Repeat after me ... My name is big_deck and I'm a turtlholic! lol! I like turtles too. In fact, I thought I'd post this one that I got at a rummage sale for a couple of bucks. I'm not sure what wood he is carved from but it sure is pretty! I took a picture of him on my scarf instead of on the dusty shelf where he was sitting. he-he I would really like to hang him on the wall. Both of your sites have some great turtle stuff and they are all reasonably priced. Thanks for sharing! As for live turtles ... if we can have snapping turtles, mud turtles, midland smooth shell turtles, Eastern spiny softshell turtles, wood turtles, Blanding's turtles, ornate box turtles, western painted turtles, midland painted turtles, common map turtles, Ouachita map turtles and false map turtles in our frozen tundra, I'm sure West Virginie can have a few too! I remember driving down a busy street near my house and when I suddenly slammed on the brakes, my BF asked me why I stopped. I said, "Don't you see that turtle in the middle of the road?" I'm not sure what kind it was but it was about a foot long. I have no idea where he was going because there isn't any water near where he was wandering. You don't want to mess with a snapping turtle. Then can snap your finger off without much effort. Just check out some of the videos on YouTube of snapping turtles.

I just stumbled upon this forum and have read the above posts. I am linked with a turtle adoption agency and it is best for the turtles to eat in water. I do not find it a dumb idea to separate your pond since it is as large as it is. Sliders do need 10 gals of water per inch of shell and should be fenced in to prevent coons and other such animals from eating them and once they arrive they may eat the fish asd well. The best food for a slider is pellets containing much calcium the fish pellets lack the protien and nutrients they need. Their shells are vulnerable and need strenthened with thte calcium. If you raise an aaquatic turtle from a baby on pellets they usually don't bother your fish or plant. The plants contain nutrients they need as well as a natural food source. I suggest adding some to the turtle side if you create one. Sliders are not native to the area and a pet one being released is cruel and will not be likey to survive. For those of you wishing to obtain a turtle I suggest petfinder.com and emailing matts adoption. There are so many in need of homes and chances are good to get a baby to raise how you would like. I wish all of you the best of luck with your ponds, plants, turtles, and fish. I just hope I was able to shine some light on your dilemas. If you guys need any advice with your turtles you can email me at hallieeakin@yahoo.com.

Other than having a predator as your outdoor pet, the is nothing. I suggest you contact the Florida Coop Extension via Google for suggestions.

Brian, Cool. Enjoy your college years! SIU has a nice looking campus and is near a lot of great herping places. Plus how cool is it to be a Saluki?! I love that for a mascot. I always thought the lake there looked like a pretty good on campus herping site. And, of course, being that close to Snake Road is super cool. Good luck with your studies and the local herping.