Other Turtle Discussion :: The pet sellers do it again.

[DanielRES1180]

Notice I didn't say pet stores, because the topic wasn't restricted to that consensus (and I hope I spelled it right).

Anyway, we went to the downtown of the city in Mexico where we were staying, and there was this so-called experienced store that had a 10 gallon tank with only 3 inches of water and a bunch of RES hatchlings, easily over 30 in there. It was horrible because the little guys were climbing all over each other for air, and the ones at the bottom were almost dying. Another store was like that.

Then on our last day, there was another store that had a bunch of turtles in half a centimeter of water, and a full-grown turtle sitting in a dirty 2 inches of water that looked like sewer water.

There was this lady that bought a hatchling from one of the first two stores, and as she was carrying the creature in the death bowl, I informed her of the requirements trutles have then and when they're full-grown, citing mine as an example. I listed the thumbnail rule we all have here (10 gal to the inch) in about what I thought it was in metric (8L per centimeter, and I hope I don't get flamed). She left all freaked out.

Then in Los Angeles there were these street vendors pushing hatchlings in small beta containers around on a cart as if they were dogs in kennels. Can't imagine the stress on the guys.

[Bridget]

I actually bought my two RES in Chinatown in Los Angeles, it's pretty close to me. At the time, it was the only place I knew of to buy baby turtles, and also where my neighbors got them. It's sad because they are in teeny tiny tanks. Many of them get sick and die, like my last RES. I feel that I am kind of 'rescuing' them from those tiny tanks in dark places. The RES I have now is doing great, so I am hoping she lives a long time.

[xsavingsaturdayx]

You are not rescuing them, you are supporting the ignorant and stupid. Best thing to do is to walk away when you see something like that, or do something about it, if your lucky people will listen, if not, then there is nothing you can do.

By buying the turtles, you are shoving money down those horrible peoples pants, making the cycle go on and on, keeping them in buisness..best thing to do is make people aware, tell everyone you know that if they want a turtle, chinatown aint the way to go..I'd much rather those turtles go for food (especially RES), than pets to be honest - i think living a long and disgusting life (if their lucky) in one of those death bowls is worse than being chopped up, being chopped up alive is painful, yes, but you die quicker, however, rotting away in a deathbowl must hurt ten times worse. If I was in that situation (in a deathbowl), i'd want to die right then and there.

I hate how they still make deathbowls, i hate how they make them look so 'cute' and 'perfect' for a baby turtle..freaking idiot's..this is 2007, not 1950..the company that makes them (lee) should know better by now..

[DavidY]

Yup, don't buy anything from those guys, you're just allowing them to continue the shady practice when you give them money.

If anything, you should start asking questions out loud like, "What SIZE TANK do I need to keep him in? HOW BIG will he eventually get? Do they need a FILTER, HEATER, or EXPENSIVE LIGHTS?"

Then after the sleazebag answers the questions incorrectly, begin your speech in a loud enough voice for everyone in the area to hear, "I've done a lot of research on these turtles and I've learned that they can grow up to 12" and that they live in very clean water in large ponds so they require large tanks up to 120 gallons and high performance filters since they poop so much. Plus they require special UVB light bulbs since they will be kept indoors without sunlight. Otherwise they WILL GET SICK AND DIE! Hey everybody, LOOK! That baby turtle has SHELL ROT!! And that one is gasping like it has a RESPIRATORY INFECTION!!!! Oooh, look at THAT one, see that WHITE FUZZY STUFF? That's FUNGUS!!!! THESE TURTLES ARE UNHEALTHY!!! AND YOU DON'T HAVE ENOUGH WATER IN THERE FOR THEM TO SWIM IN!!!! AND LOOK! THE WATER IS FILTHY!!!! HOW CAN YOU SELL THESE POOR BABY TURTLES LIKE THAT???!!!!"

[DanielRES1180]

There we go, that's an idea .

[kornygerm]

Notice I didn't say pet stores, because the topic wasn't restricted to that consensus (and I hope I spelled it right).

Anyway, we went to the downtown of the city in Mexico where we were staying, and there was this so-called experienced store that had a 10 gallon tank with only 3 inches of water and a bunch of RES hatchlings, easily over 30 in there. It was horrible because the little guys were climbing all over each other for air, and the ones at the bottom were almost dying. Another store was like that.

Then on our last day, there was another store that had a bunch of turtles in half a centimeter of water, and a full-grown turtle sitting in a dirty 2 inches of water that looked like sewer water.

There was this lady that bought a hatchling from one of the first two stores, and as she was carrying the creature in the death bowl, I informed her of the requirements trutles have then and when they're full-grown, citing mine as an example. I listed the thumbnail rule we all have here (10 gal to the inch) in about what I thought it was in metric (8L per centimeter, and I hope I don't get flamed). She left all freaked out.

Then in Los Angeles there were these street vendors pushing hatchlings in small beta containers around on a cart as if they were dogs in kennels. Can't imagine the stress on the guys.

I have seen stores in Mex, where they have like 6-10 babies or more in a big tank..Its big and has enough water for them to swim and a basking area.I do have seen adults with 2-4 inches of water only..Not even enough to swim.Each time i see it i want to take her home, but first i should take care of the two of mine.

[sneakyburrito]

I work at Petco, and have recently given up on helpin ignorant people when they ask me questions about sliders. Ive seen people walk out my store with turtle food, a decorative rock and a critter keepers thinkin that the turtle will live long healthy lives. I always inform them about their requirements. Some actually take the time and listen to me and take my advice. Most just tell me that they were told something else and that little containers are more than sufficient. I try my hardest with the more ignorant but they usually walk away in anger. I cant refuse a sale being that it is store policy, but i have full sympathy of all the unlucky turtles that have stupid and ignorant owners.