Starter Turtle?

[ColoradoRiverRafter]

Hey. I was wondering. Would a Mississippi map turtle be a good starter reptile? Thanks!

 

[DragonsInKansas]

Now you've moved on to turtles? What happened to the beardie......snake........gecko....plan?

 

[Twobeardieguy]

I still think beardie. :wink: I herd the box turtle is also a good starter or a red ear slider.

 

[nrich]

it is a common misconception that box turtles are a good starter because they stay small, however they have very specific requirements that can often be difficult to replicate. They need high humidity, uvb, a varied diet of protein, fruit and vegetable matter and a large enclosure (at least 55 gallons per turtle).

Red Eared Sliders can get over a foot in size and require a very big enclosure that is at least two times deeper than they are long in order to thrive as well as uvb and a very varied diet. They are also super, duper messy.

painted turtles stay a little smaller as do some varieties of musk, but I would never consider a turtle as a good starter pet. mostly because many of them are a lifelong commitment. Turtles and tortoises live a very, very long time. When purchasing one, you have to consider where you are going to be in 5, 10, 25 years from now. Is this a pet that you are going to want to keep that long?

 

[GoFast]

I think you should stick to goldfish. I can't imagine you committing to something for long than a few months. All these animals are long term commitments and you can't seem to stick to one plan for more than a few days.

 

[ColoradoRiverRafter]

I think you should stick to goldfish. I can't imagine you committing to something for long than a few months. All these animals are long term commitments and you can't seem to stick to one plan for more than a few days.

You don't know me. This is very frustrating for me because this will probably be my last pet until I graduate. I have raised multiple fish, a guinea pig that lived way past four years, and I have a dog and goldfish. All of these pets I have stuck with until the very end. And goldfish do not live a few months. They can live past 20 years. So, I am going to totally disregard your comment and stick to the people who will encourage and help me.

 

[ColoradoRiverRafter]

Now you've moved on to turtles? What happened to the beardie......snake........gecko....plan?

I am all over the place. I have a looong time until I have to really decide.

 

[apbgv]

Personally I love torties. I have russians, redfoots and cherry heads, and I am considering getting a boxie this spring. My torts have pens outside in the summer and I have a dedicated room in my basement for winter set up. JMHO. They are great pets, seem to like attention esp the redfoots.