The pet store in the Westgate shopping mall sells terrapins (a small turtle species from Northern America). As we’ve had mixed luck with fish, we decided to get a few. They’re really cute, and a hell of a lot more interesting than fish…

This particular species is a red-eared slider, but it seems there are a handful of related terrapin species. They were apparently a delicacy in North America in the early 1900s, but high demand and over capture led to their near extinction after a only decade or two. I think I’ll pass on the turtle soup, thank you very much!

Ours are in a good home because Cassandra has gone to great lengths to make them feel comfortable. She even lets me take them out so they can walk around the house (they need air every once in awhile)!

A Few More Pictures

Here are a few more pictures from the day we got them. Before all the turtle rights activists get up on our case, their tank has grown in size considerably then!

Cassandra’s set up a blog to collect and disseminate information about the feeding, cleaning, and care of turtles in Kenya. You should probably go check it out if you’re interested in that kinda stuff:

Turtlets in Kenya

… the pictures alone are probably worth your while!