I have a southern river cooter and a yellow bellied slider. They live in a 200 gal tank with several goldfish (2" to 9"), and a few snails.
I never knew turtles were so cool. I mean, I’ve always liked sea turtles and stuff, but having actual turtles on my patio is a real game changer for my general sense of happiness and well being. I mean, I’ve always had a good sense of happiness and general sense of well being…but I do really enjoy my turtles.
A friend of mine had a turtle, kept her indoors in a tank, and occasionally gave her a treat to swim in the bathtub (which she had to scrub out after).
During covid, the turtle was a close companion. My friend made the mistake of feeding her shrimp–after that, she turned up her nose at turtle food.
I don’t keep them as pets (anymore, that is), but I still rescue turtles off the road and will take them to my vet to be fixed or PTS, whichever is required.
A long time ago, I met a guy who had a contract with his state’s fish and wildlife department (I think) to raise alligator snappers for release into the wild - around here, they are both native and endangered. He had ponds in his back yard for them, and in his house, he had a HUGE tank for his oldest male. That turtle had to weigh 60 lbs. He was massive.
Turtles are just cool. They just want to do their thing. Even the snappers won’t bother you if you aren’t bothering them.
I am surprised they have not decimated your goldfish!
Once upon a time, the earth was still warm, we inherited a couple of red-eared sliders.
They enjoyed a meal of ground meat now and then, or heartily bit one’s digits, depending on the circumstance.
Fast forward a couple pf decades, we purchased same species of turtle. Her accomodations where more rustic. Sadly, she got away at some point, still sorely missed after a decade or so.
In the meantime some sort of native turtle thing showed up in the backyard, and promptly was placed in the kiddy pool and supplied with minnows from the local baitshop.
All I can say, those beasties are vicious!
But oh, so cool!
A couple of years ago, my dog found a box turtle in the yard “MOOOM!! LOOK!!! This rock has |LEGS!!!”
It seems like turtles can and do climb fences (because all my yards have been fenced in with chainlink) Who knew.
I am considering another go at turtles, but for now I have enough on my plate.
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