.: Turtles as pets? - An owners Review

Are you thinking of buying a turtle as a household pet? Well, as the owner of a beautiful terrapin, here are some things i would have much appreciated knowing before i bought my loveshell.

Turtles are EXPENSIVE
Turtles alone aren't very expensive, not in comparison to tortoises which go in the hundreds, i got my adult female for just £20 at my local reptile shop. However, Turtles require a balanced diet of dry food, and fruit and vegetables. This can be quite expensive but it is very important, feeding a turtle dry food constantly is like being fed chocolate cake constantly, and it's just not fair. Also the tanks can be expensive, my tank cost me around a £100, with the heating and lamp included. My chemically washed rocks cost £30 alone...

Turtles STINK
Now don't get me wrong, turtles are wonderful, and smell lovely, but then POW. They shit. And it's unbelievable, i have seen baby terrapins poop and Ok, it's not that bad. But adult terrapins, it sprays out like nothing else. And can really clog up the tank. My turtle likes to poo when she's walking around outside the tank, and walks as she does it, so she leaves me a nice long trail of poop to wash up. Also, beware of the repulsive smell from the tank if you haven't washed it. It's bad...

Turtles aren't loved by everyone
I've had police officers, leave the house and go back to their car upon seeing my turtle, and that's not actually a lie. Some people can get really freaked out by them, some people just feel sick and some feel fear. Which is strange for us turtle lovers, no one can understand what we see in them. No one in my household can tolerate the turtle, but to me, she is adorable. So this is something to consider i suppose.

Turtles take TIME AND EFFORT
Basically, cleaning the tank is a pain, and you have to do it often. My turtle also enjoys to stroll in the garden every now and agian, but i have to keep a close eye on her.

Turtles HATE everything.
You can just see it in the turtles scornful expression. It looks at you with a constant critical eye. Turtles hiss like cats if you handle them too much, or if they are generally pissed off. And cuddling a turtle is possibly the hardest thing to do. If they are as big as mine that is. They scratch down your body with their immense claws, attempt to bite you and generally, just poo all over you. And it's runny too.

Turtles are NOT at all interactive
They are generally pissed off at being stuck in a shell, and struggling to move, they spend most of their time hiding and pretending to be a rock. And they don't have any love for you what so ever, they just stir at you with that same sour expression.

On the contrary...

Turtles are rare pets, and can fascinate some people, rather than make them feel ill. They are beautiful little creatures who stay with you a long proportion of your life. And can be great little friends when your down. They don't ask for much really, just to be kept healthy. I personally love my turtle to bits, even though she hates me. And have had some joyous occasions with her. (see below)