So, we have gathered some of the best turtle species that pet keepers can pick according to their space and setup. In my opinion, the three best pet turtles for beginners are red-eared sliders, painted turtles, and musk turtles. Below I have put together brief descriptions and habitat recommendations for each of these species of turtle.
All three of these turtle species are aquatic turtles which will require a tank with a lot of water. If you want to make an easy choice, then Red-Eared sliders are a great option.
They are the most popular species of turtle, and they are readily available in most pet stores. If you have limited space you should consider a painted turtle. Found throughout the state of Florida, the peninsula cooter is a common pet turtle species.
As long as you meet their baseline health and habitat requirements, peninsula cooters can live long and happy lives in captivity. Speaking of which, this type of turtle requires a long commitment.
In good living conditions, peninsula cooters can live up to 30 years! Like other aquatic turtles, peninsula cooters thrive in water.
They prefer warm temperatures around 75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, which is close to year-round temperatures in Florida. These turtles also require high humidity levels of about 70 percent! Technically speaking, the peninsula cooter is an omnivore. However, it does best on a plant-based diet for most of its life. The turtles will feed on aquatic plants throughout the day. For mealtime, they enjoy blanched vegetables and leafy greens.
A few insects here and there are good as well as a source of protein. Larger adults will need more substantial protein sources.
Wood turtles are a bit rarer than others on the market. They often fetch a higher price tag, as most come from breeders. You might see a wild-caught specimen every once in a while. Avoid those at all costs. Wild populations are on the decline, so collecting them is illegal in most regions. These reptiles are very active and exhibit some unique behaviors. On dry land, wood turtles have no problem sharing their habitat. They socialize with one another and coexist in peace.
But the second they go in the water, things change! They can get a bit territorial in the water. These pet turtles are known to dry to drown others that encroach on their space. So, you have to be careful about providing plenty of space for your turtles. This gorgeous turtle species lives a unique lifestyle. Razorback musk turtles are almost entirely aquatic! You can usually find them lounging around the bottom of the aquarium or swimming around.
However, many herp-lovers recommend installing a perch just in case. For the most part, the only time that razorback musk turtles venture on land is to lay eggs. The turtle may occasionally step out of the water to bask. The razorback musk turtle has a very distinct shell with a couple of notable features.
Each scute features lateral black lines along the perimeter. The lines move toward the center of the scute, creating a stunning pattern. The shell also has a sharp keel down the center. As long as you have a well-maintained and well-decorated tank, they will live happily. The turtles also accept a wide variety of foods. This sweet pet turtle is a real looker! Rather than the muted tones you often see with aquatic species, these guys are sporting bright neon shades.
You might see colors like pink, red, or bright orange. They usually have distinct patterns on the bottom of the plastron as well as the carapace. Pink-bellied side-neck turtles need ample space to swim.
These turtles have large webbed feet that they use to paddle through the water. They spend most of their time under the surface of the water where they will forage and play. Of course, a land-based basking spot is paramount, too. Basking areas should have temperatures in the low to mids so that they can thermoregulate their bodies efficiently. Exact sizes vary from turtle to turtle.
But, most specimens born in captivity will grow to be around 6 inches in length. That makes them noticeably smaller than other aquatic turtles in the trade. They need a sizable swimming area as well as a piece of land to bask on. In fact, larger habitats could be detrimental.
Most herpetology enthusiasts recommend providing a depth between 1. They willingly accept commercial turtle food products. You can also provide leafy greens for a more natural alternative. The most important thing is to provide a balanced diet with a calcium to phosphorus ratio of This will help avoid calcium deficiencies and any shell issues that follow. The painted turtle is another eye-catching species with a lot to offer in the looks department.
They are aptly named for the beautiful markings on the shell. The body of this pet turtle is colorful, too! The head mimics the color pattern of other aquatic turtles. However, the neck, arms, and legs have several patches of bright red that pop!
Painted turtles reach lengths of about 12 inches as adults. Females are almost always larger than males. In the wild, you can spot these creatures swimming in the water or basking on a floating log to dry off. In captivity, you must cater to that behavior and create a similar environment. These turtles spend a lot of time in the water.
But the occasional lounging session is important, too. Because they spend so much time swimming, feeding painted turtles can be a bit tricky. They do not eat on land. Despite their misleading name they are not only found in China, but also Japan, Vietnam and Laos. These animals are omnivorous but prefer a leafy green diet over insects. In captivity you can feed them vegetables, leafy greens and some protein.
