Turtles & Tortoises For Dummies [Paperback]

Liz Palika (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 15, 2001

Coexisting with a turtle or tortoise may not be a warm and fuzzy experience, but it definitely has its rewards. And with more than 250 species to choose from, you’re bound to find one that’s right for you. Looks-wise, they can range from very plain and unadorned to a brightly colored and embellished with every manner of crest, crown, spike, and dewlap. As for personality, you’d be amazed at how very different they can be, ranging from shy and withdrawn, to outgoing and friendly, to outright aggressive. And when it comes to longevity, well, let’s just say that when you commit to a turtle or tortoise, you’re in it for the long haul. For example, the standard American box turtle can live more than 125 years, a leopard tortoise has a life span of up to 100 years, and an aldabran tortoise can live to be more than 200 years old!

This fun guide will help you choose the perfect turtle or tortoise for your lifestyle and give it the care it needs to thrive. Turtle and tortoise expert Liz Palika provides cl ear, step-by-step instructions on how to:

• Select the appropriate turtle or tortoise
• Provide a suitable environment for your new pal
• Care for a variety of chelonian (turtle and tortoise) species
• Supply you pet with a satisfying and healthy diet
• Create an indoor or outdoor home
• Understand your turtle’s or tortoise’s special needs

Generously illustrated with line drawings and high-quality photographs, Turtles & Tortoises For Dummies covers all the bases. Topics covered include:

• Deciding whether a turtle or tortoise is right for you
• Choosing between a turtle and tortoise
• Who’s Who of turtles and tortoises—a complete guide to dozens of species, where they’re from, what they’re like, and how they are as pets
• Creating a safe and healthy environment for your pet
• Recognizing and treating common health problems and finding a good veterinarian to help you care for your chelonian

Turtles & Tortoises For Dummies is your fun guide to selecting, caring for, and sharing your life with a chelonian.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Find out about your turtle or tortoise's special needs

The information you need to raise a thriving chelonian This fun guide will help you choose the perfect turtle or tortoise for your lifestyle and give it the care it needs to thrive. Turtle and tortoise expert Liz Palika provides clear, step-by-step instructions on how to set up a tank, maintain proper water conditions, and feed and care for your chelonian.

Discover how to: Select the appropriate turtle or tortoise Provide a suitable environment Care for a variety of species Supply a satisfying and healthy diet Create an indoor or outdoor home

The Dummies Way(TM) Explanations in plain English "Get in, get out" information Icons and other navigational aids Tear-out cheat sheet Top ten lists A dash of humor and fun

Get smart! www.dummies.com Attention pet owners! Get free Dummies Daily(TM) e-mail newsletters Sign up for tips on a variety of pets Keep your pet healthy and content - the Dummies Way(TM)

About the Author

Liz Palika is the author of over 20 pet care books. She lives with a variety of turtles and tortoises, including sulcata and leopard tortoises and Gulf Coast box turtles.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies; 1 edition (March 15, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764553135
• ISBN-13: 978-0764553134
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #78,128 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #5 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Animal Care & Pets > Reptiles & Amphibians
  • #10 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Biological Sciences > Animals > Reptiles & Amphibians

More About the Author

Liz Palika has been writing professionally since 1985 when she was first published in DOG FANCY magazine. Since then she has written more than 65 books and more than 1,000 magazine articles and columns. She has been published in DOG FANCY, DOG WORLD, CATS, CAT FANCY, AKC GAZETTE, and other pet publications, as well as NEWSWEEK, THE SATURDAY EVENING POST and WOMEN FIRST.

Her books include PUPPY LOVE and THE KISS GUIDE TO RAISING A PUPPY; both of which are favorites with new puppy owners. THE ULTIMATE DOG TREAT COOKBOOK received rave reviews in magazines and newspapers all over the country, including USA TODAY. ALL DOGS NEED SOME TRAINING was listed by PET LIFE MAGAZINE as one of the ten best training books available to dog owners.

Liz's books have been awarded many honors. THE HOWELL BOOK OF DOGS was awarded Best Reference Book by the Dog Writers Association of America and was nominated as Best Nonfiction Book by San Diego Book Awards. AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERD: CHAMPION OF VERSATILITY won Best Breed Book from Dog Writers Association of America and Best Nonfiction Book from San Diego Book Writers. SAVE THAT DOG! won best General Reference Book from Dog Writers and the First ASPCA Pet Overpopulation Answers Award from the ASPCA. Liz's work has also won awards from Cat Writers and Purina, as well as others from Dog Writers. Liz was honored with the San Diego Leadership Award, was a North County Woman of Merit, and in 2005 was awarded Dog Writers Distinguished Service Award.

