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: Turtle Expert Needed   12/19/06 
Chuck, Thank you so much for your answer.  I know your time is  valuable. I wonder if I could buy some "turtle consult" time?  I am worried  that her behavior is not normal, about how long her "laboring" behavior will go  on and what are signs of distress I should know. I do not have the sand medium  she will want and this is her first "beach" I have crafted in a  135 gal  tank, as she is easily 8 inches across and needs swimming and basking  space.
Anyway, I have lots of concerns and will be happy to pay you  privately if you would consider some time for me. Thanks, Penny
< Go to tortoise.org and you will come upon the California Turtle and Tortoise Society. They have care sheets for general turtle care and there you will find headings for turtle egg incubation can that can be done either naturally or artificially. While your offer is greatly appreciated I feel that these people are the real experts in this field because they do this day in and day out and are up on the latest techniques for hatching turtle eggs. I have hatched turtle eggs artificially many years ago but I really feel you be best served. In the meantime, get a rectangular plastic container from the hardware store. It should be about 12 inches wide, 15 inches and 6 inches deep. The important thing here is that it will fit in one end of the aquarium. Dimensions, except for depth are really unimportant. Fill the plastic container with sand, not gravel. Any kind will do. Get the sand damp but not soaked. It should stick to your hand when you touch it. Lower the water level in the tank to the top of the plastic container and place the container in the tank. You want the female turtle to be able to swim up to the edge of the container and crawl in. There she will excavate a shallow depression and lay her eggs. Remove the nosy male because he may jump in and eat the eggs are at least disturb her. After she lays her eggs you can remove the container. Refer to the Turtle and tortoise club website for hatching techniques. If you have any questions you can always write back anytime. The crew is here to help.-Chuck>