Who should buy a turtle, and who is contraindicated. Interview with a herpetologist

Who are turtles suitable as a pet?

For those who love turtles. This is the main criterion. In no case do I advise you to start a turtle, guided by the opinion that caring for it is simple, not expensive and “in general, a turtle can live on the floor and sleep under the battery».

What if the turtle lives on the floor?

Lots of risks. There is no necessary spectrum of lighting on the floor. The turtle will be cold. And this is traumatic: they can accidentally step on it or put furniture on it. If a dog lives in the house, then usually such a neighborhood ends badly for the turtle. 

If the turtle lives on the floor, it can eat hair, thread, wool. And it can lead to intestinal blockage. There is a risk that even one wrong wintering on the floor will lead to kidney failure.

Provide your pet with at least minimal conditions for comfort and health. For this you will need:

• terrarium;

• lamp for heating;

• ultraviolet lamp;

• priming; 

• drinker: she is a bathing suit;

• shelter for rest. 

But first, determine exactly whether you are ready to take care of a pet and whether you really want a turtle. 

And yet, how to remove doubts? For example, I want to be friends with a pet, communicate with him often, hold him in my arms. Should I buy a turtle or should I get a cat?

Definitely better than a cat. Turtles do not need affection, you cannot be friends with them in the usual sense. At best, the turtle will not be afraid of you. But this is not quite the emotional response that we want to receive from a pet, right?

For me, it’s true. But what then is the advantage of turtles? Why are they chosen as pets?

Turtles do not require as much attention as dogs and cats. And they are very beautiful, it is interesting to watch them. Turtles are interested in the environment, like to walk around the terrarium. For them, it becomes an island of wildlife in your home. 

Some say that the turtle is attached to its owners. And others that wild animals are not capable of experiencing such emotions in relation to people. Where is the truth?

I am of the second opinion. And not even because turtles are wild animals. It happens that wild mammals experience emotional attachment to humans. But it’s definitely not about reptiles.

And then how do turtles feel when you take them in your arms or stroke them? 

Turtles have sensitive zones on their shells – non-keratinized growth zones. Some people like to be touched on this part of the body. Others, on the contrary, try to get away from such contact. Large turtles may enjoy having their head or neck scratched. This is individual.

How about your turtles?

In my experience, turtles don’t like being handled. They just don’t have many ways to say it.

And how then to understand that the turtle is good?

There are win-win tips: good appetite, active behavior, the shell and beak of the correct shape, no discharge from the eyes and nose. 

I heard that sometimes turtles bite. Sometimes even very strong. Are these rumors?

Depends on the type. Aquatic turtles are usually more aggressive than land turtles. For trying to stroke, they can really bite seriously. And large vulture or caiman turtles are able to bite off a finger. So I don’t recommend ironing them.

Can a turtle recognize its name, respond to it? Or do the owners come up with the name of the turtle “for themselves”?

The turtle can actually remember its name and respond to it. But this is more the rare exception than the rule. 

Do you think friendship can be established between a man and a turtle? What does it look like?

Friendship is too complicated a concept for such a relationship. The turtle gets used to the fact that a person gives her food and, when a person appears, even goes in his direction. It looks cute, but it can hardly be called “friendship.” 

And how does a turtle recognize its human: visually, by voice or smell? Can she recognize him among other people? 

That’s a very difficult question. Some turtles begin to recognize a specific person – the one who feeds them. But by what sense organs they recognize him, I cannot say. Most likely visually. For an accurate answer to this question, it is necessary to conduct complex studies, possibly using an electroencephalogram. 

Does the turtle get bored when the owner is away for a long time?

No, turtles in general are not bored. So you can not worry when you leave for work or a walk.

Lastly, which turtle would you recommend to a beginner?

I would recommend a red-footed tortoise, if the size of an adult animal does not scare. These turtles are just distinguished by intelligence and ingenuity. Turtles are also suitable for beginners: they are beautiful, quick-witted and do not require complex care. The main thing is not to buy a baby, but at least a teenager. In captivity, babies do not have the most positive survival process, and everything can end sadly in the first year.

What if you buy a red-eared turtle? Many people start with them.

 – a good choice if you approach the issue responsibly. Unscrupulous sellers like to mislead people: they assure that the turtle will always remain “the size of a piglet”, and that it needs an aquaterrarium no larger than a soup plate. But they are silent about special lamps and heating. In reality, the red-eared turtle, of course, will need a good terrarium, heating and ultraviolet light. And it can grow up to 20 cm or more in length.