Are we sure the Turtles are red-earred sliders?

*Andrew NDB* · 06-15-2011, 10:42 AM

The Tales of the TMNT Vol. 2 issue (the # escapes me now) seemed to cement them as red-earred sliders... HOWEVER, the very original TMNT Vol. 1, #1 issue specifically indicates that Chet's "terrarium" of turtles was smashed.

Terrarium, not "aquarium." Red-earred sliders would strictly be kept in an aquarium, as they require water... a terrarium would be for land turtles like tortoises and box turtles.

Thoughts?

*Candy Kappa* · 06-15-2011, 10:49 AM

besides for that pin-up page, I can only recall the movie having them as Red Eared Sliders

Edit: And they are called Turtles, not Tortoises. So it seems natural that they are aquatic turtles or they are box turtles, but then they would probably have drowned in the sewers?

Demon-Alukard · 06-15-2011, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew NDB

The Tales of the TMNT Vol. 2 issue (the # escapes me now) seemed to cement them as red-earred sliders...

It was Tales #53, not official story by student of the Cartoon Center. Peter Laird admitted what this story wasn't a canon. As I know, this is not mentioned anywhere, and Turtles are not red-earred at all.

*Revan* · 06-15-2011, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew NDB

The Tales of the TMNT Vol. 2 issue (the # escapes me now) seemed to cement them as red-earred sliders... HOWEVER, the very original TMNT Vol. 1, #1 issue specifically indicates that Chet's "terrarium" of turtles was smashed.

Terrarium, not "aquarium." Red-earred sliders would strictly be kept in an aquarium, as they require water... a terrarium would be for land turtles like tortoises and box turtles.

Your point of the terrarium is well taken and I have even thought about it because I used to have a slider so I was aware of the proper care equipment. However, Eastman has admitted mistakes to some of the issues. The guy couldn't even spell. I don't find it much of a stretch that he simply used the wrong term, terrarium instead of aquarium.

Besides, if Chet was walking around outside carrying turtles, it would make more sense to keep them in a terrarium for transportation. An aquarium full of water and four turtles would be much much heavier for the poor kid.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Demon-Alukard

It was Tales #53, not official story by student of the Cartoon Center. Peter Laird admitted what this story wasn't a canon. As I know, this is not mentioned anywhere, and Turtles are not red-earred at all.

Tales volume 2 #18
Don specifically states that he was once a red eared slider... look it up

*oldmanwinters* · 06-15-2011, 11:19 AM

Does anyone really believe that Eastman & Laird had the foresight to decide upon what kind of turtle the guys were all the way back in 1983? I seriously doubt it. I'm with Andrew. The whole "red eared slider" theory has to be a recent innovation!

*Powder* · 06-15-2011, 12:54 PM

I coulda swore I read somewhere that the red bandanas were to a nod to red eared sliders as opposed to black or white ones.

*plastroncafe* · 06-15-2011, 01:20 PM

A few things:

- All tortoises are turtles, not all turtles are tortoises.
- While RedEared Sliders do live most of their time in water, they must have a land area on which to bask. One could really push the definition of "terrarium" to be an enclosure with a land area.
- Isn't Chet just carrying a glass bowl of turtles?
- RES are one of the most popular turtles to be sold as hatchlings on the street because they're brightly colored.

*Andrew NDB* · 06-15-2011, 01:52 PM

Frank just sent me this:

*Revan* · 06-15-2011, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plastroncafe

- Isn't Chet just carrying a glass bowl of turtles?

Actually the lettering identifies it as a jar

Tales Vol 2 #18

*plastroncafe* · 06-15-2011, 02:10 PM

Frank clearly has too much time on his hands.

*Buslady* · 06-15-2011, 02:51 PM

My 2c:
Turtles & torts are chelonian, our heroes are chelonian...

RES, boxies, painted or freaking diamond backs ....who cares they're turtles.

IMO they are red ears. Mutation removed species details...and some cases their manly boy tails lol!!!!

Terrariums are glass tanks, aquariums are glass tanks ...both are too heavy to carry. A small critter carrier/ jar/ glass bowls work to transport. Housing really should be a pond! No aquariums for big red ears!

Demon-Alukard · 06-15-2011, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buslady

RES, boxies, painted or freaking diamond backs ....who cares they're turtles.

I believe if Andrew asking about it, he has a reason =)

**Jester** · 06-15-2011, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Demon-Alukard

I believe if Andrew asking about it, he has a reason =)

Like when he asked if we should retroactively change TMNT to TMNF?

*PizzaPower* · 06-15-2011, 05:56 PM

or he just wanted to know.

*gobo* · 06-15-2011, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PizzaPower

or he just wanted to know.

Pretty sure that's what's known as "a reason"... o.o

*Buslady* · 06-15-2011, 06:37 PM

Oh and just for $#!+$, proper care of a red ear slider doesn't include a tank. Pond, the only way for an adult res, esp females.

*Donnie* · 06-15-2011, 09:23 PM

I always found the red slider identification shaky, since the Turtles are, for example, never soaking themselves in water or ever blantantly stating they require certain attention akin to what a red slider would need. I always thought a certain species or variation(s) of box turtle would have been a better way to go.

Honestly though, at the end of the day, it's probably best to just chalk species misidentification or confusion to their mutation. That's the best default outlet of reasoning concerning any anomalies concerning the Turtles, I would think.

**Jester** · 06-15-2011, 10:14 PM

Judging from the art of the Turtles, I'm gonna say RES makes more sense than box turtle. Their shells aren't as "round" as a box, more flat like a slider, and they don't really have a box turtle like beak. And I know it's the FW series, but they frequently mention water as a natural habitat...

