what would be the best turtle or tortoise for me to get since I'm a beginner?

Question

ive been wanting to get a turtle or tortoise but im not exactly sure what species to get help [ ps; i know how much it will cost and i definetly know not to buy anything from turtlesale.com ]

Answer 1

It generally runs about $150-200 to set up a turtle habitat from scratch (mostly tank and filter), and about $50-100 for a small tortoise.

Do you prefer aquariums or terrariums? I don't like 'wet' turtles, so focus on dry species but that is a very personal preference.

The best starter species are:
WATER TURTLES
- Painted Turtles
- Musk Turtles
- Mud Turtles
- Spotted Turtles (not cheap, but great!)

LAND TURTLES
- Eastern Box Turtle
- Three-toed Box Turtle
- Hermann's Tortoise
- Greek Tortoise

Not on the list and why:
- Red-ear Slider. Adults are 10" long- bigger than most of us want to deal with.
- Russian Tortoise- most are wild caught and full of parasites. Tricky for most of us to really get the habitat right unless we do it outside.
- Sulcata or African Spur-thighed Tortoise- cheap and cute babies grow into HUGE adults that demand special cares.

Try http://www.turtleforum.com and their adiption and classified pages for sources.

Answer 2

I have always had water turtles but would love a land tortoise. the red eared sliders, yellow bellied sliders, and map turtles are real easy to keep as long as you have the money for a tank and filter. They will also need a sunlamp and a way to get out of the water. I also got them out and handled them just be carefull they do cary salmonila as do most if not all reptiles. Good luck and just research and ask lots of questions. Also don't forget they do not stay small some will actually get very large. Good Luck

Answer 3

Maybe you could get a terrapin to start with they are really very small and they love to swim and are great to watch, they have a half land half heated filtered water aquarium and then progress onto something a little bigger like a hermanns which is a land tortoise.

I have planned for after christmas to get a hermanns which I'm quite excited about as it will be my first new pet of the year. Though I have many plans for after christmas, probably too many, this house is becoming a menagerie.

Here is a web page you might like to read.

http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Articles/firstlandturtle.htm

Answer 4

Some Chinese markets sell live turtles for much less than pet stores. They tend to be large since they are sold as food. As a beginner you might be better off with a small one from a pet shop that has treated them if needed for parasites, and has been observing them to see that they are healthy. Keep in mind that turtles live a long time. You will need to take care of it at times in your life that might not be convenient or even permitted.

Answer 5

I've kept many species over the years, but here are the one's I like best (and long term care issues are a part of it) common snappers, side necked river turtles, and the small mediteranian grassland torts...like russians, hermann's etc.

They are fun, interesting, and relatively easy to care for..oh, and hardy. Mud turtles are easy too, but not as much fun...a bit less active.

The thing to think about is...I am interested in the impact this pet will have on my lifestyle...monetarily, time wise, etc. I like to be outdoors, so I get out to hang with my snapper a lot, and to pick weeds for my tortoises, etc. I like to sit out and read in the sun, so I can spend time with them.

They fit my lifestyle, it's not a pain to have to take care of them, indeed, it is part of the fun.

if doing what a pet needs is part of the fun for you, you've chosen the right pet, if not...keep looking.

I even like raising the rats for my snakes...it's part of the fun for me.

Answer 6

Russian tortoise. small tort, easy to care for, and damn easy to feed-greens, weeds and veggies. go to russiantortoise.org

water turtles = $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ in equipment to properly house them

Answer 7

Apparently, Emperor Scorpions are the best Scorpions (I hope to get one of these). Brachypelma abopilosum are usually suggested for a first Tarantula.