Is it bad to keep a turtle as a pet

Keeping a turtle as a pet is a large undertaking. 6-foot tank5-6 Hatchlings.

Aquatic turtles cannot retain heat for as long as terrestrials.

Is it bad to keep a turtle as a pet. Reptiles are ectothermic animals meaning they cannot regulate their own body temperature. Therefore a turtle receives its heat from its enviornment. A cold turtle will not be lively and can kill your pet.

Understand that turtles are not primarily a hands-on pet. The same goes for tortoises although people do seem to interact more with them. Both species can and most likely carry salmonella.

Turtles are often sold as low maintenance pets but the truth is they need special care and a lot of room to grow. Turtles will not survive in a small dish with a plastic palm tree. They need the right lighting temperature and water filtration system.

Countless pet turtles die. Do not buy banned or wild caught ones as it is illegal to keep them turtles as pets. The main point in keeping pet turtles as with any other pets is being responsible.

Turtles tortoise and terrapins can live for decades if handled properly. Food housing and vet care can be costly over time though so be prepared. Some turtles and tortoises just make horrible pets for most people like Cherry head red foots common red foot tortoises sliders snapping turtles soft shell turtles leopard tortoises mata Mata turtles and giant tortoises.

I see those way too often than they need to be kept. But that doesnt excuse the fact that there are plenty of great examples of other turtles and tortoises. The most common types of turtles are the aquatic varieties such as the red-eared slider the mud turtle the musk turtle and the cooter.

Keeping a turtle as a pet is a large undertaking. They can live for decades and require very specific housing whether you opt for a land-based or aquatic type. Having said that a turtle can be a fascinating and attractive pet that will provide you with hours.

It really depends on what you want in a pet. And you should be aware that its really going to be your turtle children rarely are able to maintain the level of interest required to take care of a pet like a turtle. Turtles are high-maintenance animals and are not very interactive.

You may conclude that a turtle is a good pet. This is true as you only need to keep his environment clean provide him food and a basking area. This is unlike dogs where you have to exercise them each day and avoid leaving them for a long time alone or else.

They will get anxiety. This makes turtles the best pets especially for busy people. They will not hurt you.

They are harmless animals if were referring to the kind of turtle that you would purchase as a pet. You wouldnt want to bring home a snapping turtle to your family but any found at your local pet store are great. You can buy cute turtle stuff.

Most importantly if you find out that a pet turtle is not for you please dont release it into the wild. Many pet turtle species are not meant to live in the wild and will die without care or can introduce diseases that can sicken wild turtles. There are plenty of animal shelters or turtle rescues that will take in an unwanted pet.

One interesting animal to look after is the pet turtle. However acquiring one should not be done as an impetuous decision. There is an increasing number of turtles that escaped or dumped in Northland waterways and it is now causing problems to the ecosystem.

Kayla Thompson the Duty Manager at pet shop Barkleys on the River suggested that people should research before getting a pet turtle because. A big problem with turtles and tortoises is that the most common species in the pet trade are not necessarily the most suitable pets. Chicarella says that while for her Wasabi is worth it she recommends that no one get an African spur-thigh.

Aquatic turtles cannot retain heat for as long as terrestrials. Around 80F during the day 70F at night. Turtles require 12 hours of sun a day.

Also do not take your turtle in and out of the tank. It can severely affect its immune system. Keep your turtle away from any other pets that can do harm to it.

TANK-To keep a baby turtle as a pet you first need a fish Tank. Here is a guide to show you how many turtles you can have in different size tanks. 6-foot tank5-6 Hatchlings.

FILTER-Turtles produce a lot of waste so an adequate filter will be needed to keep the water clean. For large tanks we recommend an external. Keep any enclosure back from the edges of shelves tables or bureaus and secure cords going to and from lights heaters and filters to avoid both tripping and curious mouths.

Talitha_it Thinkstock Previous Next. Dont Overfeed Your Turtle. Like many other animals turtles are opportunistic feeders and will often continue to eat as long as food is available.

Countless pet turtles die from being kept in inadequate conditions. Turtles shipped by mail and other delivery services often die on the way. If maintained properly however turtles can live for decades and grow to be a foot long.

Thats a lifetime responsibility that many people are not prepared to meet. If youve done extensive research and are prepared for the commitment and responsibility. Turtles are fascinating quiet and relatively undemanding in nature.

This can make them an appealing option as a pet. Owning a pet turtle however wont be for every household. They arent particularly interactive or cuddly creatures they can carry diseases and with their famously long lifespans they may even outlive you.

Turtles can certainly make great pets but as with any other type of reptile you must be sure to select a species that you can care for properly. Its also important to remember that most turtles will live very long lives so you must also pick one youre sure youll still enjoy caring for decades from now. You should never release a captive reptile into the wild so youll likely be stuck with your turtles.