Pet turtles

Turtles (referred to as either tortoises or terrapins in British English if they are terrestrial or freshwater aquatic respectively) have been quite widely kept as pets in many countries.

One commonly sold tortoise is ( Geochelone sulcata ), the African spurred tortoise or sulcata. Pet stores sell these tortoises many times not telling a customer that they can (albeit rarely) grow to be over 150 pounds (68kg).

Acquisition
Many sellers acquire their stock from the wild. This practice is contributing to reduced populations in their natural habitats. Many turtles and tortoises are shipped in inadequate conditions and get sick or die before reaching the sellers. Many pet stores do not have personnel with the knowledge to recognize disease symptoms. Many wild caught chelonians do not adapt to life in captivity and fail to thrive.

Care
Contrary to popular belief, turtles and tortoises are not easy to care for as pets. Aquatic turtles can live thirty to forty years and box turtles and tortoises can live to be 60-100 or more years with proper care.

Diet
Most freshwater turtles are omnivores eating both plant and animal matter. The young start off being more carnivorous and then eat more plant matter as they age. Some freshwater turtles such as the snapping turtles are mostly carnivorous, eating fish, crustaceans, carrion and occasionally unsuspecting water birds when in the wild. Freshwater turtles such as cooters and red-eared sliders are primarily herbivores eating various aquatic plants. Most tortoises are 100 percent herbivores.

Some Most Common Problems in Captivity
Below are some of the more common problems owners may have when keeping turtles and tortoises as pets.

*Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD) & related problems- pyramiding, soft shell, over-grown beaks & toenails, insufficient UVB & sunlight
*Dystocia (or egg binding)
*Poor Husbandry- bacterial infections & shell rot, fungal infections, respiratory infections, prolapses, low quality of life, neglect
*Obesity- major organ failure, shortened life span
*Lack of vet care provided by owner

Human health issues
There are health concerns that can affect the owners of pet turtles. Any reptile can carry the salmonella bacteria. Turtles can carry this bacteria in their digestive system without becoming sick and can shed it periodically. People can become sick if they do not thoroughly wash their hands after handling turtles or any equipment used with them. Due to unsupervised children putting small turtles into their mouths, the FDA made a regulation in 1975 to discontinue the sale of turtles under 4 inches. It is illegal in every state in the U.S. for anyone to sell any turtles under 4 inches long. Although, many stores and flea markets still sell small turtles due to a loophole in the FDA regulation. This loophole allows turtles under 4 inches to be sold for "educational" purposes. Many sellers will sell small turtles posting a sign that they are for educational purposes but then sell to anyone who wants one. These sellers can be reported and either comply with the regulation or the turtles can be confiscated.

Legality
Some states have other laws and regulations regarding possession of Red-eared Sliders (abbreviated as "RES") as pets because they are looked upon as invasive species or pests where they are not native but have been introduced through the pet trade. As of July 1, 2007 it is illegal in Florida to sell any wild type RES. Unusual color varieties such as albino and pastel RES, which are derived from captive breeding, are still allowed for sale.

Main Menu

See Also

Main Menu