Turtles For My Son For Xmas

[tropicaltink81]

hi i have recently been to peter barrats and my son became attatched to the turtles,he has allwats wanted one

they were priced at 10-20.00

there was chinese soft shell and dunno that others the man said i would only need a small tank aprox 30litre to keep them i have baught a nice tank and a turtle surface thingy its like a wire thing with suckers and floats to the level of the water im readt to buy turtle/turtles?

how many and what do they eat and what temperature?
ect please help

 

[Sharpie]

Chinese soft shell- http/www.reptilekeeper.co.uk/chinesesoftshellturt.php

I've never had a turtle, I'm just good at finding information. Just make sure to research any turtle or any pet for that matter before getting it. The soft shell needs live food like fish and pinks (baby mice) and it will grow to 10in long. Good luck

 

[shroob]

If it grows to 10", it will need more than a 30 litre tank, I read the correct size is 10gallons/inch of turtle. They produce massive amounts of waste, so good filtration is a must.
'Housing - An enclosure measuring at least 150cm by 60cm by 45cm (5ft by 2ft by 18inches) should be provided '
Taken from the link above.

 

[Buslady]

hi i have recently been to peter barrats and my son became attatched to the turtles,he has allwats wanted one

they were priced at 10-20.00

there was chinese soft shell and dunno that others the man said i would only need a small tank aprox 30litre to keep them i have baught a nice tank and a turtle surface thingy its like a wire thing with suckers and floats to the level of the water im readt to buy turtle/turtles?

how many and what do they eat and what temperature?
ect please help

How old is you son? I am a turtle keeper, and usually I don't reccomend them for under 12s and even then they must be really into taking care of any turtle. They're not a playful pet. They're best to be observed. Never listen to a pet store person, they'll tell you anything to sell you an animal. head on over to turtleforum.com and get advice there. I'm on there all the time. Softies are NOT small turtles, a small tank no way. You'll need at least a 75 gallon, a good canister rated twice that of the tank, and proper sobstrate for softies, they like sand I believe. I'm a wood turtle breeder not softies so I dont know much on them.

 

[steedam]

Hi

I have 2 turtles, a map belly and a yellow belly...they are gorgeous and were a gift from my husband but i wouldnt recommend them for a child.

I started with a small tank like we were told in the shop and i now have a four foot tank!! They grow quickly and make alot of mess!! My worry would be that once the novelty wears off you will be the one cleaning them and its not a nice job.

Dont get me wrong, they are great and a great talking point but you cant play with them or cuddle them.

You need a good filter, a good basking area which needs to be big enough for when they grow and be prepared to get a bigger tank too. Dont forget the lighting too.

Good luck with whatever you decide but maybe it would be best to start him off with some nice fish?

Ann

 

[Buslady]

Hi

I have 2 turtles, a map belly and a yellow belly...they are gorgeous and were a gift from my husband but i wouldnt recommend them for a child.

I started with a small tank like we were told in the shop and i now have a four foot tank!! They grow quickly and make alot of mess!! My worry would be that once the novelty wears off you will be the one cleaning them and its not a nice job.

Dont get me wrong, they are great and a great talking point but you cant play with them or cuddle them.

You need a good filter, a good basking area which needs to be big enough for when they grow and be prepared to get a bigger tank too. Dont forget the lighting too.

Good luck with whatever you decide but maybe it would be best to start him off with some nice fish?

Ann

You know the Yellowbelly will get huge while the map turtle will stay small?