Red-eared slider

Male red-eared sliders make great beginner's pets.

While turtles might seem like perfect pets less work than dogs and cats, more interactive than fish there are a few things to keep in mind before adopting one.

They are definitely becoming more popular as pets. Some of them are very beautiful and they can be easily purchased over the internet. But there s no such thing as an easy pet, says Katrina Smith, adoptions coordinator for the Maryland-based Mid-Atlantic Turtle and Tortoise Society.

CONSIDER THE SOURCE

First, never take a wild turtle as a pet.

Chances are they won t do well in captivity, Smith says. Look into adopting

a turtle from your local turtle society or petfinder.com before buying one. And if you do buy, make absolutely sure it s been born in captivity.

The cute, tiny turtles often found at tourist shops across the country may be hard to resist, but turtle experts say you should.

Don t buy those tiny turtles you see for sale in Chinatown in New York, or in tourist shops in Daytona Beach on spring break, Smith says. They re being sold illegally.

Some states, like New Jersey, require permits for pet turtles, largely due to concerns about already stressed populations of native turtles, Smith says. Be sure to check local laws before deciding what kind of turtle to adopt, Smith says.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

Many turtles carry salmonella, making them a risk for young children, the elderly, pregnant women and others. People in those groups should avoid contact with turtles or be extra careful to wash their hands thoroughly after touching them.

Connected to this risk, federal law prohibits selling turtles less than 4 inches in size, because of the risk of children putting them in their mouths.

Dave Pauli, a senior adviser for wildlife response and policy for the Humane Society of the United States, runs a large turtle and tortoise rescue and rehabilitation center in Billings, Montana. He stresses the importance of good hygiene protocol when taking a turtle into the home.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urge people to treat all turtles as if they are contaminated with salmonella, because they probably are. Wash hands thoroughly after touching turtles, their cages or their feces, and do not touch your face, other people, or any surface until your hands have been washed. Also, turtles should be kept separate from food.

PICKING THE RIGHT VARIETY

Some turtles that start out small can grow to the size of a garbage can lid, so do your homework before selecting a type and gender of turtle to call your own. In many species, females grow to be much larger than their male counterparts, Smith says.

The best varieties for beginners are male painted turtles, U.S. mud and musk turtles, and male red-eared sliders, she says.

CARING FOR YOUR ANIMAL

Turtles require more maintenance and space than most people generally assume, Pauli says, and they live for decades, so buyers should be aware that they may well outlive them.

Turtles require a varied and sometime messy diet, room to roam in an aquarium and strict temperature control. Their habitat needs to be cleaned often, although water turtles require less maintenance than box turtles or other varieties.

GET TO KNOW YOUR TURTLE

Turtles can be beautiful pets and are really cool to have, Pauli says. They re extremely interesting and have individual personalities. But they are exotic pets, and pet store owners are generally an extremely poor source of information about them.

Experts advise seeking out a local turtle and tortoise society or club there are dozens across the country for information and for animals to adopt. Turtle societies can answer questions about caring for pets and promoting turtle welfare.

If you have a turtle that is proving to be more than you can handle, contact a turtle society about what to do, and don t release it into the wild.

Certain types of turtles red-eared sliders, for example are so frequently released into the wild that they have become an invasive species and are threatening native turtle populations.

Turtles are hardy and can be wonderful pets, experts say. Just know what you re getting into, and how to care for them properly to ensure a healthy life for the turtle, its owner, and native species in your area.

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