Soft Shell Turtle Wanted!!!!!

[reptilenut21]

Hello Im I am looking for a soft shelled turtle. If any one has one let me know.
Smooth or rough soft shell is ok no preference. It is a gift for my son.
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[Kohm]

Hi reptilenut!

I'm afraid I can't help you find one, because my softshells and I actually live in Singapore. Still, glad to hear that you like softshells, because they are very cool and interesting turtles.

Softshells are very aggressive and vicious, comparable to snapping turtles, and they can grow quite large. So a lot of caution is necessary about them. They are certainly not ideal turtles for beginner's, but still, with proper, suitable care, they make great pets all the same.

If you really want a softshell, get either a Florida or Chinese softshell, pelodiscus (previously trionyx) ferox and sinensis respectively. Mine are Chinese. Try some herp dealers, some will have softshells, or post a news aticle on this site. I;m sure someone will be able to help you get one.

If you need any help, email me at pecan_inbox@hotmail.com I'll be posting some shots of my softshells once I get my webpage up and going.

Hope this helps, all the best!
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[reptilenut21]

Thanks for the info. I have been working with a lot of turtles for many years now my son wants a Softshell Turtle. Thanks again.
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I dunno about WV, but in NC the Spiny Softshell is a protected species.
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[Kohm]

Yep, pls don't break any laws. I guess if it's CB then it should be ok, unless it's something dangerous like snappers. But softshells are not usually bred in captivity for pets. Chinese softshells are bred very widely in China for food. They make good soup.

Then some juveniles end up for the pet trade, that's how I got mine.

Oh yeah, I wanted to tell you to check out the caresheets, there's quite a lot of info on softshells there.


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[reptilenut21]

Thanks for the help all. I am still looking but I am trying to convience my son into something else like a bearded or another snake. Im not real big on turtles they are a lot of work in cleaning cages and water changes.
[addsig]

Why don't you try and switch him onto a box turtle or some other terrestrial type turtle? That way, he still is getting a turtle and it's A LOT easier to clean up/maintain.

And captive bred or not, if a native species is protected by the state, it is STILL illegal to own without a permit.
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[Kohm]

That's a good idea Riley,

Tortoises are much easier to maintain, and are much cleaner. I'm personally looking to get a Malayan Box. Box turtles aren't really fully-aquatic, just that they do swim once in a while. They are great in a largely terrestrial tank.

Good idea to get him another herp instead of a turtle too. Most herps are lovely pets; turtle, snake, lizard... of course, it's really great that he's interested in turtles.

BTW Reptilenut, how old is your son?
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[tuftxn74239]

box turtles do make great pets and dont mind being handled, but if your son really wants an aquatic species then maybe a slider. very hardy and pretty colors.
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[Kohm]

Yep, lovely sliders ... I'd really like a pastel RES, but I just can't find one where I stay. Sliders are still better cos they aren't so aggressive as compared to softshells or some others. They are still a bit terrestrial, like they forage at night on land. Softshells are actually more or less fully aquatic. Either way, you'll face a whole lot of unique challenges with every different species.
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[asianturtlenut]

hey kohm,
I juss read that you were looking to get a Malayan box turtle. I got my malayan box turtle in 2003 and its still in good health. I think they are great pets and pretty easy to take care of being that they are semi aquatic, and i also think, reptilenut, that you should look into getting your son a malayan box turtle or another asian box turtle.they are cool looking too!