Hi! Introduce yourselves here. :: How/Why did you choose your turtle(s)?

[JNZBCBnLIL]

I thought it would be a cute idea to see why others chose their particular turtles! Most of us were put in the situation of having to chose between 50 or so turtles living together in a less then adequate tank for so many but- how did you choose which one was going home with you?

Here's my story- my lil Leo followed me around the entire tank! I was trying to get a good look at all the turtles, but Leo was relentless to not let me look at any of them but him! haha And I later found out why.... he's a crazy begger and was probably just really hungry!! That boy has some appetite! But none the less I fell in love and now he's home with me and I wouldn't have it any other way!

I thought this would be a good place to put these stories because there will be people who have just chosen their turtles, and this is also for those of you who have had your turtles for awhile- there had to have been a reason why you chose that particular one or those particular ones! I'd love to hear/read these stories!

They say you don't choose your pets, they choose you!

[Jayqualin]

When I went to the pet store to buy a turtle. I was looking around in the tank, and a tiny hatchling popped out and started to splash at me, so I thought it liked me so I bought it. (I looked at the price 60 dollars?? this turtle better be worth it I thought) And it was! That is how I got my cute Peanut!

[missibsu]

My mother chose mine, I'm not sure how she chose them. She picked good though, considering they were kiosk turtles. I've never had any health problems with them.

[ellman605]

I completely forgot how i chose them. I suggest look for the one that looks at you first, and don't get a beggar!

[JNZBCBnLIL]

awww haha my baby's a beggar- and I wouldn't want any other turtle!

[CountryGirl68]

I happened to be at a pet store and was looking at the RES. I saw this male that had two turtles on top of him - he was the smallest of the bunch. I felt so bad for him that I felt it necessary to get him out of his demise (they had but 2 inches of water filled and there was gravel in the tank). When I got him home, he turned out to be a beggar! Still is! LOL

My Tanner is like my baby boy.

[SpotsMama]

Our little guy chose us. He appeared in our back yard one year just before Thanksgiving. He was hiding under some leaves - guess he thought he could hibernate there! He was a pitiful little thing at the time, about the size of a silver dollar. By some miracle he survived and now he's as big a begger as the best of them!

[JNZBCBnLIL]

I was thinking about it- do you think maybe it's best to get a turtle that's begging at the tank when you're there because wouldn't that be a good health indicator? jw

spotsmama- so your anniversary with spot is coming up here soon!

[SpotsMama]

I think a turtle with a good appetite is a healthy turtle.

I'll give Spot a bit of Thanksgiving turkey to celebrate. We're certainly thankful to have him!

[rawrbaby]

I had to get mine. haha it was the only one left. but I still love him to peices <3

[d0eb0y]

Well my RES Norman was a rescue. Someone left him on a bench in front of a mall here in MA. In one of those small plastic containters filled wit 2 inches of nasty water. Musta been black market from Chinatown because he was only an inch or 2 in size at the time. My sister called me and asked me if i wanted him. I knew nothing about turtles at the time, but decided to give the little guy a chance. Kept him in that small containter for a day or 2 until i came across this site and realised he was being short changed. So i immediately went out and got him a 10-15 gallon clear Rubbermaid containter for a temp home wit a filter, lights,heater, few lil deco's. And hes a happy camper now, almost 3 inches. And thats how i chose my turtle.
hehe

[lotsofpets]

On May 29th I visited the pet store to pick out a kitten and then saw a big tank with several tiny, adorable turtles in it... On July 8th I went back to the same pet store and said "I want one of those baby turtles." The store attendant just dunked his hand in and caught one of them that was hiding under the dock - so that's how I got my Donatello! He certainly has provided entertainment to my daily schedule and has been a joy to own!

[Sprawl]

i wanted a pet that was better than a goldfish, but not hardy enough to live long so i could be "upset" over it and guilt my folks into a dog. went to the store. Saw the little things. said I want two!. but wanted two that were lively so i made them take them out and pick the two that would run around the most when taken out of the water and try and get away.

paid my 16 bucks total and had them in a plastic baggy like you get fish. Got em home


the rest is history 10 years later i'm happier with them than I think i could ever be with a dog and i feel the guilt now of wanting them for the wrong reasons

[Muirner]

Boy sprawl, werent you plesently supprised what happend? Hahah.

How i got Mary Kate and Ashley. My ex-g/f went to New York with a friend and they ended up in China town. Like everyone else there was a little vendor, that was selling these turtles. 1 for $12 and two for $16 i think. When she called me to tell me what she got, the first thing i thought was samonella. Well she brings them home in that tiny little plastic container with no more then 2" of water, and brought them over to show me.

I did a google search on "china town turtle" and found out they were RES's. After a few more googles, i found this site. And low and behold, they were not in the proper environment. And way undersized to be legal. 1" - 1.5". Immediatley we went to walmart and bought a 10 gallon tank, rocks (thought they would like them) and 2-3 thermomiters.. so a total of $66 she spent. After reading the site and relizing that 10 gal was too too small for them, and small gravel was no good, out i went to buy a 55 gal tank. Now i have that set up with basking area, a XP3 filter, Rena Top Fin 300watt water heater a light that supplies 10% UVB and over 30% of UVA, a heat lamp, and another 2-3 thermomitors. Also 3 live plants for now, and i'm looking into getting some PVC for them to hide in, and around... Every day is a hunt for these girls, and i have had them but 2 weeks! always learning.

[JNZBCBnLIL]

I'll give Spot a bit of Thanksgiving turkey to celebrate. We're certainly thankful to have him!

so I can give him a little turkey on Turkey day?

BTW- I love reading these stories!