Tortoise or Terrapin - Which One

[gscrym]

DS would like one of these as a pet. I was going to start looking into it but thought I'd ask on here if anyone could tell me much about it.

Thanks in Advance

[zippitippitoes]

i thought you couldnt have them any more

[RusselBrussel]

Definately tortoise. But there are some rules about not buying an imported one and only buying from a registered breeder.
Friend back at college had a terrapin. Could not really handle it as it was prone to nipping. Also, it lives in the water so not many cuddle opportunities. Also, they smell and so does the water.

According to local canal keeper, the canal is full of terrapins discarded by their owners when they got fed up with them.

One of dh's colleagues has a tortoise which is ancient and used to belong to his gran. Sort of a 'handed down through the family pet'. It is lovely animal, slowly meandering through the garden and eating lettuce leaves from your hand.

Tortoise any time

[tinierclanger]

You can still get tortoises, but they must be bred in the UK. They are expensive and you will normally get a tiny, young one. Plus you will need equipment - a proper house, heat lamp etc. You won't be able to just bung it in the garden.

Don't know about terrapins but believe they are nippy aren't they? And can carry salmonella... I might be wrong though.

[gscrym]

Thanks, will have a hunt for tortoises.

[Lovesdogsandcats]

Are you serious? A tortoise is not a faddy thing for the moment. They can live to 100 you know and really you should do some thorough research before you even consider getting one.

www.tortoisetrust.org/care/care.html

[onlygirl]

we had a terrapin it grew really big did smell a bit too. we gave it to reptile rescue as it used to frighten ds a bit.

[christywhisty]

Second Lovesdogsandcats.
DS has had our tortoise since for 37 years and he belonged to another family which had grown up with him before that, so making him probably over 50 years old.
I do love him though as he follows me round the garden and comes over to see me when I go outside.

Nowadays a pet shop will not sell you a tortoise without the proper equipment. A baby tortoise will cost minimum of £100 if not £200 and the equipement at least another £150