General Care Discussion :: Everyone- New Survey- Where and How is best way to get RES?

[Tiny]

Many of my students have been asking where to get a pet Red Ear Slider. They all seem to know about the Myrtle Beach gift shop turtles, and the petcos and petsmarts. I am hesitant in advising because I bought Tiny as a baby at Myrtle Beach from poor conditions, really knowing nothing about them. I was lucky to have the ability to research and funds to support my turtle whim once I had committed. I don't know that I would have gotten her from the beach tank had I had it to do over. Maybe I would have adopted. Maybe I would have bought her at home in NY, with less than a 15 hour ride home with a baby turtle. Also in NY, I wouldn't have the option of gettinga baby turtle either.

There's just alot to consider so, Where did you get your turtle? How old were they? What is the ideal age and scenario for getting a pet Red Ear? I truly believe your stories and advice could help my studnets and their parents get the right turtle, the right way, rather than getting thesummer vacation turtle that might not make it home. Thanks in advance for sending these kids in the right direction.

PS- It is not my intent to discourage kids from becoming responsible turtle owners, so I would apreciate it if we didn't tell them not to get them. Thank You-
Tiny

[Starchick]

The best thing you can do is adopt an adult turtle in need of a home and give it a good life. There are always people giving away or selling turtles on craigslist. You could also suggest turtlehomes.org, although they require that you already have the habitat before you apply to adopt. There are reputable breeders online, but there are so many disreputable ones that I would probably not even mention that. I see that you're in upstate new york, if you're anywhere near Cicero/Syracuse, there's a store called Ack's Exotic Pets that is definitely worth checking out. The owner is very knowledgeable and it's a cool store. I got all of my turtles from people who had them as pets and didn't want them anymore, except for my boxie who was rehomed with me through a rehabilitator. It's certainly cute and fun to raise a turtle from a baby, but there are so many adults that need good homes, I would encourage the students that can handle it to go that route.

[Dormant]

Well, I suggest that your students look into the cost and supplies before deciding they want a red eared slider. I definitely suggest they have an understanding of why the turtle needs everything owners give it such as the UVB/heat/amount of food/etc, why it requires filtration and so on.

I'd also implore them that if they are serious, buy the set up first and test it out to make sure it meets the standard requirements for keeping a turtle. Don't let the students jump into this unwisely because it is a serious investment, both now and in the future.

As long as someone does that, I can't see why they wouldn't be prepared. Whether someone is old enough to understand this is really relative to the student but I'm sure you'd probably have a grasp on their behavior to see if they really would enjoy the turt.

I got my turt five months ago, it was a hatchling and it was my first Red Ear. I actually did the opposite of what I described, granted my situation was different....luckily I had the money to be able to provide for the turtle. My girlfriend actually brought the hatchling to Connecticut from China Town, NY on a whim and a surprise so it was a nervous scuffle to get everything we needed to sustain his life.

But yeah, I'd just show them the website and let them know how serious and how much work goes into sustaining their life. It's not like a dog where honestly it's a lot more simple to raise, it requires attention...

[BullDog]

I got Ralph 14 years ago from my local petstore as a hatchling. Granted, the conditions weren't optimal, maybe 20 or so in a 30 gal, but the tank was filled up and they had a dock with a light.
Frankie, I "rescued" from the same petstore 3 months ago. Not sure of her age, but I figure she's about as old as Ralph.

I agree that you should make sure your students are fully aware of the responsibilities of keeping a turtle before they even talk to their parents. Then, if you find out a student is getting a turt, maybe you can talk to the parents to make sure they understand as well.

Consider this: Frankie, who was "free", cost me about $600 in the first 2 weeks I had her. Put in a way a kid would understand, that's 2 years worth of allowances ($5/ week, which is more than most get, I'm sure!)

[Starchick]

Actually, depending on where you are in upstate new york.....there's this guy!

http://utica.craigslist.org/for/640656415.html

55 bucks including the tank, not too bad. Wish I could have him but we're literally out of space!

[SpotsMama]

I'm a fan of getting a grown turtle from a rescue. The advantage of having a grown one is that he/she's lived past the delicate hatchling stage and is more likely to survive. A greater percentage of hatchlings get sick than grown turtles. I guess it's because only the hardy ones make it to adulthood.

[TheComputerGremlin]

What age are your students? That's important in deciding what size is best. Obviously if they can adopt a turtle, that's the best scenario, but they also routinely sell them in pet stores. I'm in the Albany, NY, area (I know that "upstate NY" encompasses a huge area, so I don't know where you are), but we see turtles in pet stores all over. One thing to teach your children, the law. It's illegal to buy baby turtles. So tell them that if a reputable pet store should sell turtles over 4". Also, in terms of upgrading, the older the turtle, the better. A parent might spend $500 setting up the first tank, and then realize that they need a larger tank. Suddenly they aren't happy with the family pet. So bigger turtles need fewer upgrades. I have *never* seen or heard of baby turtles when I was little (from OH), so I don't know how the kids know about these turtles (I visited the beach plenty, only saw hermit crabs). I personally got my turtle when he was 1-1.5" up at the Warrensburgh Garage Sale in September. But following the care sheet I was given, he was in a 3 gallon tank for 3 months. I'd always recommend an older turtle, never a baby.

[Tiny]

Thanks for the input everyone. My 4th graders are only about 9 or ten years old, so moms and dads would be overseeing the purchase and care. I was really on the fence about baby turts or not. I now see and agree that adult is much better because of the durability and less chance of having to buy a new set up. These were both issues when I got Tiny. I worried all the time, as if she was a human baby. I too had to re-set up, COSTLY!

The Myrtle Beach baby turtles are soooo tempting. They have tanks full of them all over the place. They only sell the turtles though- no real important supplies are sold in those gift shops. I had to investigate and find a petsmart to get what I really needed. It was a very decieving purchase, and a gamble driving home 15 hours wth a baby turtle, that I knew nothing about. I'm glad we made it though. Tiny has brought hours of pleasure and joy to my life. I hope that my students can also enjoy this type of pet. Your advice will no doubt steer them in the right direction- adults not babies.

Thanks,
Tiny

[1981camaroz28]

Even if you decide on a baby turtle one piece of advice I would give is from the start get the largest tank you can and the best filter. I have 2 turtles about 4 inches each in a 120 gallon tank they love to swim. Whatever you decide on a tank size double the filter size my 120 has filters that handle 250 gal.

[Reel Girl]

Here in San Diego, we have a Turtle/Tortoise Society & Rescue Organization. They always have a booth set up at the big home shows - - they have soooo many turtles/tortoises that need homes and are also always looking for people who will "foster" turtles.
I would look for this type of organization - plus they are a good support system/resource for all things turtle related!
TheComputerGremlin makes an excellent point about grown turtles needing less upgrades - - I have only had Sheldon a month, and the 10 gallon tank and lame filter I purchased are already too small!