What I learned...

while researching an article on effects of possible federal regulations on snake ownership:

Of the 4.8 million American households that have pet herps, 50 percent have a turtle, far more than any other type.

(According to a survey by the American Pet Products Manufacturer's Association.)

I was surprised by this at first, because my feeling about turtles, especially aquatic ones, is that they're too much trouble to take care of unless I'm getting paid. But of course - it's because turtles are so cute that people probably don't even think of them as reptiles really.