by: Adrian Wade

Buying a dog, cat, rabbit or turtle? Need information on health care, symptoms, training, obediance, diet, habitat or other pet help information? Visit www.Pet-Smarts.com.

When looking for a turtle to buy, you must first consider what kind of turtle that you wish to own. There are different types of aquatic and non aquatic turtles. The information listed on this site are for Red Ear Slider Turtles. Red Ear Slider turtles are the easiest of all turtles to take care of and are the best for beginners. They are also the cheaper types of turtles.

This Turtle Basks and this Turtle Doesn't?

You may find when you enter the pet store that there are turtles swimming and turtles basking in the light. Whether you want a turtle to bask or swim more than the other does not depend on the behaviour of your turtle. It depends on YOU and how you have your tank set up. With the appropriate setup, your turtle will bask and swim on his own.

Purchasing Young Turtles:

Buying a turtle at young is usually the best. They will grow and become accustomed to your feeding schedule and the habitat you put them in. It is a good idea to ask the store owner the current food pellet they are feeding them, so that you may also use the same pellet food the turtle is use to. This will ensure that your turtle will continue eating and not reject the new type of pellet food you introduce to them.

Purchasing Older Turtles:

Buying an older turtle can be costly and overpriced. There are many disadvantages to purchasing an older turtle. They may already be accustomed to a certain feeding schedule and will be hard for you to change it on the turtle. Look for signs of pyramding in the shell. If there are large bumps in the shell it may already be too late for you to fix this even with the appropriate UVA/UVB scale lights. The larger the turtle does not mean that the older the turtle is. Depending on the turtle's feeding history, excessive feedings may cause the overgrowth of a turtle. The turtle may have been fed large amounts but only be a couple months old. Overgrowth can cause internal damage to the organs and the turtle will have a shorter life span.