Hi! Introduce yourselves here. :: Hello from SoCal - have a brand new RES!

[Reel Girl]

My husband went to the grocery store a couple of weeks ago for milk. There were 2 VERY young children out front with 15 - 20 plastic "turtle boxes" with little tiny RES' - - knowing how much I have been wanting to become a turtle owner (my plan had been to create a habitat first! Then buy a turtle from a reputable place!) he brought one home for me. When he brought the turtle home, he (or she - but his tail is really long, so I am thinking he!) was about the size of a .50 cent piece! Isn't it illegal to sell that size?

Sheldon the Wonder Turtle joins Elephant the Cat, and our 3 dogs Peetie, Henry and Copper.

Although he has asked, I have refused to divulge how much money I have spent so far on getting Sheldon's habitat up-to-snuff! (he really doesn't care so much - since I spent $4,000 on the 3 legged dog, everything under that is nothing!)

I am absolutely ENAMORED of this turtle! I have so many questions, I am looking forward to cruising the MB here!

[Chrisbarnett]

Welcome!!!
Yes it is illegal to sell turtles of that size, they are supposed to be 4" before they can be sold. But oh well, you have your little guy!

You won't be able to accurately/for sure know the sex of the turtle before the turtle reaches about 4" in length. I was able to sex Squirt at about 3", he has long nails growing in and tail getting longer.

Also, as you probably already know, females will be larger than males, have short claws, and short tails, while males have all the opposite.

Anyways, ask all the questions you need and once again Welcome!!

[Reel Girl]

Thanks for the Welcome, Chris - I have already checked out your blog - very cool. I did not know about the size - females being larger - but Sheldon seems to have a very long tail - if he turns out to be a she, I guess she will be Lil Shel. So far, this site has so much more info than the 2 books I have purchased - amazing.
Everyone that has found out I have a new turtle has said "yeah, my kid wants one" I scream "NOOOO!!" It amazes me that parents that will not allow a cat or dog, think nothing of a turtle - uh, HELLO??

[Chrisbarnett]

LMAO, Most people have no idea of what a "harmless cute hatchling" turns into and what it requires when full grown.

Thanks for the blog comment! I update my blog pretty regularly, I try for daily, so keep checking back for new stuff if you like it.

[camaudio]

where did you get him from in socal?

[StevenAkaProek]

Welcome and congrats

[TheComputerGremlin]

When I showed pictures of my "cute little turtle" and complained about the $400 I spent upgrading his tank to my boss, she said "I thought those turtles didn't get any bigger than a couple inches." So, I responded with, "They can get 8-12" and live for 25+ years." And she's like, "Oh, well, the ones we bought the kids (back in the 80s-90s) never lasted more than 6 months and didn't get very big. We just kept them in one of those turtle island things." Ignorance is NOT bliss! I have talked so many people out of getting a turtle at this point, it's sad. And yeah, people say "Cats and dogs are too expensive" and somehow the next logical statement is "Let's get a turtle". Cats and dogs do end up being more expensive than the turtle, but the initial investment of a turtle costs so much more than cats/dogs. Well, unless you buy a dog from a breeder, that can get very expensive.

Anyways, welcome to the board! Good luck with the new addition!

[Reel Girl]

where did you get him from in socal?

In front of the Vons/El Cajon - then the next day they were out in front of the Walmart in Santee - I complained/notified mgrs at both stores

[Oshynlover]

I got mine in China Town when a girlfriend and I went there for the most amazing Chinese Food. Decided to go walking down the street for some bamboo plants and there was this guy with a few turtles in a little box!!! OMG It was so sad and we wanted to save him. SO I got one. No idea what I was in for. BUT now having him 7 months now I have a 40 gal tank and he is so happy!

WELCOME from Santa Monica!

[camaudio]

where did you get him from in socal?

In front of the Vons/El Cajon - then the next day they were out in front of the Walmart in Santee - I complained/notified mgrs at both stores

prolly from the same person my wife got ours from in poway

[RESnTX]

If he turns out to be a girl you could always call him Shelby.

Welcome!