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Need a Good Beginner Turtle |
| This is what our member has to say: Hey guys....
My girlfriend is looking into getting a pet turtle but is a complete novice. After a quick trip to the pet store I ... |
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08-10-2008, 01:40 PM
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Need a Good Beginner Turtle
Hey guys....
My girlfriend is looking into getting a pet turtle but is a complete novice. After a quick trip to the pet store I was told a yellow bellied slider would be a good starter that doesnt get too big. Are there any other species you could suggest that dont get too big and are a good start for someone without experience?
Thanks....
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08-10-2008, 02:19 PM
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Re: Need a Good Beginner Turtle
Yellow bellied sliders, as well as red eared sliders get to be about 7- 9 inches and require a HUGE set up. 10 gallons of space per inch of turtle. So if you have one turtle, you are looking at a 70- 90 gallon tank. They also require 3 times the filtration so if you have lets say 50 gallons of water in that 90 gallon set up, you need a canister filter that can handle 150 gallons of water.
Check our this Red Eared slider care sheet. I believe their care is the same as the Yellow Bellied.
Red-Eared Slider Care Sheet and Information - WNYHS
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08-13-2008, 03:27 PM
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Re: Need a Good Beginner Turtle
This is a great site too: Redearslider.com :: All about Red Ear Sliders and the Turtle Talk forum. They are loaded with info and the forum is great. I suggest doing a lot of research before you get an animal. Turtles are a huge commitment. They can live in captivity for at least 40 years.
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08-14-2008, 10:15 AM
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Re: Need a Good Beginner Turtle
Thanks guys
Are there many other options for something that doesn't get quite so big?
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08-14-2008, 10:21 AM
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Re: Need a Good Beginner Turtle
I think that's about it. 
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08-14-2008, 01:47 PM
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Re: Need a Good Beginner Turtle
You could also go with a box turtle but it's going to require a pretty large enclosure as well.
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08-14-2008, 01:49 PM
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Re: Need a Good Beginner Turtle
And box turtles really aren't very good starter turtles.
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08-14-2008, 03:01 PM
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Re: Need a Good Beginner Turtle
That's the problem with turtles, it's not the animal, it's the size of their enclosure they need!
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08-14-2008, 03:54 PM
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Re: Need a Good Beginner Turtle
Turtles aren't really good starter herps unless you have a lot of space. Maybe you should introduce her to a leopard gecko or a Whites tree frog, they are hard to resist and take less space.
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08-14-2008, 07:09 PM
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Re: Need a Good Beginner Turtle
Maps, muds, and musks don't get that big. Austin Turtle Page's caresheet list shows a bunch of turtles and their sizes. There are some turtles that can live in 55 gallons. But that's the smallest tank you're going to need. If you do make the decision to get a turtle, make sure and only get one. Turtles don't do well together in most cases.
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