Photo Gallery :: 1" or less size Baby Reds, Local pet store selling them

[valladin82]

Of course, because the kids are going to be attending the same educational class as the parents..right? *wink wink*

[Kurtni]

Funny thing is, many pet stores sell them, but they say for educational purpose only, but I've heard of them sell them to parents with there kids with them.

"Educational purposes" doesn't mean only a classroom or university environment. I doubt any of us could say we learned nothing after getting our turtles, even if it was basic biology or animal husbandry.

I think what they're instead trying to prevent (albeit, unsuccessfully) is breeding and profiting. You buying the turtle at the pet store isn't the problem, it's the pet store buying the turtles in the first place.

[austinl01]

There's a store in Louisiana that we visited that had several dozen baby RES that they were selling about the same size. They told us that there were many kids who bought from them, and they had grown them to adult size. I think they were about $15. Louisiana has some different laws than other states like the "open container" policy--I liked being able to drive thru and get a pina colada to go!

[PridgNYC]

Actually, the original reason for the 4 inch rule was because of the salmonella issue, little kids were kissing and handling the little turtles and getting food poisoning. I guess they figured that a 4 inch turtle would be less appealing to the little kids and less appealing to parents as a disposable pet.

And Educational Purposes is a euphemism for, you are willing to take responsibility for providing a controlled environment so that your 2 year old doesn't put the little guy in his mouth and die of salmonella poisoning and then you turn around and sue the seller.

[valladin82]

Either way. I keep hand sanitizer next to my tank and when I let my GF's son touch them I make sure he washes his hands and uses it after. May sound weird but I treat them like a piece of raw chicken. LOL You wouldn't go touching things or putting your hands in your mouth after holding raw chicken right? So I wash containers they are put in the same way.

[Touche the Turtle]

I've heard my friends talk about how my turtle is probably riddled with salmonella but to be honest I've never been very worried about it. I mean I always wash the sink with soap and water after siphoning turtle water and I do wash my hands with soap and water after touching her.. but that's just habit for me from having allergies to animals my whole life. Has anyone here actually had problems with salmonella poisoning from their turts?

[PridgNYC]

I haven't yet, but a recent poster started complaining of stomach problems after handling his RES extensively to treat an injury.

[valladin82]

Stomach problems can be caused by so many different things. I doubt its from the turtle. I handle mine a LOT and I've seen people and know people who kiss their turtles and never get sick.