General Care Discussion :: Misinfromation.

[joeybsmooth]

Why is there so much misinformation about turtles. Even from people that one would think should know better . . When I got my first turts I was running on so much misinformation it makes me sad now, ( it was giving to me by my 3 grade teacher who knows a crap load about almost every other living thing ).

I am glad that this site is here, now that I know whats up I am working to make a better life for my new babies.

After I get a new place to live , I am going to do it up.

[N4784N R4613]

Awesome, I felt the same way when I found this site two years ago!! I think there is that much misinformation, because the people who are trying to sell them want you to think it is cheap and easy to care for them. Would you buy something if the person selling it said that it would cost hundreds of dollars to set up, and probably hundreds more to maintain? I think not!!

I can't wait to see pics of their home!!

[Tenodera]

I think the media plays a big role in this since, before I got my turtles, the words "Pet Turtle" always reminded me of those pictures in kid's book of a little green turtle in a bowl with a rock and some water.

It's just this idea circulates around so much almost nobody bothers to know about CORRECT care.

Plus the fact that turtles are very hardy and can actually live in such a poor environment for short periods of time helps add to the problem.

I'm happy that a lot more turtles who's owners are on this forum are gonna get more decent lives!

[TheComputerGremlin]

The same misinformation exists for all pets. I know people who refuse to take their dog to a vet, even though legally the dog needs its rabies vaccine, they will not take it to the vet. And betta fish, we're told they can live happily in a tiny little bowl.

[Tenodera]

Is it really true, about the betta? I'm a fish keeper myself, but I have never kept bettas yet. I've come across some info that says bettas get stressed in regular fishtanks and refuse to build bubble nests.

[TheComputerGremlin]

Well, those itty bitty bowls are rough for anything to live in, but I agree, anything much bigger than 3 gallons would stress them out a lot. We've kept bettas in a 1 gallon square tank and now a 3 gallon square tank (he inherited my turtle's original tank that I bought for him). The 1 gallon makes them pretty happy, the 3 gallon he seems to love. He's constantly on patrol, going from side to side of the tank to make sure nothing's gotten in his area. But those like 2 cup sized tanks, I've never seen a happy betta in those, every one I've seen has basically killed itself by jumping out. And bettas are so wonderful to have as pets.

[industrial_girl_2000]

Don't be hard on yourself! Everyone has to start somewhere.

I've had Sheba for 18 yrs and if you think the lack of info is bad now, I can tell you that back then when I first got Sheba, it was WAY worse. Nowadays there are a ton of turtle supplies produced especially for turtles. Back then, I used to have a plant light for Sheba to bask under (!). It's amazing any turtles have survived in captivity for as long as they have!

[Take-One]

I would have kept my 4 inch turtles in a 3 gallon tank if it werent for this site. Id still just be feeding pellets too.

[Cim*Forever]

I was lucky, I found this site before I got my turtle, but pet store employees tried to tell me I was just wasting money upgrading from the 10 gallon tank they sold me with a 10 gallon filter before he had come even close to 5 inches . I kinda shrugged them off and Roscco is contently living in a 45 gallon set up and hes just about 3 inches.