A $4.99 turtle can teach you a lot about the unexpected energy costs of owning a pet, so choose wisely.

When my stepdaughter came home to Seattle from a Spring Break trip to Florida a few years back, she didn’t come alone. Along with a suitcase full of clothes that needed washing was a small plastic case with a red-eared slider turtle. She was so proud of her new pet, bought on the spur of the moment for $4.99.

What a bargain, she thought.

Today, the still unnamed turtle resides in a 10-gallon aquarium with a gravel base and rock structures. That setup ran about $70 total. He – at least I think it’s a he – also has an oxygen bubbler, UV lighting and a “hot rock,” which is a small pad that plugs in to create a warm spot. The turtle clearly loves the artificial habitat, stretching his head out to warm himself as if he were spending time at the spa.

What I quickly realized as my stepdaughter was setting up all the gear was the impact this turtle was starting to have on our electricity bill. 

The hot rock and bubbler run 24 hours a day. And the UV lighting, which also helps warm the tank runs about 8 hours a day, often more unless I remind my stepdaughter its time for the turtle to get some rest. Such gear uses about 64 watts of energy. Over a year, that adds up to about $39, or about eight times the original cost of my stepdaughter’s turtle.

I don’t want to sound like I’m down on pets. I’m not. I’ve got two rescue mutts on top of the turtle and have cared for two hamsters.  Animals can add tons of love, joy and companionship to our lives. For some people, a turtle might be the perfect pet. But in picking a pet, please think about all the implications.

Seattle is not Florida and our cooler climate means caring for reptiles will require more than an aquarium and some time in the sun. Choosing a lower-maintenance pet that is suited to the local climate can help you conserve electricity and save money, which is the reason you’re reading THIS SPACE.

My stepdaughter’s turtle taught me a lesson. The turtle still has a home, but from now on, I’m sticking with dogs.

The Humane Society nearest you has animals in need of homes and information on campaigns against cruelty.