Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Remember those tiny little cute turtles that everyone used to have but then they were outlawed because they carried salmonella or something? Does anyone know the exact name of them and where I could still buy one online? What is the realistic risk of catching salmonella from them? Are there ways to prevent them from getting it to begin with? Basically i NEED one of these turtles but I don't know how to get them and once i get it, i want to know exactly how dangerous they are and how to minimize the risk. Thanks everyone.

As a quick addition - what is the smallest turtle that you can buy as a pet for under $50? It has to be a fairly simple one to care for too. Thanks.

A mini turtle? You mean baby turtles? I haven't seen them at stores since 2000, but I know some good breeders and dealers, email me Helmz614@aol.com
Michael

I live in South Carolina and during the summer you can find millions of them in gift stores.They r all RES but they never seem to get that big i have had one for 3 years and he is still under 2 inches. And the likely hood of them haveing salmonella is slim i have gotten about 10 and none of them have had it. But the down side is most do not live long for some reason. All 9 of the ones i have had have died!

Were they tested for salomenella, or did you just asume they didn't have it. If they died, it's because YOU didn't tale care of them. Any red-eared slider should live to be atleast 10 years old if it doesn't have any diseases. My Red-eared slider that I currently have is also a slow grower, I had it for 3 years, for 3 years it was the size of a quarter, then for 2 months it was fed nothing but worms and it sprouted 3 times it's size.
Michael
Michael's Place

I believe the turtles you are talking about are Red Ear Sliders. They are the most common turtle to get, and the cheapest. BUT, if you want one that will stay small, you do NOT was a red ear slider. The male can get to about 8 inches big and the female can get in excess of over 12-13 inches. If you do want a smaller turtle, I recommend a musk, mud or map turtle.

http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/ Is a good site to do some research.

You cant buy a turtle under 4 inches froma pet store, so they most commonly have RES (red ear sliders) and box turtles.

I would do a LOT of research before you decide to buy a turtle. If you do happen to get a turtl, check out with Andy @ turtlepimp.com to see whathe has avail.

I just got 2 texas Maps from him. I am hoping they are both male, cu they stay under 3 inches, and females only get to 5-6 inches as adults.

Hope that helped some.

Robyn

The care of a turtle is not cheap. Please visit some of the care sheets on the Internet, including www.chelonia.org

Turtles can and should live for decades if given proper care. No turtle should live permanently in a ten or even 20 gallon tank.

If you are interested in turtles, please see if there is a heptetological society or turtle and tortoise society in your area, where you can learn more, meet a mentor, and see various types of turtles up close. www.anapsid.org has links to some societies.

Katrina