All Turtles Message Board

matt · Guest Joined: 08 Sep 2002 Posts: 1

hello. i am an american living in taiwan who has just bought a pet turtle from a pet store. i wonder what kind he is.
it has a really long neck that cannot retract much into the shell, webbed feet, lives underwater (fresh water), and eats lots of fish and shrimp.
any ideas?
if you have a chance, please post to let me know. i would really appreciate it.
also, i wonder if it is legal to bring him back to the states when i return. i think it is technically legal, but i\'m not sure if i can just show up at the airport with a turtle. any ideas on that one?
Hey, thanks a million.
Matt

Ibanezkid · Level 3 Joined: 25 Aug 2002 Posts: 141

When the turtle pulls its head in does it go to the side, if so it might be a side neck turtle, or maybe a snakeneck turtle.
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Krysta · Level 1 Joined: 24 Nov 2002 Posts: 20

If it is brown to black, it may be a snapper. Does it have a long tail? Compared to it\'s shell, snappers look somewhat fat. I don\'t have any other suggestions.
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Dottie · Level 2 Joined: 10 Nov 2002 Posts: 43

>>>also, i wonder if it is legal to bring him back to the states when i return. i think it is technically legal, but i\'m not sure if i can just show up at the airport with a turtle. any ideas on that one?

--Maybe you can ask the customs office in the airport? btw, where in Taiwan are u located?

Wu-Gwei · Level 3 Joined: 18 Oct 2002 Posts: 194

Hey, I\'m in Taiwan too. I live in Taipei and Matt, you\'ve got probably a snakeneck. I know the Taiwan turtle scene and most turtles are imported illegally. Therefore, there you will haave a hard time with an export permit from Taiwan to bring it back to the US.

Actually, I\'m moving back home to Canada and I have been looking into this. It\'s a hassel and I don\'t recommend that you do it. I would return the turtle and buy one when you\'re in the US. It\'s easier. I ahve grown too attached to mine and I am trying everything to birng it back.

You know that all planes do not allow reptiles in the cabin (even though the allow cats & dogs). Often they don\'t allow in cargo either. If they do, you\'ll have to check it in asa an additional baggage. And then there are costs for the permits.

Anyway, I seriously dsicourage you from trying to bring it back. It\'s given me a lot of headache. I have been playing telephone tag witht the Ministry of Agriculture. Oh, BTW, I speak Mandarin fluently, but I am still having trouble getting answers.

Good luck.

Cheers,
JJ in Hsin Tien, Taipei

PS Where are you located?