Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,

I'm new to turtles, but am looking to get one. I used to have a leopard gecko and fish, so i'm not new to the petting world. I came here before needing help, and got it.. so i was wondering if you all could get me starting.

I'm looking for a turtle (or tortoise, not sure which), that doesn't need to be in water... If some of the tank has to be filled that okay. Basically an environment that won't smell. I want something different, something exotic, with bright colors, especially bright green. I'm also looking for something fairly reasonably priced

Could anyone get me started with a species or idea? Thanks in advance

Torts dont do well in Aquariums belive me. They also smell belive me on that 2 ick. My fav kinda turtle is a Painted. Males stay small and have great personalities. However when you get a turtle there is alot of costs involved. Such as Filters, a BIG aquarium, Lights, fresh food, can food. Over the long hall my turtles have cost me alot of money. I built them a pond in my basement that cost me around 200 bucks . I also built a pond outside for them but my parents paid for that looks good 2. My russian tort also cost me alot he was 50, plus I bought a aquarium at first with lights and all that. Now I got him a cage that is huge and cost me about 75 bucks. Here is a pic of my speedy.

Nothing bright green fits what you are looking for. Colorful -- there are some options. Ornate wood turtle comes to mind. You could have a nice Terrarium set up for it with heat and basking lamps have most of be land and a a nice sized pan of water for it soak in. They are brightly colored animals and reasonably priced in general.

Not mostly land, 50/50...ornates are highly aquatic..at least mine are.
My boy Don, prefers to eat either land or water. Jessie, his girl, prefers water only. I have not seen her eat on land. So water is extremely important.

About that mostly land thing....

That's what all the caresheets say, and that's what the pet store said, and that's what I did. My little guy spent the whole day in his water tub and wouldn't eat, wouldn't move, etc. I had all the temps right (accoring to the caresheets) and was trying all the right foods. I finally brought him to the vet. She suggested trying 2/3 water 1/3 land, or maybe even 3/4 water. She also suggested feeding more worms than veggies.

Now he's a happy guy, swims around his 55 gallon tank about 70% of the time, basks on his rocks the rest of the time. He comes over to me when I ask if he wants his worms and will eat them right from my hand. He's thriving with temps about 10°F warmer than the caresheets said.

Just goes to show that every animal is different, and what works for one may not work for another in the same species.

Alison

If they are adults and "resonably priced", they are probably wild-caught. That means you'll have to go to a vet to have a fecal done to check for intestinal parasites, and likely treat with Panacur or Flagyl to deal with those, not to mention that many of the animals are stessed and some die along the way. There are some hatchling/juvenile CA wood turtles available at shows on on-line, but they'll cost a little more than a wild-caught adult, but they're worth it.

Katrina