Teenage Mutant Ninja Nightmares (Terrapins)

Member Name: linzib

Product:	Terrapins
Date:	21/09/00 (2233 review reads)
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Advantages: Differant type of pet

Disadvantages: Hard to keep, THEY BITE!, grow quickly, live for 20 years

I remember seeing my first terrapin at a friend’s house when I was about six or seven years old. Then not long after came those “Teenage Ninja Mutant Turtles” which made me want some even more! I hassled my parents until finally they let me buy two.

Unfortunately, I never thought about how much hard work these two little chaps would be. All to soon the reality hit home and the novelty soon wore off. These creatures need a lot, and I mean a lot of care. They have very specific environmental and dietary needs, which when I purchased the terrapins, I was not informed about. Many other youngsters who had joined the craze for terrapins found that they grew too large for their aquarium tanks, the owners then panicked and dumped them into local ponds, rivers and streams. Not only was this cruel on the terrapins, it was also cruel to other native wildlife, since the carnivorous and hungry terrapins devastated the local ecology by devouring all other occupants of the same body of water.

Terrapins can now be found in reptile sanctuaries along side many other pet crazes such as giant green iguanas, and other reptiles such as corn snakes and pythons. I have made a list of things you really should consider before purchasing a terrapin. Hopefully this will help you not make the same mistake as me all those years ago.

Can I afford it? Terrapins are somewhat cheaper than some other amphibians. Typically you will pay between a minimum of £100 for an adequate set up, more likely nearer £200 once you have taken everything into consideration. Such as the terrapin’s tank, the heating and lighting accessories, all of which are absolutely essential. Terrapins are also carnivorous. They will normally need proper terrapin food and any fish that you may have had in the tank before hand! Some will eat food from the garden such as earthworms.
Do I have the commitment to it? You should be aware that some terrapins can live up to
20 years, and after the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle craze (people going in for the fad of buying terrapins and then finding themselves unable to keep them), terrapins are harder to sale (I spent many months trying to find mine a good home as many pet shops will no longer take them.)
Please read through this article and think carefully before purchasing a terrapin.

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