Help! My son asked Santa for a turtle!!

[paysensmom]

He ONLY asked him for a real, live, turtle!!! I looked at Petsmart online and they are about $100, plus that for the cage and stuff. Is there a better/cheaper place to get the turtle or at least the habitat stuff? He specifcally asked for a red footed tortoise which Petsmart doesn't even carry.
We do have a local small pet shop, that is where he saw the turtle. He has asked us for a turtle for over a year now! He will be 9 in February and he will take good care of it. Just hoping someone can help me find one or at least the accessories a little cheaper?

 

[pearlieq]

One thing to keep in mind is that the red footed tortoise has a lifespan of 50+ years.

Can you commit to that? Your son might well have this pet when he's eligible to start collecting social security!

 

[neatokimmo]

Dumb question, how big is this turtle? Don't they just hang out in fish tanks?

 

[Suz D]

Ran into a friend and her daughter today while shopping. I asked her what was on her Christmas list. Mom said, "She asked Santa for a puppy" and gave me that look...then she said, "and Santa replied, 'puppies are very hard to bring on the sleigh because it's just so cold'". She was very grateful to that quick thinking Santa! Wish more of them were coached on this LOL!

 

[klacey1]

Wow, just looked them up and they, like PP said, live between 40-50 years! They're also pretty big-- between 12-14 inches. Do you think your son might like a smaller turtle-- or even a different pet?? Box turtles (a popular pet turtle breed) can live up to 120 years! I don't know how anyone keeps them as pets, honestly! That's a real commitment! (Of course, after losing my precious dog after 13 wonderful years, I wish she could have lived for 50 years. We would have loved her and cared for her forever)
How does he feel about fish or maybe a frog? Might be easier!

 

[*love*2*shop]

and my son keeps asking for a cell phone.....but hes not getting one ...why do you HAVE to gt your son a turtle?

Explain to him that right now you/your family arent in a place to get /care for a turtle....

He ONLY asked him for a real, live, turtle!!! I looked at Petsmart online and they are about $100, plus that for the cage and stuff. Is there a better/cheaper place to get the turtle or at least the habitat stuff? He specifcally asked for a red footed tortoise which Petsmart doesn't even carry.
We do have a local small pet shop, that is where he saw the turtle. He has asked us for a turtle for over a year now! He will be 9 in February and he will take good care of it. Just hoping someone can help me find one or at least the accessories a little cheaper?

 

[tiggspring]

When my kids ask for something I know they are never going to get, I just tell them Santa always "knows" the rules and needs of a family just like he knows who's good and bad and he wont bring a gift he knows mom and dad cant handle. A fifty year commitment mom and dad definatly cant handle. This also can explain why some kids get more than others. My kids get great gifts but not $250 ipods etc. So i explain that our family dosent believe in being that extravgant and prefer to focus on the family part of Christmas so Santa respects that.

 

[tiggspring]

He ONLY asked him for a real, live, turtle!!! I looked at Petsmart online and they are about $100, plus that for the cage and stuff. Is there a better/cheaper place to get the turtle or at least the habitat stuff? He specifcally asked for a red footed tortoise which Petsmart doesn't even carry.
We do have a local small pet shop, that is where he saw the turtle. He has asked us for a turtle for over a year now! He will be 9 in February and he will take good care of it. Just hoping someone can help me find one or at least the accessories a little cheaper?

Try an animal rescue league many dont just have cats and dogs. They rescue snakes and I'm willing to bet turtles that live 50 yrs!

 

[NikiM20]

Just got a Russian tortoise off of craigslist for $25. He's adorable. But... It's a long commitment, you can make a tortoise table to keep him/ her in. I'm making one tomorrow and for the materials it's $30. Plus bedding, hide a ways etc. They need special lights, light fixtures etc. If you PM me your email address, I will send you a copy of the table plans I have. Anything else just ask.

 

[wdwmom0f3]

One thing to keep in mind is that the red footed tortoise has a lifespan of 50+ years.

Can you commit to that? Your son might well have this pet when he's eligible to start collecting social security!

 

[SILLYANDI]

and my son keeps asking for a cell phone.....but hes not getting one ...why do you HAVE to gt your son a turtle?

