The sea turtle is a horrible idea. Youd probably have to buy it on the black market. and when it got too big your going to release it? where on the oregon coast? Or fly it to the tropics in your checked baggage? The issue is not if it can find food in the wild after captivity, its can it identify a predator. and how will it cope with 20' seas. It will be doomed from the day you aquire it. Sorry for the negativity, but I think you need to be talked out of the idea.
as for reptiles being poor choices for pets. I wholeheartedly disagree. There are snakes lizards and turtles that are not good in captivity, but there are many that definitly make great pets. I have had 100s of snakes, mostly constrictors and they make fantastic pets. In fact, I have always believed that a red tail boa is in the top 2 perfect pets to own...a close second to a good dog.
