Let's talk turtles. With no qualification or explanation, I asked this question of several of the known "turtle guys" at this year's recent TTPG meeting. The answers were fun, entertaining, and educational for me. I realize that everyone has different preferences in size, shape, color, personality, ease of care, etc..., but I want to know what you guys think is the "best" turtle species. Any explanation or justification for your choices are welcome. Lists of favorites are welcome. All turtle talk is welcome.
I'll start. My all time absolute favorite turtle species is the Chinese big headed turtle. Platysternon megacephalum. Why? Because I absolutely fell in love with one when I was a teenager working in a pet store. I should have bought it and taken it home when I had the chance. I intended to come back for it after getting my apartment set up in college, but it had sold and was gone two days before I came back for it. I was so stupid for not paying for it ahead of time, but it had been there for months with no one showing any interest in it. The price was a whopping $35 in 1993, and I had trouble coming up with the money. I can't help but wonder what direction my life might have gone in had I acquired that turtle and gotten into aquatics the way I got into terrestrial tortoises...
I also like, but have no experience with:
1. North American spotted turtles.
2. Indian spotted turtles.
3. Diamond back terrapins.
4. Not sure of the species, but they have some sort of giant box turtle shaped asian water turtle of some sort at the San Diego zoo in the Gharial exhibit. It walks around underwater as if it were on land. Looks to be around 18 inches long. Maybe Batagur or Heosemys or Orlitia? I watched those turtles for hours one day.
5. I've always been fascinated by the snake necked and long necked turtles, but I haven't found any experienced turtle keepers that seem to share my fascination or want to talk about them much. Anyone here keeps them or know much about them?
If someone wanted to get an aquatic turtle or three, what would you recommend for them? Asking for a friend...
I'll start. My all time absolute favorite turtle species is the Chinese big headed turtle. Platysternon megacephalum. Why? Because I absolutely fell in love with one when I was a teenager working in a pet store. I should have bought it and taken it home when I had the chance. I intended to come back for it after getting my apartment set up in college, but it had sold and was gone two days before I came back for it. I was so stupid for not paying for it ahead of time, but it had been there for months with no one showing any interest in it. The price was a whopping $35 in 1993, and I had trouble coming up with the money. I can't help but wonder what direction my life might have gone in had I acquired that turtle and gotten into aquatics the way I got into terrestrial tortoises...
I also like, but have no experience with:
1. North American spotted turtles.
2. Indian spotted turtles.
3. Diamond back terrapins.
4. Not sure of the species, but they have some sort of giant box turtle shaped asian water turtle of some sort at the San Diego zoo in the Gharial exhibit. It walks around underwater as if it were on land. Looks to be around 18 inches long. Maybe Batagur or Heosemys or Orlitia? I watched those turtles for hours one day.
5. I've always been fascinated by the snake necked and long necked turtles, but I haven't found any experienced turtle keepers that seem to share my fascination or want to talk about them much. Anyone here keeps them or know much about them?
If someone wanted to get an aquatic turtle or three, what would you recommend for them? Asking for a friend...
