College Student Wants A Turtle   1/4/07
I want to get a turtle, the only problem is I live at my college during the week but come home many weekends.  Would a turtle be alright over the weekend if I cleaned the cage before hand and left it some food?  Or would it be better to bring it back and forth?  Also are there certain turtles that would deal better with either of these than others?  If it will hurt my turtle I will just not get one.  Thank you.
< If you have the time to take proper care of him he would be fine over a weekend while you are at home. I know college can be hectic. In a year he may be 4+ inches and need a 40 gallon tank. Bigger turtle means bigger messes to clean up. Not that easy to break down a turtle and move it around. I would really recommend that you finish college, get a job and get settled in before getting any animal.-Chuck>

Wise Parent Needs Turtle Knowledge   12/17/06
I want to buy a turtle for my daughter. However I want one that will stay fairly small. Are there any breeds that make fairly good pets and stay under 6 inches at full growth?
Also what supplies will I need to purchase up front to provide good care for a turtle?
Thanks Abby Michl
< First let me compliment you on checking in BEFORE you buy the turtle. Too many times we get questions on turtle after they buy them. Check out painted turtles. They don't get as big as red eared sliders, and only get about 7 inches long. Red eared turtles get aggressive too. A painted turtle will go well in a 40 gallon aquarium that is half filled with water. They need to come out of the water and bask to get the proper lighting and warmth to digest their food and develop vitamins. They do well on a diet of commercial aquatic turtle pellets, insects ,worms and green vegetables. Here is the check list:
1) 40 gallon aquarium for one adult turtle
2) Hood/Top with fluorescent fixture to keep critters out.
3) Porcelain Clamp light fixture to provide a heated basking spot
4) UVB fluorescent light to light up the aquarium and provide the right light wave lengths
5) Basking Spot Lamp to provide heat for the basking site. Needs to be at least 85 F.
6) Water conditioner to remove chlorine from the water.
7) Water filter to keep the aquarium water clean
8) Basking site
9) Thermometer
10) Aquatic turtle food
11) Hand sanitizers
Turtles can carry bacteria that is harmful to humans. It is very important to wash your hands and or sanitize them after handling turtles or cleaning the cage. If this sounds like a lot of money and equipment just think that this turtle may live for another 20 to 30 years! There is a very good book on water turtles titled " The Proper Care and Maintenance of Water Turtles" by Phillipe De Vosjoli. ZooMed distributes this book along with almost all of the items you will need.-Chuck>

Re: Turning A Turtle Loose In A Pond   8/21/06
Ok Thank you. Do you  think the turtle I already released is still alive or not?
< Adult turtles are pretty tough and have few predators. Smaller turtles are preyed on by just about everything. If your turtle was released early in the year, close to being an adult size and in good health, then I think he probably made it if the winter was not too severe.>
I don't have a  picture of the turtle but I was told its a cooter or something like that.
< Lots of turtles go under the name of cooters or sliders.>
Also, I do want my turtle. I just think it would be better off with other  turtles then in my little pond. It is about 2 feet deep and 6
feet long and 3  feet wide. It is actually a kiddie pool and I have fish in there with it and it  kills them all the time and also bugs so I think it could
survive in the pond  but I'm worried about if it could survive there in the winter. Thank you for  your answers and help.
< Many people think that turtles get lonely and need other turtles to be around. Other turtle are looked at as competition. If your pond has a mud bottom and your winters are not too bad then your turtle may be OK outdoors. In the northern part of the country where winters are pretty long and winter temps are pretty severe they do not overwinter well.-Chuck>

Getting a Turtle   6/27/06
HELLO! My name is Andrew and since I can remember I've always loved turtles but never was aloud to get one.  Now I am 13 and my parents said that as long as I do my research and promise that I will not spend all of my time with the turtle but also with my dog, clean my 10 gallon aquarium and friends and family time matters too (yes I do have all of these pets for me to take care of, I just LOVE any thing that's living, am also a gardener...). Anyway I've finally proven to her that turtling (turtle-ing or turtle caring for ness stuff, I don't no what you call keeping a turtle as a pet, sorry) but there's only three more obstacles: 1. what are all of the required items needed to keep a pet turtle (preferably a red-eared slider?)
<There is a great little inexpensive book out by Zoo Med called "Proper Care and Maintenance of Water Turtles". In this book you will find all in information of all the items you need to keep a turtle.>
And how much will they cost? (in Canadian dollars please)
< Once you see what you need you can shop around. Check out the local pet shops as well as online stores too.>
And how many can I put in a tank?
<I would recommend a single turtle. They don't need friend or companions.>
How often do I have to feed them?
<Dietary requirements are covered in the book.>
What should I do with my turtles when I go away on trips?
< A turtle can go for about a week without being fed. After that they should be fed by someone.>
My neighbours who usually take care of my pets and garden (they are so reliable and such dear friends) are moving away and my closest and most reliable friends/family are at least a 15-2 and a half hour drive away from my house, will it be ok if I leave them alone for a week with an automatic feeder or is it ok to drive them to my friends house or will they get car sick?
< They won't get car sick. A short hop to your friend's house will be fine.>
Keep in mind that I want to have a minimum and maximum of two turtles and I can only afford a 20g tank since I am only 13..., will this be a problem?
< Get the book and price out all the items you will need. In a 20 gallon tank you will be very busy changing water because turtles are very messy and foul the water very quickly.>
How big will they grow?
< A large female RES may get up to a foot over many years.>
Thank you soo much for your time.  any help is very much appreciated. Andrew.
<Keep in mind that turtles can live for over twenty years in captivity. This is a long term commitment.  As you grow you will be busy with school, friends, work, girls, sports, cars etc.. Turtles are great little pets but still need some attention.-Chuck>