
How much do turtles cost? If you’re planning to get a pet, you’ll need to weigh the pros and cons before making any decisions. Luckily for you, most pets are fairly affordable compared to some others. However, if you don’t take proper care of them, they could end up costing you quite a bit of money. So, How much do turtles cost? read on!
Key Takeaways
Here are five key takeaways from the article “How much do turtles cost?” which discusses the costs and considerations of keeping turtles as pets:
- The price of turtles varies depending on the species, with some species being sold for less than $20, while others can be sold for several hundred dollars.
- Non-profit rescue groups can be a great place to adopt reptiles and find information about their health and care.
- Turtles need an appropriately sized enclosure with enough space for them to move around freely and a large pool with fresh drinking and bathing water.
- The cost of turtle enclosures can range from $500 to $2,000 or more, depending on their size and the equipment needed.
- Turtles usually don’t need much vet care as long as they are well fed and healthy.
A review of turtle prices.
Some turtle species can be bought at low prices, whereas others require a high price. For example, red-ear slider (Pseudemys scripta elegans) can be bought for less than $20, whereas the diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin), which has been bred into a variety of colors, can be sold for up to several hundred dollars.
Collectors will pay in the tens of thousands of dollars for unique rare animals such as tortoises and snakes. Most of the reptiles sold on the pet market are relatively affordable, even when bought from breeders.
Regardless of whether you’re purchasing an African sideneck or a Mississippi mapsturtle, you need to be sure that you’re buying the right kind of species and the right kind of habitat.
What kind of turtle do you want?
Non-profit rescue groups exist to help animals who would otherwise likely end up in shelters or as strays. They’re great places to find adoptable pets, including reptiles such as lizards, snakes, crocodiles, and iguanas. You’ll also find plenty of information about reptile health and care online. Some rescues offer training classes so prospective adopters can learn how to take good care of these creatures.
Do not purchase a live turtle from an online retailer or a pet shop that sells small turtles unless they are at least 4″ (10cm) long. Reptiles carry bacteria that cause illnesses when they bite people. You should always wash your hands after touching a reptile.
Let’s discuss about How much do turtles cost?
How Much Do Turtles Cost? Turtle Supply and Medical Care
For those who love turtles, it’s important to make sure they have an appropriately sized enclosure to live in, with enough space for them to move around freely. They should ideally live in a 10-foot by 15-foot area, with a 4 foot deep pool, according to Nowick, so they can get plenty of exercise.
How much do turtles cost? Turtles require about 1,000 gallons of fresh drinking and bathing supply per year, so expect to spend between $100 and $200 for a terraria or aquaria, depending on how large it is. Add in any extra equipment you might need – such as lights, thermometer, a basking box, a ramp into and off the pool, and a filtration system – and you could easily end up spending anywhere between $500 and $1,000 for a small enclosure.
Alternatively, you could opt for a larger enclosure, which would mean you’d have to buy a bigger pool, which could run you upwards of $2,000.
Aquatic turtles usually require less frequent feeding than land turtles, which means they’re cheaper to maintain. “Aquatic turtles typically only need to be given 15 pellet meals per 30-day period, whereas land turtles may need up to 50 pellet meals per 30 day period,” says Nowick.
As long as you keep your pet well fed and healthy, they usually don’t need much vet care. However, if you notice any changes in their behaviors or eating habits, you should visit a veterinarian immediately.
“Unfortunately, most people wait until their turtles get really ill before bringing them to their vet for care,” Biascoechea explains. Turtles often hide their illnesses until they’re really sick, so if you see any signs that they’re behaving strangely, write down what you observe.
Like any other household animal, you should provide your reptile with the care it needs during its whole lifetime.
Turtles should be considered just as valuable as puppies. They need regular checkups and annual exams.
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