Hi! Introduce yourselves here. :: Newbie with 3 baby turtlets

[justify_yourlove]

Hi everyone! My name is Emily, 21, in Los Angeles. I recently bought 3 baby turtlets (as I call them) this summer named Baby Bowser, Red, and Donatello (less than 1.5 inch). I will be posting up pictures soon. I was so happy to see this website here because there are many turtle lovers here (moreover, of RES). I feel now that turtlets are underestimated because dogs and cats are the common household pet in the U.S.

My question is whether it is illegal to own a baby turtle or buy one from those oriental swap meets (i.e. China Town)? Also, are UVB lights too strong for baby turtlets?

[jenaero]

Hi, and welcome!

It's legal to own them but not to sell them under 4 inches. The vendors get around that law many different ways.

UVB lights are not too strong, in fact they're a necessity.

Good luck with your new little ones. Looking forward to seeing some pics!

[sonyj]

Welcome to the forum...

[JessicaTS]

It is illegal to sell turtles under 4 inches (unless selling them to hobbyists and herpetologists) but it is not illgeal to own one.

Welcome to Turtle Talk

[lydia_lady_fla]

well welcome seems ur questions were answered but may I suggest u read read and read some more the stickys here are full of gr8 info. I love to see new pix so I cant wait....if u have questions after u have read the forum plz ask.

[STRAYKINGFISHER]

Welcome to the forum:D

Yes, it is legal to own a turtle under 4 inches, I want to make that clear because many owners will not take their turtle to the vet for fear that they will get in trouble because of it's size.

[tini]

I thought it was only illegal to SELL, not to own.

oh and sirens most of those hobbyist need a permit I think . . .at least that is what I read in a turtle book.

[marisa]

Welcome. If it's warm where you are, taking your turtles out for direct sunlight would be good (but supervise them and don't put them in a glass aquarium--it heats up too much). If they can't get outside regularly, then a UVB light is important. UVB lights are much weaker than the sun, and are not too strong for your turtles.

[justify_yourlove]

Thanks so much Marisa for the advice! Yeah, I definitely think taking the turtlets out for a few hours per week is a better idea in Los Angeles than the UVB lights. Afterall, it is what they naturally get in the wild and the bulb wouldn't be as powerful.

[marisa]

But if it gets cool later on and you can't take them out, they'll need that UVB light.