(06-08-2012, 01:32 AM)twinsmommy Wrote: We are looking at getting some of those tiny little turtles. The kids are obsessed with them but we have a cat so I am not sure how he would feel about the new additions. He is pretty territorial about "his" house.
I'm not sure where you live, but many states in the US, and some other countries too, have banned the sale of turtles under 4". All reptiles are prone to carry small amounts of salmonella in their digestive systems, and normally out really isn't that big of an issue. But as aquatic turtles generally defecate in their water, the salmonella can grow to a high level fairly quickly in the water. Meaning that the turtle can basically end up covered in it. And allot of those turtles were bought for young children, and children and toddlers can have a tendency to put things in their mouths, and are also at a higher risk of salmonella infections.
I'm never one for talking someone out of a reptile as a pet, but just wanted to add that as something to think about. As long as you filter and clean the water regally, and supervise young children, and make sure they don't put them in their mouths and wash their hands, all of the risk is eliminated.
