Painted Turtle Ques.

[arielgasca420]

well we did look at a uvb bulb but it was $18.99 for a stinkin light bulb!!!!!so we will have to wait for it to go on sale.Also we just don't have the money or the room for a bigger tank and he seems to be very calm in this tank anyways. It's ether the ten gallon or the 20 gallon tank!

$18.99 is pretty standard for these types of bulbs.
the worst thing a new pet owner could say is "We dont have the money or the room"
hopefully your lust to obtain this animal isnt more than the passion of its well being.
I would give it back to your uncle and visit the turtle.

[emfroggy]

well my parent's said we just don't have the room or the money so don't yell at me. Also it was my brother and his girlfriend who wanted the turtle in the first place. I just said I will like to keep it at our house. So I guess I can show them your post and see what they say. Also I love animals it's just my parent's who I guess don't. I do all the research I can and try to talk to my parents about trying to get the stuff I need because I'm just 14 years old and I have autism. So I don't have a job or do chores. Also my parents won't let me do like a car wash to get money or do like summer jobs around the subdivision. I hope you guys understand how I feel.

[arielgasca420]

reptiles is not for the young and unemployed unless your parents are willing to fund your interest (which is sounds like they do not). #1 the vet bills are expensive #2 the labor and lifespan needs a lot of dedication (20+ years)
I have spent over $900 in the past year and a half on reptiles alone so let your brother know that the initial start up cost will cost him a few hundred dollars if he is lucky.
a mammal would be a better pet in your situation since they only need food, water, and have a short lifespan. maybe a cat or guinea pig?
We do not mean to "yell" at you but when someone says "I dont have the money or room for the pet I just brought home" then we see that as a death wish for the animal. no turtle can live comfortably in a 20 gallon tank with no lighting. It may live 6 months at the most in that condition.
p.s. it seems like you already have a frog (from your avatar picture). I would stick to the frog for now until you get a part time job. I started working when I was 14. I have tourettes so it is hard to function in a social environment, but I pulled through it. you will too.

[Schimpf]

reptiles is not for the young and unemployed unless your parents are willing to fund your interest (which is sounds like they do not). #1 the vet bills are expensive #2 the labor and lifespan needs a lot of dedication (20+ years)
I have spent over $900 in the past year and a half on reptiles alone so let your brother know that the initial start up cost will cost him a few hundred dollars if he is lucky.
a mammal would be a better pet in your situation since they only need food, water, and have a short lifespan. maybe a cat or guinea pig?
We do not mean to "yell" at you but when someone says "I dont have the money or room for the pet I just brought home" then we see that as a death wish for the animal. no turtle can live comfortably in a 20 gallon tank with no lighting. It may live 6 months at the most in that condition.
p.s. it seems like you already have a frog (from your avatar picture). I would stick to the frog for now until you get a part time job. I started working when I was 14. I have tourettes so it is hard to function in a social environment, but I pulled through it. you will too.

I totally agree with 90% of this.

The only thing I do not agree with is the mammal comment. I have spent over $1000 in the last 4 months on two guinea pigs and vet care. Another 600 in the last year with my cat (shots and neutering), so mammals aren't always cheaper . I would agree and say stick with what yah have. I always get the pet itch every 6 months and adopt a new pet. But I have worked on that and have not adopted any new pets in a year. I've lost old pets to age since then and will be finally getting some toads this weekend.

I wanted to comment on your age and autism. Don't let either of those stop you. You seem like a smart kid, your letting labels of age and other statuses tell you who you are. Your much better than that

[arielgasca420]

I am sorry you have had such bad luck. Ive had my cat for 13 years and only spent minimal money on food and litter. My guinea pig is very healthy but i always worry about one day having to take him to an exotic vet.
I agree that labeling hinders one. I got teased throughout school but i never let it constitute what i can and cant do. At 14 i was making more money than anyone else in my classes.
I had autistic friends Througout my life. One was your age and was accepted into a University with a full scolarship. The other got a grant to an art school at your age. Work hard with reptiles and you can get a scholarship in herpetology.

[Schimpf]

I am sorry you have had such bad luck. Ive had my cat for 13 years and only spent minimal money on food and litter. My guinea pig is very healthy but i always worry about one day having to take him to an exotic vet.

Bad luck is right! LOL Two guinea pig abscesses, 5 total surgeries and many rounds of meds. Spook is pretty good, just the neuter costing me an arm and a leg, if I had adopted from the SPCA instead of a private adoption it would have been better I think.

[emfroggy]

Thanks guys for all the support. I think we will be letting the painted turtle go anyways because it just poop's to much and we only have a small filter that came in a starter kit and he keeps clogging it up with all his poop. So I hope we let it go here soon for the sake of the animal. Also Schimpf your cat sounds like me. I had a bunch of surgery's all my life. Just recently I had eye surgery and I had eye surgery before this one. I also had pilonidal cyst surgery. I also had a lot of surgery's when I was young.