They are not common pets but any dedicated beginner can care for one. These turtles are more colorful than other box species and owners love them for their rarity. Their shells are often dark brown and occasionally have red-brown patches. They have yellow heads and brown limbs and are quite a colorful pet.
The Desert Box is one of two subspecies of Terrapene ornata. The other type is the hugely popular Ornate Box Turtle 6. Desert Box Turtles are slightly more yellow in color than the Ornate and thrive in low humidity.
This makes them the best choice for someone who lives in a dry environment. They do not need high humidity like most types of turtles. The Desert Box is cheaper, smaller and more popular than its Chinese cousin However, it is not quite as bright and lives longer. They are usually red, brown or green and the ridges on their shells resemble those of an alligator. First time keepers should know this is one of the biggest pet turtles and can reach 1.
The Mata Mata is not the best swimmer. They love stagnant, muddy water because it provides them with a place to hide. Most of their time is spent hiding near the bottom of the water and using their tube-like snout to breathe. As their name suggests they have a shell that is softer than the typical hard shell.
Similar to the Mata Mata 25 breed the softshell is an incredibly unique type of turtle. Their upkeep can be hard because of their soft shell. Any beginner will need to be dedicated to care for them and keep their tank clean. Unfortunately this animal is commonly used for Chinese food and medicine, but you can also keep one as a pet. Like the Chinese Softshell 24 they need lots of water to swim in and a small basking area.
Spiny Softshells are found anywhere from central to northeastern United States and from southern Ontario to northern Mexico. Softshells are shy and skittish due to having less protection from their soft shell. This turtle is considered to be threatened in the wild, but fortunately there are many captive-bred.
Spiny Softshells have a soft, flat shell and pointed nose. They are brown or green and have small spines lining part of their shell. This spiny reptile prefers open waters and sandy resting places. They spend their days basking and foraging for food. A responsible beginner can care for this breed but they do have specific care requirements and are known to be shy. These little guys measure just five inches. They are usually black or dark brown with yellow-cream colored spots on their head and shell.
Some have yellow, orange or red on their bellies too. They usually adjust well to captivity but are not strong swimmers and should be kept in a tank with shallow waters. They are not as unique as many pet turtles types in this list, but they are low-maintenance and hardy. Yellow Muds typically have yellow to light brown shells and bellies. Their cheeks and chin are a brighter shade of yellow than their shell.
These turtles are found in freshwater habitats in the midwestern United States. Yellow Muds are hardy and tolerant of many climates. If water starts to dry up, they bury themselves beneath the mud. What makes this animal easy to care for is its diet. It will eat food e. Appropriately named they have three light tan to cream colored stripes that run along the length of their shell.
These stripes can be more difficult to see on some species. Striped Mud turtles are found in the southeastern United States from Virginia down to the tip of Florida. Similar to the Yellow Mud 20 this small turtle is just five inches and likes to swim. Interestingly when they were first discovered it was thought they were only aquatic. It was later discovered they come up on land only occasionally. They should have a gallon tank with plenty of water to swim around in.
Their shells are normally dark gray or black and have a rocky appearance. Their skin is usually light blue-gray in color with black spots. They are often found in reedy marshes, lagoons and channels along the east coast of the United States. What makes them unusual is that they live in saltwater but need fresh water to drink.
In the wild this species is timid but captive animals can be quite social after they adjust to their new environment. They should live in gallon tanks, but their water does not need to be heated like many types of turtles. They live in slow-moving water with lots of vegetation and often have brown shells and brown-green skin.
Owners love them for their charming personalities and small size. These aquatic animals are very active so live best in gallon tanks with water depths that are 1. Ornate Wood Turtles are more terrestrial than most on this list! They are normally found in wooded areas close to streams or ponds. They have thin red lines on their face and parts of their shell.
The rest of their shell is light brown with a center ridge. Their bellies are often yellow with patches of red. It is important that they are purchased from a captive breeder. When taken from the wild they have a hard time adjusting and normally die within one year. Not much is known about the history of the Razorback Musk other than they were found in the southeastern United States.
Beginners love these turtles because they are small, unique and easy to care for. They do not grow larger than six inches but are the largest of their type i. They are not aggressive or likely to bite you but they are shy so they should not be handled frequently.
They will be less afraid if you watch them from afar. They can be found along the east coast to Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas. Common Musks are smaller than the Razorback Musk 15 and similar in size to the Loggerhead Herpetologists love to keep this turtle because of their small size and ease of care.
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