sea turtles

[MikePowell]

Is it possible or even legal to keep any kind of sea turtles? If so what are the care requirements for one?

[greenbean36191]

No. All are federally protected and get MUCH too big to keep in anything smaller than a public aquarium.

[sir_dudeguy]

Where would you even keep one??? They get bigger than most peoples tanks.

[ludnix]

There's some brackish water turtles you can keep if you're willing to go into that.

[PJSEA]

In the US it is illegal to handle a marine mammal, including sea turtles, without a scientific permit.
Even if the animal is injured or sick all you should do is call the Marine Mammal Stranding network.

[mr_o98]

Sea turtles, in my opinion, should not be in captivity due to their migration, and reproduction. They are extremly beautiful creatures that should be left in the wild. Public aquariums cannot provide the turtle with ample room to swim let alone a home aquarium.

[LobsterOfJustice]

Originally posted by PJSEA
In the US it is illegal to handle a marine mammal, including sea turtles, without a scientific permit.
Even if the animal is injured or sick all you should do is call the Marine Mammal Stranding network.

Turtles are reptiles, not mammals.

That said, they all are endangered and can not be kept. They also get 4-6 feet, depending on species.

[reefing102]

some actually will stay around 2 - 3 feet. But yes they are all illegal

[OmarD]

Here is one in my tank...




(yeah, right...)

[Archmagev]

Oh c'mon, you could do it! Just line the floor and all sides of your garage in acrylic sheets about a foot thick, seal it really good, then fill it with saltwater...would be cool! Just open your garage door for viewing. Maybe add a few Tuna and a few small sharks, would be a nice display...a bit expensive to feed, but cool display

[hankthetank]

Use a 16' diameter above ground pool in your basement.Drop a pond liner over the existing liner as it is toxic to marine life.Plumb in a big filter system and go to town.But as anyone who has ever kept aquatic turtles for any length of time can tell you,turtles are messy animals.Think of the mess one weighing several hundred pounds can make!

[MikePowell]

dang! well it was worth a shot. what is the life span on a turtle and how big do they grow? couldn't i just keep one for a while and give it a scientist or something? or would that be morally worng in some way?

[LobsterOfJustice]

Where do you plan on getting one? They are protected. They are already endangered in the wild, I do not think any scientist would support taking one for a pet. I believe they also have very long lifespans (turtles in general), at least as long as humans.

[mr.maroonsalty]

Only one sea turtle I know of is listed as an endangered species is the Lagerhead, but I may be wrong. All are protected by most goverments.

If you feel the need for a shelled reptile and have the space seek out a tortoise rescue group; they will make sure you do it the right way and there are way to many of these creatures in need of good homes.

[Hormigaquatica]

Originally posted by MikePowell
dang! well it was worth a shot. what is the life span on a turtle and how big do they grow? couldn't i just keep one for a while and give it a scientist or something? or would that be morally worng in some way?

Its not really a question of being morally wrong (although...), its more that all species are protected by law. You cant have them, and if youre caught with one, fish and wildlife tends to come down hard on you. There was a story in the news a couple years back about a woman who picked up what she supposedly thoughtwere dud eggs off the beach and brought them home for her science class. Well, some of the eggs hatched, and when she tried to contact zoos and aquariums for help, she got in a lot of trouble with federal agencies.

At any rate- they live a LONG time, and grow Very large. Stick with Box Turtles (and even then you have to make sure you follow the rules...lol)

[TitusvileSurfer]

I have a diamond back terrapin in a brackish water 55 gal. I was pondering if I could let him loose on my reef (and I probably could for short periods of time) but decided against it.

[Grins]

lol, if there was one small enough and suited for life in an aquarium I'd have one without a doubt.

[Grins]

Lobster, have you watched the loggerhead turtle migration along the coast? I used to stay up when I lived on the beach here in NC.

[HBtank]

I have a little plastic on on top of my canopy.

[9Tailfox]

I thought Sea Turtles or Loggerhead live to be 30 to 50 years or something. They have an incredible life span for an animal. As was mentioned above they grow to be about 3 feet long + and weigh 200-350, and they are all protected by the US Government as of 1978 as a threatened species (If you live in the U.S.A. or any of it's territories that would make you subject to it's laws.) Which people above have already explained makes it Illegal to own, or even touch or disturb them in their natural habitat. Unless you are a scientist and have a scientific license to study these creatures.

If that is a little too hard to understand (all of this was said above by others) it is against the law you will be fined, imprisoned, or both WHEN you are caught.

Sorry for the mean post but it was explained above and in plain and simple English. These creatures are disappearing mostly due to being caught and drowning in shrimp trawls and from loss of nesting grounds thus contributing to their protected status. Also every year there are fewer and fewer females nesting on beaches in the southeast U.S. PLEASE don’t be one to aid in their extinction. If you love sea turtles (I do too they are wonderful animals) head to your local aquarium and watch them there. It is really what is best for everyone including the turtles.

Also as some have mentioned there are species of brackish water turtles that stay small and can be kept legally. I’m no expert on turtles and others may be better equipped to aid you there.

[Scuba_Steve]

If you want to keep one, think about moving to the cayman islands. There they have a turtle farm where they raise and breed them in huge numbers. They say it is to repopulate the wild, but they eat them as well, so im sure obtaining one for aquarium purposes wouldnt be too hard. Now what was that swimming pool idea again?

[LobsterOfJustice]

Originally posted by Grins
Lobster, have you watched the loggerhead turtle migration along the coast? I used to stay up when I lived on the beach here in NC.

No, I just moved from Maryland this summer. I would love to hear more about it though.

[Grins]

It really is a site to see, I highly encourage you to watch if you get the chance while in Wilmington.

"LOGGERHEAD SEA TURTLES
Did you know that Loggerhead sea turtles visit Cape Fear Coast beaches between mid-May and late August? This threatened reptile is protected by the Endangered Species Act and local citizens work to help hatchlings return to the ocean. The NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher in Kure Beach rehabilitates sea turtles that need special care, then releases them, and rescues new hatchlings. The Aquarium also studies Loggerhead migration patterns. Are you curious? To learn more about Loggerhead turtles, visit the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher"

http://www.cape-fear.nc.us/press/Sto...p?id=264&page=

[seapug]

Those guys nest and hatch along the beach where my parents live in NC. Pretty cool to see. There are local Turtle Nazis that patrol the beach and mark off nests. When hatching time comes they rake a "track" in the sand and fence it off so they can all march directly to the water where 80% promptly become shark snacks.

[sardonicscorpio]

I wish, sea turtles are freakin CUTE