I have a little bit of turtle experience from years passed, but not a whole lot. I'm interested in getting a turtle, but I'd love to converse with people who know them better than me. I've narrowed down the species I'm interested in, but I need tips and advice from people who know turtles better than I do.
Here are my priorities, or likes and dislikes, to put it another way:
Here are my priorities, or likes and dislikes, to put it another way:
- I don't like shy or reclusive animals. Bold, curious and outgoing is my preference. I don't mind if they are aggressive either as long as they are out and about, active and "friendly".
- I like easy keepers. Don't want anything that is difficult to set up, feed or maintain.
- Since it will be mostly indoors, I think, Something on the small side is appealing. I can do an outdoor set up too, but I'll need help and ideas with that as I'm really lacking in experience with housing any turtle species outdoors full-time. I've done temporary sunning enclosures for fair weather, but that is the extent of my experience. Mostly kiddie pools with shade and a haul out.
- It gets hot here in summer. Heat tolerance is a plus.
- I don't like delicate animals that get sick easily. Hardiness and adaptability is a plus.
- I find all of the following species attractive in their own ways, so appearance doesn't matter that much.
- Southern painted turtle. Just learned about these the other day. Seems to me like they have the good points of a RES with out the bad points.
- Western painted turtle. Same as above. Which would be better suited to my above criteria? The southerns are smaller, but the Westerns certainly aren't too big for my intentions. And so pretty.
- Snake necks or side necks. I've been intrigued with this group for a while. I know very little about them. Internet searches don't turn up much useful info. Anyone got tips on these?
- North American Spotted turtles. These have always been a favorite, but how outgoing are they in an indoor tank or tub?
- Indian spotted turtles. I dig these. They seem to have good personalities too. I have several sources for them in CA, so CBW permit isn't an issue.
- Chinese big headed turtle. This one has been a favorite for decades. More people are captive breeding them now, so getting one has become an option again.