General Care Discussion :: advise please

[melnez]

well i'm about to leave for school for the summer, but my friend wants me to get her a baby turtle. My question is, should I get it now (i'm leaving in a week) and get it used to my enivornment, should I put the baby in with my 2 inches turtle when it's going to be leaving, it'll be with me for about a week after I get home. Thanks
Oh and the baby may be a yellow belly, I'm not sure their selling red ears anymore.

Thank you

[marisa]

I have to ask---does your friend know how to properly care for a turtle (hatchlings are delicate and have especially high mortality rates)? And, if you're going to buy one from some sort of vendor at a flea market, mall, or whatever, I just have to say that it really would be better not to patronize such places. By doing this, all a person does is help perpetuate a nasty business.

Having said that, if you are determined to buy your friend a turtle, I would keep it separate from yours (don't place them together). It's recommended that, conservatively, a new turtle be quarantined from an established tank for at least 90 days, just in case the new turtle has something that other turtles (yours in this case) could get. Even in the absence of symptoms, the turtle still could be ill. I would give the baby it's own set-up until I gave it to my friend. I can't tell you when to buy it, but maybe this info will help you make a decision.

[industrial_girl_2000]

Well put, Marisa! I wouldn't add a foreign turtle into my turtle tank either without quarantine.

Also, it is important to emphasize cleanliness with turtles, especially babies. The babies carry salmonella in their digestive tract (it doesn't make them sick, it's just the way they are) so new turtle owners should be made aware to wash their hands with soap every time they handle the turtle or come in contact with the feces. Baby turtles' water should be changed frequently (daily or every 2nd day MAX.).

Have your friend first read up on what it means to be a turtle owner. Turtles tend to live a *very* long time (I've had mine for 16 yrs) & can be a lifetime commitment. If that's not what your friend wants, then maybe she should get a fish instead.

[marisa]

Most reptiles, baby or adult, many other species of animals and even humans carry the salmonella bacteria (one reason why workers in restaurants are supposed to wash their hands after using the lavatory). The bacteria is shed from the intestines when turtles are ill or stressed. Keeping turtles healthy is even more important for this reason. As noted, a good washing after handling your turtle or anything in the tank is important as well.