What you might not know about me, is that when I’m not blogging, I’m taking care of and playing with my pets. I’m a full-fledged pet owner and a pet lover and I feel like my pets need constant interaction on a daily basis. My pets are my family. Even my yellow belly slider turtles; Pokey and Scooter. To be sure, it’s probably a one-sided love when it comes to my turtles but that’s okay.
As far back as I can remember I’ve always had a fascination with turtles and that might be because we always had turtles during my childhood. The fascination has only increased as an adult. If you’ve seen any of my past trip photos, chances are, you’ve seen turtle photos I’ve taken. I choose travel destination where I know turtles will be viewable. I could sit and watch turtles for hours at a time. I’m even a member of Turtle Rescue League. It allows me to foster turtles, host fundraisers, drive around and do road retrieval and to rush turtles to the vet if needed, and so much more.
While turtles are cute and easily accessible to buy, having yellow belly slider turtles is a lifelong commitment. You are going to be amazed at how long they live if they’re healthy and taken care of properly. Please keep their long lifespan in mind before you make a turtle purchase. Yellow belly slider turtles should never be purchased on a whim.
Yellow belly slider turtles can live up to 100 years. WHAT? Oh my gosh. It’s rare but it’s not rare for them to live anywhere from 20 to 50 years (or even 70 years if they’re healthy). At my age, my baby aquatic turtles could very well outlive me. Before I considered owning yellow belly slider turtles again and especially at my current age, I lined up a foster mom that would agree to let them live out their lives in a happy and healthy environment in the event I pass away before they do. There is a slim chance that won’t happen because I chose turtles with defects, the underdogs so to speak. They had less chance of being fostered, adopted, purchased. There is something wrong with both of them but I wanted to give them the best life I could for as long as they live. And if that’s longer than me, all the better.
If after knowing that your turtle/turtles will be a lifelong commitment, and you still want one, please consider adopting one or buying a grade b turtle. Turtle pets are as important as any other pet and it’s so important to realize up front that they can never be released into the wild. Never. Ever. If you aren’t sure that you can give the time it takes to care for your turtle or turtles daily (which we’ll get into soon), the expense, which mounts up (which we’ll also get into soon), and of course the long lifespan of turtles, then please don’t even consider adopting or purchasing a turtle. Just admire them from afar.
I’m going to do a whole series on yellow belly slider turtles so you’ll know everything there is to know before you jump in and purchase one. From the expense (which can be quite a lot in the beginning) to traveling with your yellow belly slider turtles (or not). Be sure to sign up for my newsletter so you don’t miss a single yellow belly slider turtle discovery post.
Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored in any way. I’m a past and present turtle owner and all thoughts included are from my many years of experience in owning, handling, and loving yellow belly slider turtles. I’m not an expert on turtle care.
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I own a Yellow Bellied Slider, his name is Terry! He is the absolute love of my life and like you I have always had a fascination with turtles, I do anything to be near them. He is quite a character and is nearly two now. I got him when he was a little over 6 months old as someone who owned him could not look after him, had him in the smallest tank and didn’t even give him light. He is now fully happy and thriving! I am really looking forward to reading more posts on yours x
Wow! Love this post that you wrote. They’re really cute to have as pets. Same as for other animals, it’s better to know your commitment first before getting one.
I have animal phobia just scared of animals. My daughter loves animals and she wants a cat imagine a cat does she not know cats scare the hell out of me. Interesting to read about your love of animals.
My daughter has been talking about wanting to get a turtle. I can see why many people love them. They are super, as she says, “chill.” Turtles are lovely, thanks for sharing.
These are great information. These turtles are so cute. Thanks for sharing.
I had red eared sliders growing up. The love is one-sided but they were great pets. I learned a lot about responsibility from my childhood turtles.
Interesting facts about the turtle that I never knew. I have a friend that has one. Had him for 15 years Looks like he’ll be around much longer.
I had no idea that they had such an incredible life span! They are such adorable creatures.
We have a pet turtle and he’s been with us in the past 25 years! He just spend everyday walking around the garden. We play with him sometimes but he really does want us not to bother him hahaha
These turtles are adorable! I do agree that turtle pets are as important as other house hold pets.
xo, Sondra
Cuisineandtravel.com
i have a friend who LOVES turtles. I’ll share this post with her, although she might already know some of this information 🙂
Fascinating. I had no clue they could live that long. Imagine your parents getting one on the day you were bone, and having it for over 50 years? wow 🙂
Interesting article. I had 2 turtles when I was younger. They make great pets for kids.
This is interesting to read I would have had no idea they could live so long! Imagine having a pet that you could have for so many years!
I petted a turtle in my childhood days. They are so lovely. They need to be taken care of.
My grand daughter wants to adopt or foster a turtle but we won’t let her if they’re under 4 inches. They carry salmonella at this size. She’d be great with them, but I don’t think she’d be clean enough at 10 years old to have one under the recommended size. She has to be reminded to wash her hands all the time.
That’s awesome. I do drive arounds looking for turtles on the roads and move them to a safe location. I live in Georgia but have always wanted to see the sea turtles.
They are so pretty, that’s for sure. My daughter would love to have one, I’m sure. I’m surprised they can live so long!
I loved turtles as a little kid my mom would get my brother and me turtles. and we had a bunch of them and then we even would help turtles if we found some that were hurt we grew up first in South Florida and then Panama and there were a bunch of turtles in the area.
love this article! that turtle is so cute