There will be all kinds of creatures at the Pet Expo at the Glacier in Mount Pearl this weekend including those who reside at a turtle sanctuary in St. John’s.

Dennis Oliver operates the “Turtle Rest and Retirement Villa” with over 50 of the slow-moving hard-shelled reptiles. He has a large tank in his basement where he keeps the homeless animals.

Oliver says it’s not uncommon for people to acquire a turtle from a pet store, not realizing that it is a lifetime commitment. His research shows that they can live for as long as 80 years. And a baby turtle grows into a big turtle.

He says in 5-7 years, instead of being the size of a toonie, it can become as large as a dinner plate. That means a total overhaul of the tank, lighting system and plumbing.

He says one of the turtles at the sanctuary will actually go to you if you call its name.

You can get your picture taken with “Big Momma,” a yellowbelly slider. It’s one of the first turtles they had at the sanctuary.