Explain to him that right now you/your family arent in a place to get /care for a turtle....

That's funny because I didn't see anywhere in her post that her family isn't in a place to get or care for a turtle. I see that she is asking where to get supplies cheaper..

 

[wtrmlnlabs]

Good Luck!! Having a turtle was not fun for us... well me. DH had to take care of it, and man, the tank had to be cleaned out at least every 2 weeks even with a good canister filter! (it was a water turtle).

But to answer your question: we got our turtle on craigslist and I have seen people post turtles and turtle supplies there. Maybe check you local craigslists or freecycle, post ads for wanted...

Oh, and Petsmart was NO help for us, they couldn't answer any of our questions about the turtles or filters so I hope yours is better!

 

[dixonismydog]

IMO.......turtle=bad idea

I have known several people, ourselves included that have HAD turtles. NONE of us do anymore. (We were fostering for a friend that was going to University......and of course couldn't take the turtle to his dorm!!!) Thank goodness he had to find him a new home. It's a sad life for a turtle really, if you think about it. Poor "Snappy" just sat there day after day.......

Not trying to talk you out of it because I know I'll do anything I can, to fill Santa's list. But turtles are a HUGE commitment. I'm sure your son would take great care of him.....just trying to warn you though.

 

[kacaju]

He ONLY asked him for a real, live, turtle!!! I looked at Petsmart online and they are about $100, plus that for the cage and stuff. Is there a better/cheaper place to get the turtle or at least the habitat stuff? He specifcally asked for a red footed tortoise which Petsmart doesn't even carry.
We do have a local small pet shop, that is where he saw the turtle. He has asked us for a turtle for over a year now! He will be 9 in February and he will take good care of it. Just hoping someone can help me find one or at least the accessories a little cheaper?

If you want to get him a turtle for Christmas, I suggest you google reptile shows and find one close to you. There are shows all over and although you may not be able to get on in time for Christmas you can research and go to the show and let him pick one out. This way you can also talk to people who know turtles.

 

[bucket o' butter]

That's funny because I didn't see anywhere in her post that her family isn't in a place to get or care for a turtle. I see that she is asking where to get supplies cheaper..

I was thinking the same thing. She doesn't seem to have an issue with the turtle itself. Just the cost. You can always pass the turtle on to someone else if the time comes when it is no longer wanted. I think I would just get a box turtle though to keep the costs down.

 

[DalGal]

If commitment isn't an issue, I say watch Craigslist and ebay ads to adopt a turtle. There is also usually ads for the housing items you will need.

 

[kelly1218]

Just be very careful when buying used supplies. Ask your local pet store what you can sanitize it with...if the previous 'owner' was sick.... you could be passing a disease onto your new turtle.. and you don't want to do that.

They definitely are a commitement, but you know your son. Good luck

 

[hsmamato2]

my ds 11 has 2 turtles, he absolutely ADORES them!
He bought them almost a year ago,and since he's very responsible,and takes care of them completely on his own,I have no issues with them.
Just a note for you,be aware that turtles are pretty high maintenance pets- I find my dog easier to care for than the reptiles
you can get used tanks and supplies at goodwill,craigslist,etc. Get creative, get books on turtle care,and see i you can handle it! If my ds wasn't so responsible, I wouldn't have them b/c of the care involved.
they are cute little guys......

 

[dawson5]

Our local humane society gets them occasionally. My nephew had one (not sure if it's the same kind that your son is asking for), my sister in law ended up caring for it.

When our cat died, my sons were begging for an iguana. I told them they needed to research it. The middle son was the one more into the idea but when he found out that they grow so large, to the point that they might need their own room, he knew we weren't going to give up a bedroom for an iguana. He put that idea away.

Is there a place where he might go and volunteer to help out with them? He might get an idea of what it takes to take care of one and it's needs.

Try petfinder.com They have a way to search for them on there.

 

[torinsmom]

Get a smaller version of what he is asking for, and include a note from Santa that this kind is easier to take care of or something like that. I would get 2 smaller turtles vs. a tortoise. Another teacher has a couple and she has them in a 10 gallon aquarium with rocks, plants and a heat lamp.