of the turtle's head. Overfeeding is usually a bigger problem than underfeeding.

4. Size of tank goes back to #1. Water turtles should have 10 gallons of water per inch of shell length, while land turtles should have at least 100 square inches per inch of length. The tank is only one cost. A typical turtle set-up can easily run $200 with the tank*, lighting, heating, filtration, humidity control, etc.

(*- save money on the tank by using big plastic tubs! A Rubbermaid or Sterilite-type tub is cheap, light, easy to clean and modify, etc.)

5. Average lifespan for most aquatics is about 20 years in good conditions, although under 5 is a lot more common. Small land turtles can hit 50, and big tortoises can break 150.

6. Bites happen sometimes. Most turtles deliver a strong pinch, rarely breaking the skin. Treat like any other small wound.

7. The disease to worry about is Salmonella, which is fought with good cleaning and handwashing. It is a pretty minor 'stomach flu' kind of thing.

8. Turtles are only a little social. They do fine alone or with a compatible cage mate- assuming the tank is big enough for both!

9. Turtle sizes run from about 5" to 10" for most common pet species, with some as little as 4" and as big as 36" long. Turtles are also heavy for their sizes.

10. Dogs tend to think of turtles as fun chew toys- they are made of the same stuff as their rawhide or other animal part chews. Simple security protects the turtle. Once the dog gets used ot the turtle it will be safer, but never safe enough to leave alone with the dog.

11. Some turtles like it cool- 65-80 range. Others like a lot of heat- 75-90 range. Some like it very dry, others like it really humid. Depends on the species.

12. All the exercise they need (and most do not need much) is obtained in a well-designed cage.



Besides the websites mentioned, most libraries have good books on reptiles and turtles.

Answer 4

a red eared turtle is the best!I paid $8.00 on my turtle.they eat special food sticks that are for turtles,newts,and frogs.i feed my turtle once a day.yes you should take a tank.I let it in the tank most of the time.but its also good to take them out of the water for at least 1 hour and 1/2 so they wont get a soft shell.if they do get a soft Shell they will die.turtles can live 100 years and sometimes more!!!!i don't think turtles bite but they haven't ever bit me.sometimes yes.turtles can have a disease.you should take it to a aquarium hospital.no.but they can live with other turtles that are the same kind and size.you can go to these website to find out more about turtles.



turtletails.com

&

redearedturtles.com

Answer 5

I like red-eared sliders for indoor aquariums. They are water turtles that start out tiny and get about 10 inches long. In most states, it is illegal to sell turtles, so you'll have to find one in a creek or lake. You can get turtle food at the store that floats in the water. Also feed live worms and raw meat until it gets older, then start adding veggies to the diet. Some turtles, like snappers, do bite, and they can take off a man's finger; reddies don't bite, at least not hard. Turtles carry salmonella, but if you wash your hands after handling you should be fine. Turtles do like to have other turtle buddies. Do not let your dog play with it, he could hurt it. They are cold-blooded, so a heat lamp may be appreciated. They like to sun themselves on warm rocks. They will exercise themselves, so no need to walk them or anything. :) They can live a really long time, so be prepared for an extended commitment. Oh, and you need a UV lamp so the shell will develop properly.

Answer 6

get a land turtle, the common on in these areas are called carolina box turtles. I'm thinking of getting one also.

basically you need some sort of housing for it, although you can let it walk around you house if you watch it. you'll need to get some sort of substrate like cedar chips for him to burrow in, and a lamp for warmth. they can carry disease, so when you buy one look for some things such as how lively they are, their snout and eyes and claws for anything that seems strange. any red in the eyes is bad.

yes your dog should be fine with your turtle. don't let it knock the turtle on it's back.

turtles mostly eat protiens such as earthworms grubs and the feeder fish that you can buy for 15 cents each.
they also like lettuce and anything RED such as tomatoes and strawberries.

land turtles do need a small dish or sponge filled with water but they don't swim in water like aquatic turtles.

look at www.petfinder.com for your turtle and you will find one for cheap.
I can get one on ohio for ten dollars.

Answer 7

Try exotic pets and go to the turtle section they have good advice I think.

Answer 8

well i am not a professional but i know turtles and turtle care cost a lot of money so be prepared to cough up the bucks

Answer 9

Why don't you find out what kind of turtle it is first is it a water turtle.....etc