Breed: Red-eared slider

Current age: 20

Family member names: Lindsay and new brother Talon (8 weeks old)

How long has your pet been with you? Raisin has been with me since he was a baby turtle. He has been with me over 20 years! 

Why did you get your pet?  I got Raisin because I was instantly drawn to how adorable he was, and I happened to have a recently set-up tank that was just waiting for the right little occupant. After a few less-than-successful experiences with fish, I decided it was time to try something new. A turtle felt like the perfect fit, and Raisin’s personality has made the switch totally worth it!

Is there a story behind his name? I named him Raisin because he was so small when I got him. His name stuck when I discovered that raisins were his favorite special treat. 

Anything special or unusual about him? Raisin loves music. Every time music is playing in the house Raisin starts frolicking around the tank. 

What are Raisin's favorite activities? Raisin loves swimming in his baby pool in my backyard. I put the pool under a tree and Raisin loves to spend summer afternoons outside.

Does Raisin know any special tricks? Raisin somehow has learned to dive upside-down off his rock into the water of his tank. Check out the photo!

What is the best memory involving your pet? One of my favorite memories with Raisin was during our move from Philadelphia to Buffalo. The car was packed to the brim with boxes and bags, but I made sure Raisin had a cozy, spacious spot all to himself. It felt like a little road trip adventure, just the two of us. I kept checking on him throughout the drive, and every time I looked over, he was calm and curious, like he knew something exciting was ahead. It made the stress of moving feel a lot lighter.

What do you like best about Raisin? One of the things I love most about Raisin is how interactive he is. As soon as I walk into the living room (where his tank is), he’ll swim right over to the side closest to me, like he’s saying hello. If I move around the room, he actually follows me, gliding to different parts of the tank to keep me in sight. It’s like having a tiny, underwater shadow. He’s surprisingly social for a turtle!

Anything else we should know:  Raisin recently became a big brother to Talon, my 8-week-old baby, and it’s already clear they’re fans of each other. Raisin shows his affection by swimming up to the glass whenever Talon is near, almost like he’s checking in on him. He’ll even do little 'laps' or excited wiggles when Talon makes baby noises, as if he's responding to him. Meanwhile, Talon is absolutely mesmerized. He watches Raisin with wide-eyed fascination, completely captivated as he glides around the tank. It’s the start of a very special (and very quiet) friendship.