Jeff Carlson, age 8, of Edmonds., Wash., for his question:
Why shouldn't we buy a turtle with paint on his shell?
This is a sad story, but Andy's young friends can. do something about it. All of us have seen these little turtles with words painted on their shells. Gift shops and certain pet shops seem to think that the little darlings look better that way. Well, those little turtles are babies and, sad to say, the paint ruins their shells. The part of the shell under the paint cannot grow and as the turtles get bigger, they are lop sided.
Some of us have bought a baby turtle without knowing this and some of us have received one as a gift. Naturally, when we know that the paint is cruel to the turtle, we want to get it off right away. And this part of the story is even more sorrowful. The shell of a baby turtle is quite fragile. He cannot use turpentine on it or any other paint remover for these chemicals may poison the darling pet.
There is just one chance we can help the decorated turtle. If the paint happens to be loose or flaky, it can be peeled away. However, this is a very, very delicate operation. It should be done by some grown up person, either a parent or teacher.
Most of us will be unable to help the little turtle, But perhaps there is something we can do to stop people from painting more little turtles. We can march right back to the shop where the little fellow was purchased and ask to exchange him for one who is not painted. If we all do this# the people who sell the little darlings will soon stop painting them.
Chances are, our pat turtle is a slider. die earns this name because of his habit of sliding into the water when he fears trouble. Actually, most of his time is spent in the water, though he also needs plenty of sun bathing on the dry land.
When you adopt him as a pet, he will need a little swimming pool where he will spend most of his time, He will also need a small island of dry land where he can do his sun bathing.
The little darling is not at all choosy about food. Ire will eat bits of meat, fruit and vegetables of all kinds. It is a good idea to smear a little cod liver oil on his meat, just in case he is not getting enough sun to help him grow. He does not like the weather either too hot or too cold and he may become loggy when the temperature goes below 60 degrees He is most comfortable between 75 and 80 degrees.
When you sae him without his fanc;j paint, you will wonder why anybody thought of decorating him. For he i s a very pretty little animal e His dainty shell is a leafy green color end there are yellowish streaks on his head and neck. His most noticeable feature is a bright red line from the corner of each eye running clear around the back of his head, Now who would want to add painted decorations to such a pretty creature?