Have you ever owned a pet turtle?

Turtle! - Turtles are reptiles of the order Testudines (all living turtles belong to the crown group Chelonia), most of whose body is shielded by a special bony or cartilagenous shell developed from their ribs. The Order Testudines includes both extant (living) and extinct species, the earliest turtles being known from the early Triassic Period, making turtles one of the oldest reptile groups, and a much more ancient group than the lizards and snakes. About 300 species are alive today. Some species of turtles are highly endangered.
United States
December 16, 2006 4:23pm CST
I am thinking about getting one!My apartment gets very cold sometimes, he won't freeze to death like my hamster will he?
3 responses
jess368
@jess368 (3368)
• United States
18 Dec 06
yes, i currently own a box turtle. He lives in a glass aqauarium with a bowl of water for him to soak in, and then a form of substrate he burries in to sleep or hibernate. we have a heating light bulb for him. they say its good to use eight ours or so a day for heat, as well as for his eyesight. if they dont get enough uv rays they will go blind! Also he only eats about three times a week, so they are very low maintance! If you want a easy to care for pet a box turtle is the way to go!
timmahlicious
@timmahlicious (162)
• United States
19 Dec 06
That's exactly what I was thinking. Thanks!
jess368
@jess368 (3368)
• United States
23 Dec 06
no problem. i hope you get one they are so much fun to watch grow, and did you know you can teach them tricks?
Idlewild
@Idlewild (6090)
• United States
16 Dec 06
Since reptiles are cold blooded, they won't do well in cold weather. Are you talking about a box turtle (lives on land) or turltes that live in water in an aquarium? If an aquarium, you can use a heater to keep the water warm (which you would use for that purpose year round, anyway).
cristi20
@cristi20 (2139)
• Romania
16 Dec 06
yes i actually have two red spotted turtles..they are hibernating this period so i'm ok now,because they are not surprising anymore (they are everywhere in the house when i'd live their place open and because of the size you can step on them)..now they are quiet for the next 2months..great animals