Other pets (pics and discussions)

[Millinex]

How does one justify letting a turtle free-roam the house? You can not in any way shape or form meet the proper husbandry requirements for the animal in a home environment... ?

[RedSidedSPR]

i wondered the same thing, but he apparently has it under control.

[drache]

I can kind of answer that question
animals meet their own husbandry requirements in the wild - they find a place to bask, a place to drink, food, etc . . .
if all those things are available, the husbandry requirements are met
my tortoise is just a little Greek guy, and yet I cannot see myself restricting him to a 2'x3' standard turtle enclosure - not since I found that on a normal day he roams my entire yard 48'x18.5' more than once, even though he spends long periods with his neck laid out on a sun-warmed rock, or dug into some end of the compost pile, in between his forays
in winter, he gets to roam some part of the house that has a UVB/heat lamp set up somewhere
yes - I can control his environment better in an enclosure, but he has more choice in a larger space that perhaps more closely mimics the size of his natural territory

[guidofatherof5]

How does one justify letting a turtle free-roam the house? You can not in any way shape or form meet the proper husbandry requirements for the animal in a home environment... ?

Well, considering he has complete access to a fresh water supply and is fed a balanced diet. He get outside time for some of his UV needs and requires much less than most turtles. Snappers are not a basking turtle, they do on occasion but as a rule don't. His growth weight and rate is very good and he's been given a clean bill of health at the Vet. I also have a friend who has been rescuing and raising snapping turtles most of his life. He has seen my set-up and stated everything looks good. Tanks plastron is checked every couple of days for any abrasions, which he's never had.
The turtle is alert and interactive and showing no signs of stress or other issues.
Is is nature? No, but nature doesn't always supply the best living conditions for animals. They simply adjust to what they've been given.
Any suggestions you might have that would improve upon what I am giving Tank would be greatly appreciated.

[Millinex]

As long as you are actually making strides to provide him with some natural elements. Such as the fact he should have an area fully allowing him to submerge and whatnot. No harm there in my book.

Most people who have free roaming herps have no proper areas for basking/dirt/water etc etc, such as iguanas treated like dogs. Then the owner wonders why they died so early in life- without thinking about the fact they never gave it enough humidity, food, UV exposure etc.

[ConcinusMan]

How does one justify letting a turtle free-roam the house?

Normally I would agree with you, but in this case, tank is safe, comfortable, healthy as a horse, and growing fast. No harm, no foul.

[Millinex]

Normally I would agree with you, but in this case, tank is safe, comfortable, healthy as a horse, and growing fast. No harm, no foul.

Doesn't change the fact that 99% of reptiles kept and allowed to free-roam in a home environment do not have proper conditions. Naturally one should be weary of any free-roaming reptile and asking a lot of questions.

[kibakiba]

Well honestly, it's Steve's turtle. Steve always tries to provide the best for his animals, why would it be any different with his turtle? I'm sure tank enjoys not being cooped up in an enclosure that doesn't work.

[ConcinusMan]

Rufus. Silly dog.

[RedSidedSPR]

Does he always where that shirt?

I like Rufus.