pet turtle?

[bono40]

Hi folks - just wanted to run something by you real quick. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

A friend of ours has some new little turtles she's trying to find a home for. I'm sure my boys would love to have a pet turtle, but wanted to see if there was any harm with CF & owning a reptile (I've only seen this mentioned in past message titles etc. and haven't looked into it).

Any info/suggestions would be greatly appreciated - thanks!

Carey

 

[Allie]

Ry had all kinds of pets in his lifetime, I don't think a pet turtle would do too much harm, really. And they would love having a pet.

 

[Emily65Roses]

Never had a turtle, but I did have a lot of other stuff: dogs, cats, hamsters, guinea pigs, birds, fish, and a ferret now. I don't see why a turtle would do anything bad. Every kid loves to have pets.

 

[Jade]

I had several reptiles when I was around 16. Even a full grown iguana (<i>most people never realize how big they can get</i>)<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-shocked.gif" border="0">. I never had a problem as far as health issues so I guess it would be safe to have a turtle.

 

[dyza]

terrapins can carry a dangerous bug if i remember correctly, so i would do a little research first. of course i could be wrong this info could have been some kind of outbreak in the pet species 30 years ago when i was 10

 

[folione]

The turtle problem is that they pretty much all carry salmonella on their bodies. Back in the 70's a law was passed that banned selling turtles under 4" - that's why you don't see those tanks of tiny turtles any more. The 4" idea was because that size was mostly give to little kids who have a disporportionate tendency to touch things and not wash their hands....

 

[thefrogprincess]

Exactly right about the salmonella! I think it would be fine, just make sure they wash their hands real well after handling the little guy. I've always wanted a turtle, I wonder if I could convince Brian to get one.

 

[kybert]

turtles are fine unless you have a strange habit of licking them. as has been said, just get your boys to wash their hands once handling them.

 

[anonymous]

Licking a turtle, oh ewww!

Turtles are fine, I had one when I was younger( good ol' Same the turtle) and I played with him and everything. Never did me any harm. Just remember they eat crickets and those can be a pain if they get out!

Sue 24w/CF

 

[dyza]

I knew there was something about them, just couldent remember what it was..lol
As for licking one, cant say I ever did, once tried to kiss a mangy stray dog and it bit me on the lip, had to get a big jag in my arse after that............learnt my lesson...never kissed another dog ever...lol

 

[zoe4life]

My sisters kids had one of those little ones...warning...they stink!!! She would h ave to clean out their cage every day and it still had a yucky smell. I could smell it across the room. Just thought you might want to know that part!<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[anonymous]

My parents live on a lake and we have caught several baby turtles and brought them home. Previous poster was right, be forwarned they do stink. Every couple of years we catch one and bring it home and remember in a couple of days why we let the other ones go back to their home. As far as germs, we would always make our daughter wash her hands thoroughly after touching it and would even bathe the turtle with water and a toothbrush occasionally, because after so long, they start growing hairy algae on their shell.

 

[Haileysmommy]

I don't see a problem with it. We have a snake and a frog and my hubby is begging for a tortise. As long as you make the kids wash their hands after touvhing the turtle they will be fine. We also have the instant hand sanitizer by their cages in case the kids forget to wash.