This is a rebuttal to the person who suggested not getting a turtle. I realize he has changed his mind. I would like to change it further to the positive.
Six months ago, my wife surprised me with the RES as a birthday present. It's the most awesome gift I've ever gotten.
I don't think of him as a pet. He may recognize me, but he's got nothing on the dog, for expressiveness and loving attention and wanting to share with you, etc. etc.
Instead, he's a Magnificent Beast. What a marvelous thing. I see the past in him. Once his kind evolved the shell, there was no stopping them. Just check out this quickie FAQ I've developed for turtle care:
Q: Can I put fish in with my RES?
A: You can, but he will probably eat them.
Q: Can I put plants in with my RES?
A: You can, but he will probably eat them.
Q: Can I put decorative gravel in with my RES?
A: No, you shouldn't, because he will probably eat it.
So for one thing, these terrapins are the most badass animals in the pond. They will avoid trouble for sure, but in the end they will eat you and outlive you by decades.
What I admire about the guy. Beyond the shell, his huge back feet are awesome. I can't get over how they do a half twist with the feet to maneuver them into paddle position. It's so cool.
I admire how he puts those big legs out when basking, to maximize the amount of energy he's collecting from the light. All creatures have ways to save and collect energy. This is a neat trick for a rather simple Beast.
I admire how his eyes and nose are perfect for just sticking a tiny tiny bit of turtle out of the water, to break the surface and examine the world of air. He sticks out no more than he needs to. I admire how his throat expands with air. Did you know turtles are the only beasts that can't expand their chests to breathe? The shell prevents that.
I admire the awesome colors of his massive (for him) tail, and his red ear. These are the only parts that seem to not be designed for hiding.
I admire how fast he moves when he wants to. Turtles are slow because they can be, wearing protection at all times. But if they want to really book, they will.
I admire how fast he's growing -- even if it means I have to spend more for a bigger tank. That's just the price of caring for a Magnificent Beast. I think of myself as a zookeeper of one and try hard to use the best practices a zookeeper would use.
The other day he used a new move... to get to the bottom of the tank, he just stopped moving his arms and legs, and he sank, but he looked like a lunar lander. When he got to the bottom he put out those legs and "landed".
My turtle doesn't splash too much, but when he does, I think it's funny. gloop gloop gloop gloop gloop gloop. It's just one more thing he does that's unique to him.
I'm amazed at how he is utterly willing to accept hand feeding. I hold a stick an eighth inch above the water, and he sees it, aims, and strikes at it. As long as I hold it still, he will get that stick every time.
So to sum up -- sorry, I write long messages -- I really think of it as cool that I get to share my life with this Magnificent Beast, and when people come over and see him they think it's cool too.
