General Care Discussion :: playing with turtles.........

[koreyleigh]

i just looked up that diamondback.. and i'll say i recommend it too because it's just so cute!!!

[jenaero]

I only skimmed thru the answers here, but I have to put my 2 cents in. I'd advise never giving a pet as a gift, unless the person knows it's coming, and is comfortable with the commitment involved. I didn't see any mention that your mother in law knows you plan to buy her a turtle. I've seen/had pets given as gifts, resulting in the person trying to find a home for the pet they never asked for.

[Dormant]

I really don't think this is a good idea but who here could stop you? Buy a complete setup which will run you $500-$700 total with all of the proper lighting, tank, stand, filter, heater, food, basking area, vet trip and so on. Turtles are a huge undertaking, PLEASE do not underestimate it and assume that slacking on their habitat is acceptable because it's NOT. >_>

[moldygrape]

i think regardless if she can play with it or not i think with a nice set up if she really loves turtles shell love it, shell get all into it show her some website and get her some books too. i think its a good idea when people are into something they cant help but want to learn everything they can it becomes a healthy obsesion.

[mikee]

There a couple of things about handling turtles: one is that some of them have salmonella which can infect and make someone sick, the other, is that taking a turtle out of his tank and cooling down and then putting him back in on a regular basis can cause RI. I would suggest that you leave them alone unless he needs some care that is necessary.

[Stalfos]

My girlfriend surprised me with a RES on my birthday. $10 for her, $450 for me the next day after I did some research (I found this site that night). I would say that after a year and a half that I've had Sparta, I've spent about $800 on her.

But unexpected costs aside, I find that Sparta probably is the best choice for a pet for me. I work long hours, so I can't take a pet out for walks; my girlfriend is allergic to pretty much anything with fur (so anything cute and cuddly is out); birds cost too much and are generally a little (read: very) squawky. I have to say, nothing beats coming home after 10+ hours of work to see your pet literally clawing at the walls for you (even though it's begging for food, I like to think that it's for me).

[bradmeisel]

everyone has great advice ... Marisa and Bulldog are really on point.

I love the idea of buying the setup and THEN picking the animal. So much better for whatever you get.

@Zoologist -- You almost make me want to trade one of my turts in. Where do u get a DBT and how big do they get? Do you think it would play nice with my other RES?

One of my RES' lets me pet her head and shell but not like you desrcibed. My other RES is a little grumpy and timid (or smarter).