Turtle

[shawnahiltz]

I really love turtles, I am fasinated by them. The only problem is that I dont' know what kind of turtle would be the best for a first timer.

If you have any suggestions please let me know, and if you could also include what would be used for a good set-up.

[Tim and Julie B]

Aquatic or terrestrial? Aquatic any N.Amer species is generally hardy. Musk, mud,map one of the many slider species. If you want a land turtle then you have to get a box. Three toed and Eastern are the most comman and easiest to keep.

Set ups: Please read up on what ever species you decide to get before hand. Their needs can vary. If you are getting hatchlings don't house them in more then an inch and a half of water for their own saftey. Hatchlings aren't strong swimmers yet and can drown. I house hatchlings in either 10 gal or rubbermaids. Rubbermaids are great because they are easy to clean. (Water changes are very important in housing aquatics.) You can move the Ruddermaid around and not worry about breaking/cracking it. For hatchlings a simple tank is best for cleaning. I have a bare bottom (no gravel) and a few fake plants as well as a rock they can climb out on. Unless you want a display tank then use as much filtration as possible but I would wait until they are bigger. Just remember aquatic turtles need a lot of cleaning because they produce a lot of waste. Be prepared for this.

If you want a good beginner turtle. Why not adopt a red eared slider? people are always looking to give them away. That is a good way to get experiance because the turtle is already well established!

[shawnahiltz]

Thank you very much for that. I have a few books on turtles but they are way out-dated, so I wanted to hear from somebody who knows more than I do about them.

I would want to get a land turtle because I want to make him/her a free-range turtle.

[Turtle Matt]

Nonono...You absolutely DO NOT want to make it a free range turtle,very very bad idea. You will definately run into problems if you do so. Most land chelonians will need it extremely humid,that or extremely hot which you cant do properly in a house or room. My suggestion would be to cage it or don't get one.
Matt

[Turtle Matt]

Nonono...You absolutely DO NOT want to make it a free range turtle,very very bad idea. You will definately run into problems if you do so. Most land chelonians will need it extremely humid,that or extremely hot which you cant do properly in a house or room. My suggestion would be to cage it or don't get one.
Matt