Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi all! My sister is getting two turtles and i think she should get a soft shell turtle! they are good beginner turtles right? anyways, I NEED TO KNOW EVERYTHING! i dont know a thing about them! like i need the temps, amount of water, do they need hides, how to tell males form females, are there any procautions, can they bite, what do they eat, can you hold them etc.! i need everything! she is getting them on wednesday or thursday! we dont even have a tank yet! we dont even know where to get them for gosh sakes! lol please help fast! HHHEEELLLPPP!!!!!

thanks all!

Sorry this is so late, but I just saw this. First of all no, softshells are not good beginner turtles. They are very aggressive, secretive, and high maintenance. DO NOT get one of these if you don't know what you are doing. SERIOUSLY. Maybe they are nice and cute as babies, but they get very large, female spiny softshells get bigger than common SNAPPING turtles!
They require a large aquarium, bigger than what most turtles require. Sand for substrate. 75-82 degree F water. Only one basking area is needed. And fairly shallow water. They need it EXTRA clean, so have good filtration. They are strictly carnivorous, and eat feeder fish, frogs, or insects. Only give them commercial food when they are young. Be sure to provide calcium supplement. In your light fixture make suer you have a full spectrum flourescent bulb. A must for their psychological well being. Like I said, they are very mean and don't make good beginner pets. I would start with a cooter or a slider species. I hope this isnt too late. Please respond and tell me what you got.
-Logan