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Turtles

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  • 03-12-2006 7:26pm
    #1
    godtabh
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 23,219 Mod ✭✭✭✭


    Were would be the best place to get these?

    Any one knows where there is any special deals on at the moment?

    Also any information or experience with them would be great.


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    #2
    tallus
    Registered Users Posts: 6,324 ✭✭✭tallus


    Try Boardwark Pets or Reptile Haven.
    Be aware that they can grow as big as a dinner plate in some cases, and they have a high vitamin D3 UVB requirement. Diet is also important, and their water has to be kept clean. They can also live for up to 100 years.
    They need to have a basking hot spot, UVB lights rarely last any more than 9 months, and that's one of the good lamps, and they are pretty pricy. I have tortoises, they need UV from the same spectrum, the lamps cost 75 euro each.
    try this site for information:
    http://www.tortoisetrust.org/backidx.html
    I think it's the best source of information on all things chelonian. Tortoises and turtles are pretty much specialised as pets, but the pet shops wont tell you that. They do need a lot of tlc so please think about it before you commit to purchasing one or a pair. They are pets that need a lifetime of commitment and do need a lot of care, despite what the pet shops will tell you.


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    #3
    godtabh
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 23,219 Mod ✭✭✭✭godtabh


    tallus wrote:
    Try Boardwark Pets or Reptile Haven.
    Be aware that they can grow as big as a dinner plate in some cases, and they have a high vitamin D3 UVB requirement. Diet is also important, and their water has to be kept clean. They can also live for up to 100 years.
    They need to have a basking hot spot, UVB lights rarely last any more than 9 months, and that's one of the good lamps, and they are pretty pricy. I have tortoises, they need UV from the same spectrum, the lamps cost 75 euro each.
    try this site for information:
    http://www.tortoisetrust.org/backidx.html
    I think it's the best source of information on all things chelonian. Tortoises and turtles are pretty much specialised as pets, but the pet shops wont tell you that. They do need a lot of tlc so please think about it before you commit to purchasing one or a pair. They are pets that need a lifetime of commitment and do need a lot of care, despite what the pet shops will tell you.


    Thanks for the info.

    I saw a starter back in a local pet shop for €150.

    Do thurtles grow to fit the size of where they live like goldfish or will they grwo and grow?

    How big of a tank would you want?

    These things were tiny? Are there small species of them that wouldnt grow that big?


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    #4
    FranknFurter
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,215 ✭✭✭FranknFurter


    kearnsr wrote:
    Thanks for the info.

    I saw a starter back in a local pet shop for €150.
    "Starter packs" usually dont contain everything you need. Do some careful research before you spend one penny.

    kearnsr wrote:
    Do thurtles grow to fit the size of where they live like goldfish or will they grwo and grow?

    Neither goldfish nor turtles do this, it is a myth.
    (Not trying to be bitchy but if you need to ask that you really shouldnt be considering buying one yet).
    kearnsr wrote:
    How big of a tank would you want?

    Depends on species, but if you are talking about the usual suspects (RES) then huge, they will eventually grow the size of dinner plates and will probably outlive YOU!
    kearnsr wrote:
    These things were tiny? Are there small species of them that wouldnt grow that big?
    They will probably grow VERY big VERY quick. Its likely you are looking at babies. What did they look like?

    This is a very expensive (to keep) pet and requires a lot of specialist care. And most if kept right can live for decades. Think VERY carefully and research research research!

    B


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    #5
    tallus
    Registered Users Posts: 6,324 ✭✭✭tallus


    I totally agree with frankenfurter here, they are not the easiest reptiles to look after and deserve to be properly cared for. I'd strongly advise you to check out the tortoise trust site link I posted earlier, it's a great source.
    Even some of the smaller species of Turtles grow large enough to warrant having a large tank, a friend of mine recently rescued a yellow eared slider and ended up buying one of those garden pond things, you know the hardened plastic base things? not sure what the proper name for them is. Luckily she has been keeping chelonians for over ten years and had the requisite knowledge to take the correct steps to care properly for the critter.


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