Pet Turtle : Choosing A Healthy Turtle

Turtles are often transported in extremely inhuman conditions to pet shops, and if you have visited one - you will se that the ordeal of the poor creature doesn't end there. They are often kept 100s to a tank, with little swimming space�and absolutely no basking area!

Infected, stressed, and often injured - is what the typical turtle in the pet shop is like. It is essential therefore that you choose a healthy pet to prevent subsequent trauma.

Something's to look out for in a healthy turtle:
1. Clear eyes (not whitish, swollen or watery)
2. Clear nose (not runny, or with salty deposits)
3. No gasping, wheezing sound from the mouth (indicates respiratory infection)
4. Clear mouth (not greyish-pink, mucous, or white/yellow patches)
5. No swelling near the ears or on limbs
6. Skin and shell clear of scratches, cracks, holes, bite-marks, any patches, mucous secretions
7. The shell should be firm all over (no sponginess anywhere)
8. Alert animal - while it may initially hide inside it shell it should quickly peep out and try to escape!
9. There legs should pull away if you gently tug at them
10. Complete withdrawal into the shell� no limb should be sticking out