terrapins

[Doodles]

Saw some in a shop, they look pretty cool. Just wondered if anyone keeps them?

 

[FF MkII]

Get pretty big too. When i used to live in london some of the local parks had ponds, and in these ponds we used to find terrapins. Alive and apparently thriving. It was all down to the Teenage mutant ninja turtle craze that swept the nation it the late 80's early 90's. Kids wanted a TMNT so got mummy and daddy to buy them one, actually it was a terrapin but they didnt know the difference. So when the little toy sized terrapin grew up they got thown into the local ponds.

 

[Lornek8]

Is there a particular turtle that is called a "terrapin" or is it a more general term?
I keep/kept many different turtles & tortoises.

 

[Doodles]

I think it may be a particular family of turtles:dk:

Theres some info here

http://www.terrapins.co.uk/what-is-a-terrapin.html

 

[Lornek8]

I think it may be a particular family of turtles:dk:

Theres some info here

http://www.terrapins.co.uk/what-is-a-terrapin.html

Looks like they're talking about a number of different families, common thread being (fresh) water turtles.

I've kept a few in my time.

 

[Doodles]

well they look cute when they are babies, i thought they might stay that small, guess not lol

 

[Lornek8]

well they look cute when they are babies, i thought they might stay that small, guess not lol

They are cute when small but soon outgrow it. The reason I say i've kept them & not keep them is the simple fact that they are such a pain to care for. They require exposure to sun or special lights for proper shell growth but probably most important, they tend to be extremly messy eaters & poo in their water. Leave a turtle tank for over a day & you're into some fun come cleaning time. Even with filtration, turtle tank cleaning soon makes you appretiate keeping fish.

 

[graham26]

Anyone keep any turtles with there fish at all? as i have seen loads of pics lately of turtles for sale & housed with fish

 

[macvsog23]

I lived near a park were some one dumped on in a pond it eat almost every dam fish in the pond and then started on the local dogs that risked swimming in the pond
Finally meet its match with a heron.

 

[FF MkII]

fly river turtles can live with fish i think

 

[Doodles]

They are cute when small but soon outgrow it. The reason I say i've kept them & not keep them is the simple fact that they are such a pain to care for. They require exposure to sun or special lights for proper shell growth but probably most important, they tend to be extremly messy eaters & poo in their water. Leave a turtle tank for over a day & you're into some fun come cleaning time. Even with filtration, turtle tank cleaning soon makes you appretiate keeping fish.

lol ok, the tiny spark of interest i had has been culled

 

[Stan]

We've got a 9" RES and Lornek8 is indeed not exaggerating, cleanup is madness! I have to clean the filter every 2 weeks! But in their defense they are very active cool pets and once they get used to you, they love to play. I feed mine cull hybrid juveniles, market shrimp, the odd bit of chicken and loads of greens. the only thing we buy for him is Tetramin vitamins.