| Turtles should not be viewed as a novelty when | | | | Taking your turtle pet out to show to friends and |
| deciding to keep one as a pet. With a fairly long | | | | visitors can be harmful. As reptiles, they are |
| lifespan, these sophisticated creatures could well be | | | | cold-blooded and susceptible to changes in |
| part of a family for a few generations. | | | | temperature. Vegetation in the tank should be |
| A popular turtle pet is the Red Eared Slider turtle, | | | | non-poisonous as turtles have a tendency to feast |
| although many other forms of turtles are also kept | | | | on them. |
| as pets. Without filtration and room to grow, the | | | | Turtles are messy eaters - feeding them in a tank will |
| readily available red-eared brought over as pets | | | | help in monitoring their food as well as containing the |
| ended up being left neglected until the US | | | | mess. |
| government banned the sale of less than 4 inch | | | | Hardy turtles like the Red Eared Sliders, Mud Turtles, |
| turtles way back in 1970. | | | | Musk Turtles and Cooters are good for beginners |
| Turtle pets require proper lighting, large water tanks | | | | while the difficult, aggressive, larger variety of |
| and regular cleaning that many turtle owners, even | | | | softshell and snapping turtles are not recommended |
| today, are not aware of. Turtles seldom survive | | | | as pets. Turtle pets require lots of attention. This |
| overcrowded places in shops and fairs, neglect, and | | | | makes them more sociable and a great source of |
| stress during long hours of transportation. | | | | enjoyment for the family. |
| Children run a risk of being infected with Salmonella | | | | Turtle owners may want to try and create a natural |
| bacteria borne by a turtle pet. Most pet owners don't | | | | surrounding as much as possible for their turtle pet, |
| realize that some of their aquatic turtle pets can | | | | such as setting up a turtle pen. To try and help pet |
| grow to 12 inches, requiring adequate space and | | | | turtles hibernate, some owners have tried |
| hygienic conditions. | | | | refrigerating their turtle pet, which can be fatal during |
| UVA and UVB light-producing expensive bulbs meant | | | | a sudden power failure or rise in temperature when |
| for reptiles are required to light up the pet turtle's | | | | their slumber is disturbed. If your pet turtle is kept |
| tank, without which the pet risks developing | | | | indoors, there is no need for hibernation. |
| metabolic bone disease. Proper temperature, nearly | | | | Pet turtles can be a fantastic gift to children. |
| 12 hours of sunlight and enough water - 40 gallon | | | | However, parents busy at work or home-making will |
| tank with 70 degrees (F) daytime and 80 degrees (F) | | | | find their children neglecting the pet after the initial |
| nighttime temperatures are required to allow the pet | | | | excitement wears off, given the enormous attention |
| turtle to swim. The tank should be cleaned periodically | | | | and cleaning up that is required. |
| as it can get extremely messy. | | | | |