All Turtles Message Board

robyn · Guest Joined: 30 Jul 2007 Posts: 1

greeting tutle-loving folks! my name is robyn. yesterday my 8 year old daughter found a really cool turtle in the park behind our house. i have read that its bad to keep a turtle from the wild because it could be sick or carry parasites... it seems to be a male (very long claws) & i think it's a box turtle. it has beautiful orange markings on it's front legs, not a bit shy, very social & active & seems quite healthy. we have fallen in love with him and have named him "mo mo". we really want to keep him. what kind of parasites can they carry? am i compromising my daughter's health by keeping it? i am planning to get it checked out by a vet if we keep it (but i don't have much $$ to devote to another pet). also, i have two cats.... how do cats normally react to turtles? so far they seem like they could care less. lastly, do they have to have the two different kinds of lamps for survival? i know how those pet stores are - they try to sell you everything & sometimes things that are unecessary. this is a great site with a wealth of info. i am hoping somebody can help me to understand these issues. any advice would be most appreciated! thanks & blessings

Rachel16 · Level 3 Joined: 18 Jul 2007 Posts: 378

well y dont u give the turtle a good bath with a tooth brush no soap though the one "parasite" that is world known is Salmonella and if u wash your hands when done touching turtle your most likley not to get it.
usualy cats dont really like turtles and somtimes eat em so keep an i on them. if u wanna play safe get both lamps but i only use a basking light but its your decision. any more questions?
_________________
Tara Dakota

In memory of Tara who died unexpectedly 4Pm on January 14, 2007

torifritz30 · Level 2 Joined: 26 Jun 2007 Posts: 90

yeha i have a three toed box turtle from arkansas [from the wild] and it is like you are discribing him!! lol so it might me a three toed box turtle....yeha mine hasnt been shy !!!lol

Linzlou83 · Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2007 4:17 pm Post subject:

Hi Robyn,

How is your new friend adjusting to captivity? The caresheets for land tortoises on the internet are usually pretty accurate if you're looking at a trust site or source. They need proper food, UVA/UVB lights, temperatures, and room to move. Turtles roam by nature and although they are slow moving, they are quite active when happy.

Anytime you take on a pet, especially one that you take from the wild, you have to expect to duplicate it's natural conditions in your home for it to be happy and healthy. Turtles are a life long committment, as they can live for 20-30 years in some cases and do cost quite a bit of money in the long run.

Good luck!
_________________
I brake for turtles!

Robin_Luver13 · Posted: Sat Nov 10, 2007 11:46 am Post subject:

Turtles can carry diseases, but you are not compromising your daughters health if you emphasize that hands MUST be washed before and after handling or feeding the turtle, or handling or cleaning anything in its environment. I don't know that much about box turtles to know by your description, but there are many care sheets and LOADS of information on this site. As far as your cats go, Just make sure you have a lid on your tank. My cat is an avid hunter and he will sit on top of my tanks chickenwire cover but has never swatted at the tank or laid a paw on my turtle.

Best of luck with your new friend!
_________________
I'm back! Hope I can help...

I love my baby, Robin, an Eastern Painted Turtle

ryanandsuzyro · Level 3 Joined: 19 Nov 2006 Posts: 207

skslover · Posted: Sat Nov 17, 2007 8:37 pm Post subject:

First of all it is a female =] second I used a UVA only light for years and my turtle was fine and now I have 3 turtles in my outdoor pond and they are fine so i dont know what other people think happens but I have had land turtles and even have a little area for if we rescue one so either way u can always ask me ^_^ and if you could put pictures of it on here i could tell you what kind of turtle it is or find out ^_^
_________________
<a><img></a><br><a>glitter-graphics.com</a>