Before You Get a Turtle

[~Cindy~]

Before You Get a Turtle
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* Read about your potential pet, talk to people who keep turtles, and
  join one of several mailing lists about turtles, like the ones maintained
  by Turtle Homes or the Tortoise Trust.

* Prepare a species-appropriate setup for your animal, buy some food, and decide
  where the enclosure will be place. I know, most of the time we get the animal
  first and then we need to set it up. If you have the luxury to do the
  setup first, don't hesitate.

* Join or at least visit one of the herpetological societies in your
  area. Not only is it fun to meet people with the same interests,
  they will also become a valuable source of information when the questions
  come. And questions there will be; no two turtles are the same, and a FAQ
  or a book can only provide for the general cases. You may want
  to consider subscribing a reptile magazine like "Reptiles".

* Decide where you want to get the animal from. Considering that turtles
  in the wild are declining, it is recommended that you not catch an
  animal from the wild. If you have access to captive bred turtles,
  get a captive bred turtle. They also tend to be healthier and happier in
  captivity. Consider adopting a turtle from a local shelter or from
  Turtle Homes. There are many unwanted turtles that need new homes.

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