PET TURTLES HOT SELLERS Jim Mayfield/The News-Leader Brian Cline, a SMS sophomore and employee of Pet turtle sales indicate Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle-crazed Warehouse, takes a close look at a red ear turtle. Rising youths think buying turtles is a bodacious idea. 'Ninja Turtles' bring requests for pet By Michelle Beth Katzenell The News-Leader Hey dude, want a turtle like Michaelangelo? Or, one that looks like Leonardo?* Kids obsessed with "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" now crave live turtles, some Springfield pet stores say. However, the live critters are hard to find in local shops. Of more than a dozen pet shops contacted Tuesday, only two stores - Pet Warehouse, 1009 S. Campbell Ave., and Karl's Pets in Battlefield Mall have them in stock. Others, however, can order them upon request. Most Springfield pet shops say requests for the live turtles are up. Nation- wide, it's the same story. in diameter for $9.99 each. Some attribute it to the "Teenage Mu- Ken Reynolds, owner of Petables at tant Ninja Turtle" movie, cartoon and 2703 N. Kansas Expressway, says he's paraphernalia. noticed a jump in requests for turtles "The little kids want them," says Den- since Mutant Ninja Turtles made their ise Berdux, assistant manager at Pet debut in Springfield. Warehouse. "They say, 'Ooh. It looks "I really didn't have any requests unlike so-and-so in the mutant turtle til the movie come out," Reynolds says. movie.' " Most children want small turtles that But most parents don't give in to their are found in lakes but are illegal to sell, requests, Berdux says. Nevertheless, the he says. Turtles must be at least 4 inches idea of turtles as pets has made a com- in diameter to sell because of the danger back from the 1960s. of salmonella infection. *The Ninja Turtle guys have brought Karl's Pets has stocked 5-to 6-inch leaf them back," Berdux says. and soft shell turtles that sell for bePet Warehouse sells soft shell turtles tween $20 and $40, says Sales Clerk Viviand red ear turtles that are 4 to 5 inches an Curbow.