What is the name of the turtles that were really popular in the 70's, and they were really small sometimes people would put them in shirt pockets.
But then they found out they were poisinous or something so they aren't as popular...
Anyone know the name of them? Thanks.
2007-07-02 17:31:58 · 7 answers · asked by Zondiaque 1 in Pets ➔ Reptiles
Red eared sliders (RES), Trachemys scripta elegans. They became popular in the 60 and 70s. Many people treated them like pocket pets and kept them in unsanitary conditions where salmonella grew and spread. So, there was an increase in salmonella cases. So as a result, the FDA banned the sale of turtle under the straight shell length of 4" to prevent children from putting them in their mouths or playing with them (i.e. in their pockets).
However, this law is not enforced very well b/c it is difficult. People still sell turtles under 4" and RES are still as popular as ever. The gov't only investigates when there is a complaint.
Lousiana farmers, who raise most of the RES, are repealing the law since it is unfair. Many animals carry salmonella and if kept in proper conditions, istead of bowls and people not play with them, they are perfectly safe to keep.
2007-07-03 06:29:45 · answer #1 · answered by wu_gwei21 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Red eared sliders and they sell them illegally in China Town Here..the real danger is for the poor turtle who people buy on a whim, and have no idea how to really care for them..I have 3 and they need alot of care!!
For them to be legal they need to be at least 5 inches, and at that size require at least a 55 gal tank to be healthy, plus lighting, food, water, live food source like feeder fish ad crickets that are gut loaded..turtles are filthy, and should be fed in a separate place from the living space..but hey I love my guys!
2007-07-03 11:39:36 · answer #2 · answered by kat k 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
They stopped selling them because people were using the death traps (Small Bowls) to house them...and kids were getting salmonella......due to putting them around their mouths and not washing their hands.
It wasn't oils it was the fact that it was unsanitary...Small bowl no filtration...that is why people were getting sick..I had two as a kid in the so called death trap bowl...and they never grew and died..gee I wonder why!!!
Now I am the proud owner of 3 healthy babies and a healthy adult. 4 different types of turtles. So see the environment makes a big differance
That is why they need to be a certain size and the laws are so striked on them now.....
2007-07-03 00:55:24 · answer #3 · answered by AnimalManiac 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Here is another article on the subject:
http://www.hsus.org/wildlife/wildlife_news/baby_turtles_and_children_a_dangerous_combination.html
Things were even more dangerous for the turtles than they were for the people who bought them without knowing how to properly care for them :(
2007-07-03 00:49:41 · answer #4 · answered by bollywoodturtle 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Red ear sliders
2007-07-03 00:47:14 · answer #5 · answered by leeroy c 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I remember them, as we had one in 1968... I believe they stopped selling them, because they secreted an oil through their shells that caused salmonella in people... or something to that effect... I'll look and see if I can find what they were called...
Here... check out this website. They sell pet turtle stuff and #3 seems to indicate that those tiny turtles were simply baby turtles.. http://www.cheappetstore.com/library/reptile-amphibian-species/turtle-species/baby-turtles
Likely pond sliders...
2007-07-03 00:35:34 · answer #6 · answered by scruffycat 7 · 0⤊ 4⤋
i do not know the name, but they are illegal to sell/buy.
2007-07-03 02:33:40 · answer #7 · answered by crow_mtt 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