*gobo* · 06-15-2011, 11:11 PM

The OT also had them call themselves amphibians before. Granted, an early ep of 2K3 had a writer obviously make the same mistake, but the VAs covered it up by calling them "amphibious" each time, literally meaning "like amphibians".

**Jester** · 06-15-2011, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gobo

The OT also had them call themselves amphibians before. Granted, an early ep of 2K3 had a writer obviously make the same mistake, but the VAs covered it up by calling them "amphibious" each time, literally meaning "like amphibians".

To true. I've always interpreted the use of "amphibian" to refer to the change from baby RES to mutant Turtles...much like a frog goes from tadpole to...well...frog.

So I guess the punk Frogs were amphibians twice over.

06-15-2011, 10:49 AM	#2
Candy Kappa The Agenda of Existing Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Vikingland Posts: 14,596	besides for that pin-up page, I can only recall the movie having them as Red Eared Sliders Edit: And they are called Turtles, not Tortoises. So it seems natural that they are aquatic turtles or they are box turtles, but then they would probably have drowned in the sewers? __________________ devianArt Instagram Youtube Tumblr Art Blog Patreon Last edited by Candy Kappa; 06-15-2011 at 10:54 AM.

06-15-2011, 12:54 PM	#6
Powder So tired of this place Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Shell Ri La Posts: 26,809	I coulda swore I read somewhere that the red bandanas were to a nod to red eared sliders as opposed to black or white ones. __________________ I'm convinced that none of you have ever experienced joy

06-15-2011, 01:52 PM	#8
Andrew NDB Weed Whacker Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Auburn, WA Posts: 29,279	Frank just sent me this: __________________ [ ODYSSEY \| ORIGIN \| THE IMAGE/VOL. 3 CONCLUSION \| THE SHELLSHOCKED PODCAST \| ON FACEBOOK ]

06-15-2011, 02:51 PM	#11
Buslady WingsOfDarkness! Perkele! Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: In 7803... Posts: 4,366	My 2c: Turtles & torts are chelonian, our heroes are chelonian... RES, boxies, painted or freaking diamond backs ....who cares they're turtles. IMO they are red ears. Mutation removed species details...and some cases their manly boy tails lol!!!! Terrariums are glass tanks, aquariums are glass tanks ...both are too heavy to carry. A small critter carrier/ jar/ glass bowls work to transport. Housing really should be a pond! No aquariums for big red ears! __________________

06-15-2011, 05:56 PM	#14
PizzaPower Foot Elite Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Pizza Parlor Posts: 3,184	or he just wanted to know. __________________ https://www.twitch.tv/turtlepizzapower

06-15-2011, 10:42 AM	#1
Andrew NDB Weed Whacker Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Auburn, WA Posts: 29,279	Are we sure the Turtles are red-earred sliders? The Tales of the TMNT Vol. 2 issue (the # escapes me now) seemed to cement them as red-earred sliders... HOWEVER, the very original TMNT Vol. 1, #1 issue specifically indicates that Chet's "terrarium" of turtles was smashed. Terrarium, not "aquarium." Red-earred sliders would strictly be kept in an aquarium, as they require water... a terrarium would be for land turtles like tortoises and box turtles. Thoughts? __________________ [ ODYSSEY \| ORIGIN \| THE IMAGE/VOL. 3 CONCLUSION \| THE SHELLSHOCKED PODCAST \| ON FACEBOOK ]

06-15-2011, 11:19 AM	#5
oldmanwinters Overlord Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Between yesterday and tomorrow! Posts: 14,940	Does anyone really believe that Eastman & Laird had the foresight to decide upon what kind of turtle the guys were all the way back in 1983? I seriously doubt it. I'm with Andrew. The whole "red eared slider" theory has to be a recent innovation! __________________ Experience the TMNT Fan Commentaries! Check out my TMNT fan comic, "Nothing to Fear"! View my sketch work! I'm selling some of my hard-to-find TMNT items!

06-15-2011, 06:37 PM	#16
Buslady WingsOfDarkness! Perkele! Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: In 7803... Posts: 4,366	Oh and just for $#!+$, proper care of a red ear slider doesn't include a tank. Pond, the only way for an adult res, esp females. __________________

06-15-2011, 09:23 PM	#17
Donnie Something from the Past Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: New York Posts: 3,240	I always found the red slider identification shaky, since the Turtles are, for example, never soaking themselves in water or ever blantantly stating they require certain attention akin to what a red slider would need. I always thought a certain species or variation(s) of box turtle would have been a better way to go. Honestly though, at the end of the day, it's probably best to just chalk species misidentification or confusion to their mutation. That's the best default outlet of reasoning concerning any anomalies concerning the Turtles, I would think.

06-15-2011, 10:14 PM	#18
Jester Rat-faced Dude-guy Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Arkansas Posts: 26,216	Judging from the art of the Turtles, I'm gonna say RES makes more sense than box turtle. Their shells aren't as "round" as a box, more flat like a slider, and they don't really have a box turtle like beak. And I know it's the FW series, but they frequently mention water as a natural habitat... __________________ "Clearly, you're Ninja Turtling incorrectly." - Leo656

06-15-2011, 11:11 PM	#19
gobo Wacky Action Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: on Earth Posts: 12,784	The OT also had them call themselves amphibians before. Granted, an early ep of 2K3 had a writer obviously make the same mistake, but the VAs covered it up by calling them "amphibious" each time, literally meaning "like amphibians". __________________ Live and let live... or go to hell.