What do i do..?

Question

i was just wondering, if i was to get 2 turtles, what would i need, how much would it cost [im aussie, so the prices would be different]. if someone could basically some up what to do and what you need and how expencive it is. that would be awesome!

Answer 1

It's hard for me to really tell you how much it would cost but in dollars, its not cheap.
Keep in mind that its always better to buy captive bred turtles because petshop turtles usually come loaded with all kinds of parasites and you will immediately need to take them to the vet to get shots because they can will get sick and die if you don't. Vet costs are not cheap either.

If you buy baby turtles and you get two, there is no way to know if you are getting two females or two males. While females usually work ok in the same tank males don't and will fight. You can not tell the sex of them until at least 4 inches long even if someone tells you they are temp sexed, they still could be either or.

You need to have 10 gallons worth of tank water per inch of turtle so if you get two turtles that doubles the size of tank you need. In order to save expenses it would be better to get the biggest tank possible so that as the turtles grow you will still have the correct size and won't have to keep changing tanks. Some aquatic turtles get to 18" or so at adulthood such as red eared sliders...heck any sliders for that matter, snapping turtles, even painted turtles. Pet shops are known to tell people that the baby turtles won't get very big, or that they will only grow as large as the tank you put them in this is a bold face lie they say just to make sells...honestly most don't know squat about what they sell.

Things you will need to buy are the tank of course, you need a heat source, a basking lamp - something that provides uva and uvb both because turtles require this to grow and digest food, a turtle dock so the turtle can get completely out of the water to bask in the "sun", a good filter, rocks, plants, etc...

Just what i've named so far will run $200+ in US dollars not counting the cost of a tank and I know I am leaving out alot. The best thing you can do is get on the net and read all about turtles, go to forums like:
http://forums.shelledwarriors.co.uk/
http://z1.invisionfree.com/forums/Happy_Turtles_Pub/index.php?s=886ed12590cf503a4026a7436ea1195b&
http://www.turtletimes.com/Forums/index.php?s=c4e9e15ae88ff68642ab34690ab2b538&act=idx
Where you will be able to talk to others about the costs and care...etc.... this is the best way to find out the good, bad, and ugly of turtles and the products before you buy them.

A great site to go to to learn about them and they also have a forum is: http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/ Here you can not only talk to likeminded people, find out the ins and outs but you can also look at the different types of turtles so you can find which is best for you.

I hope this helps!

Answer 2

Actually, it would depend on what type of turtle (tortoise) you want. Water turtles are cute, but VERY messy !! Land turtles, box turtles, or tortoises ( my choice) need a longer aquarium so they can slowly travel, and also gives the space for a food dish and water bowl. Fresh greens (NO ICEBERG LETTUCE) and chopped small veggies like yellow squash, fresh green beans, and Love Dem Crickets !! If you have a yard that is getting ready to be cut is a treat, but treat #1 is Dandelions !! Is fun to watch them pig-out. Fresh meal worms are a dessert any turtle/tortoise love............Good Luck

Answer 3

ah i think its hard to lived a reptile much better if you get a lizard hehehe to avoid godflies at home