Liz has an international platform to connect with her readers. Not only is her podcast, "It's a Doggy Dog World" on PetLifeRadio.com the #1 most downloaded show on that site, but she is also a blogger for the PetConnection.com.

Liz has been teaching dogs and their owners in North County San Diego for almost 25 years. Her dog training is based on an understanding of dogs and what makes them tick. Liz is a Certified Dog Trainer (CDT)and a Certified Behavioral Consultant. She is an AKC CGC (Canine Good Citizen) Evaluator #4182.

Working in Vista, California (San Diego County), Liz is the owner of Kindred Spirits Dog Training and sees more than a thousand dogs and their owners every year. Liz and her dogs, over the years have participated and trained in many dog sports, including agility, carting, conformation, herding, obedience, search and rescue, therapy dog work, and more.

Liz and her husband Paul share their home with three Australian Shepherds.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Not worth the money, June 17, 2004

By 

W. Paul W. "Paul White" (Amarillo, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Turtles & Tortoises For Dummies (Paperback)

Given that this book is obviously aimed at the beginner it would make sense for the book to offer decent info for commonly available species; mud and musk turtles, painted turtles, cooters, sliders, maybe Russian and Greek tortises, salcuttas, and some others. However, it doesn't.

The book focuses an insane amount on the large, expensive (often over 1,000US), rare-in-captivity tortises like the Galapagos and aldabra tortise, which are exactly what the novice keeper wont' likely be buying. The common, affordable, and easier to keep turtles and tortises are given short shrift in this book. They may get a line or two, but that's about it.
Furthermore, what information is given seems suspect; reccomended cage sizes tend to be on the small side, temps can be off, as can humidity. It's really not worth having--I threw my copy away.

25 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Save your money, March 17, 2004

By 

Debora Keller (Northwestern CT United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Turtles & Tortoises For Dummies (Paperback)

I purchased this book thinking (hoping) it would be the excellent source of information it is advertised to be; it is not.

I am very experienced in keeping all kinds of companion animals. As a rule, when I think I might want to add a new species to my household, I research the critter in question with great care. I purchased this book prior to getting my first tortoise. At the same time, I began researching my chosen species on the internet. Based upon what I have learned on the net and in speaking with tortoise keepers & breeders via e-mail/telephone and in person at "reptile expos", the information in this book is at best dated and over simplified and at worst may be dangerous to your pet.

The kindest thing I can say about this book is that it is poorly organized. This alone makes it difficult to formulate an understanding of tortoise culture. Further, the author often contradicts herself, causing the reader to question whether they are misunderstanding the text as they go.

Turtles and torts are highly specialized - they do not adapt to us as dogs or cats do. We MUST adapt to them and fulfill their very specific needs completely. Please research your chosen species very carefully before you purchase a turtle or tort!

If you simply must buy this book, please do not use it as your only or best source of info.

29 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars I really have to wonder about this book., March 12, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Turtles & Tortoises For Dummies (Paperback)

Granted, this woman has lots and lots of turtles and tortoises -- more of the latter than the former. Unfortunately, that affected her writing a bit. She wrote a little more about land and semi-aquatic chelonians than she did aquatic types. Not to mention that she drones on and on about caring for very LARGE species of tortoises, such as the Galapagos, sulcatas, and leopard tortoises, but she skimps out ENTIRELY on how to care for hatchlings. This is particularly disturbing because she takes you through all the ins-and-outs of actually breeding chelonians and incubating their eggs !

She also said it was okay to put plastic plants in an aquatic turtle's tank. I don't know about anyone else, but I'm paranoid that my turtle will try and eat plastic plants. And last but not least, she did list a few good aquarium plants that turtles can eat... by common name. She left out their scientific names entirely. This means that I have a very hard time buying aquatic plants because many are sold by their scientific names only, AND that I could pick up some subspecies of similiar plants thinking that they're okay when they could actually be poisonous to my turtle anyway.

And this woman has written thirty books on animals ?? May the buyer beware.