My son wants a baby turtle for a pet. Is this a good idea?

Question

He is 10 yrs. old and he's been asking for one for a while now. I would like to know from turtle owners out there if you think it's a good idea and what are the main things we should know about pet turtles that are important to consider. He wants to keep it in a tank in his room. I also don't know what it really requires to be healthy and if needs to have an aquairium. Any suggestions? Thanks.

Answer 1

My family has a Russian tortoise and three leopard gecko's. I recommend a land turtle or small tortoise if you're going to go with a turtle. They are easier to care for than water turtles and most are pretty friendly. My 9 year old daughter takes care of the gecko's(mostly) by herself.
She's done pretty well but is starting to slack occasionally. Which ever pet you choose (if any) remember that most likely it will become YOUR pet and you need to choose something that you don't mind taking care of.
Here's a great website on Russian tortoise if you're interested..
http://www.russiantortoise.org/care_sheet.htm

Answer 2

Do your research first different turtles have different needs. Most often overlooked is the amount of space a turtle requires for proper health. (Box turtles need 16-20 square feet for example). Food lighting and hibernation can all be challenging for a first time reptile owner with these animals. They make great pets jsut know what your getting into lot end up released into the wild which is cruel long death sentence for most pets. Consider adopting there are many rescue organizations that can help you navigate the best turtle or reptile for your situation.
Enjoy!

Answer 3

My family has two turtles, and I don't know if I would recommend them as a pet for a 10 year old boy. We have two red-eared sliders, which are a pretty common pet turtle. First of all, red-eared sliders can live up to 50 - 70 years...this is no small commitment, and is it one your son can really make at ten? Also, cleaning out the aquarium and whatever other living environment is a huge task, even with a good filter. It is probably too much for your son alone, and you will end up helping him until he is old enought to take over himself. Turtles do bite, they are not exactly "affectionate" pets, at least our turtles are not...they don't like being held, and certainly you will not be hugging a turtle :) We love Bob and Buddy (our turtles) and they're definitely members of our family, but they keep to themselves. I think one of the main points of looking into a pet for your son is life expectancy...is he going to be able to care for a turtle for the next 40 years? Or at some point do you worry about giving them away, or something else? If he's dead set on something LIKE a turtle, maybe consider a frog. Otherwise, if you can talk him into something like a guinea pig, I'd recommend going for that because they are easy to care for, still can be affectionate and enjoy petting, and they probably won't outlive your son's interest.

Answer 4

I am assuming it is a red-eared slider you are considering? Depending where you live, other kinds may be hard to obtain.
If it is a res you are considering, I am sorry but I would have to say no. Over 80% of kept res die in the first 3 years of life, as people seem to have a really hard time providing adequate care. It really isnt overly difficult, but it IS expensive, and you need a lot of background knowledge first.
My suggestion would be to check out austinsturtlepage.com there is lots of info on lots of turtles. Make your decision from there. But it isnt a commitment to take lightly. They can live a long time and they get really quite large.

Answer 5

I have a turtle and have had it for 6 years now. I really like it but sometimes a wish I had never got it because it has been a lot of work. It was really small when I got it (like the ones they sell, about 2 inches?) but throughout those 6 years I had to change the tank like 5 times (now its like 11 inches). Not only that but also they stink and water has to be changed really often. I really wouldn't recommend it for any kid because their parents would end up taking care of it.

Answer 6

Get a small turtle, like a mud or musk. They need at least a 30 gallon tank, water filter, water heater, basking area, heat lamp, UVB reptile lighting, frequent water changes and a varied diet. Not the easiest to care for but fun and rewarding for those who want to put the work and care in that are required. Good reading for more info here:

http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/

Answer 7

It's a good idea if your willing to help him care for it.

My daughter is almost nine, My three turtles were for me, not for her, but, she does help me take care of them. I wouldn't let her keep them in her room. You can get a turtle dock for a reasonable price. I keep them in the living room. They do get messy when they eat, and the water fouls quick if you don't stay on top of it, most people will recomend feeding them in a different container(they poop when they eat), I enjoy them though, those little booger's are the neatest, I'm a dog person and never thought i would fall in love with turtles of all things, but they are enjoyable.

I feed mine turtle pellets and occasional treats, saving the messiest treats the day before i do water changes, like bacon, they love it, and banana's.
there are shortcuts to taking care of them, like a vacuum, that siphons the water out, buy a huge bucket. You can also buy water conditioner which gets rid of chlorine in the water. they need a heat lamp. I buy styrofoam cups and trim around the top and they have their own life preserver, its so cool. I would recomend them as pets, but I wouldn't recomend your son having sole responsibility for them.

I take them out and bath them, my daughter helps, and she gets them out when It's warm and lets them run about and helps me change the water and feed them. Your sons old enough to know not to put them in his mouth, and wash his hands. You don't need an aquarium, you can buy one of those large storage containers(in the summer mine play in the sun in a container on the back porch, half shaded), just make sure they have a place to bask, but the aquarium, you can watch them play, its fun.

And your son will have bragging rights "my mom let me get a turtle!".........but it's your time too. May want to try out a water frog in his room to see if he's ready.

Answer 8

it's OK actually they make good pets
but if it is a green turtle it needs water and cleaning like fish and they sell special food for it or a cheaper choice minced dried fish .
but it needs to breath so you need to have a semi island place for it to climb and have a breath and then dives back to water .
that's not all . if you bought a land turtle which is brown color mostly you need to confine it in a closed area because they love freedom and sneak everywhere when they can and feed them daily with lettuce and chopped tomatoes .
finally i have to tell you that female turtles have a straight surface underneath the shell while the males have what looks like a hole in the middle of the underneath shell

Answer 9

I am against the turtle trade, so my answer is going to be a no to owning a turtle.

But, if you insist, make sure you buy your turtle from someone who is reputable. Heard of puppy millers? There are turtle millers too. And salmonella is a concern when having turtles who are milled.

Here is a good site to look at for turtle care instructions : http://www.petturtle.com/care.htm

Answer 10

I would avoid reptiles as pets for children due to the risk of salmonella. Pets that look healthy can still spread the disease. http://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/spotlight_an_turtles.htm
Also since he is only 10, you will probally be the one to take care of it. And since he is young you will have to research how to take care of them. Reptiles are not easy pets. They have lots of needs. They need proper heating, diet, humidity levels, lighting ect. Also lots of kids get bored with pet reptiles. Most are not very interactive (I know someone will give me a thumbs down for that comment). Make him wait untill he is older and can read up on them by himself and really take responsibilty for the in depth care reptiles need.