Before getting into “How To Take Care of Your Turtle” we thought it might be better for you to be aware of the most common turtle species that make awesome pets.
Some turtles grow too big, others are minimum. Some are friendly and more appealing, others will try to bite you.
But there are two facts: they all need special care depending on the species, which is why you need to know about yours. And… they don’t like to be carried around too much.
Yes, common mistake: believing we can lift them up and drop them like a toy. Don’t… some of them will pee on you.
Here we go with our list, we’ve ordered it from smallest to largest in terms of size:
1. Common Musk Turtle (Stinkpot) - 3 to 5 inches - Live up to 50 years and in some cases more
Scientific Name - Sternotherus Odoratus
Nicknames - Common Musk Turtle, Eastern Musk Turtle, Stinkpot
Since we can relax a little bit more in comparison to others about their care requirements, these little buddies make one of the best aquatic turtle species.
But… we need to not bother them too much. Stinkpots will feel threatened if there’s too much handling and will get upset. When that happens, let me tell you, they’ll release a musty and unpleasant smell, which explains their nickname.
An important issue about these little friends is that they need a good deal of basking space and lower levels of water than others due to the fact that they don’t make great swimmers.
2. Spotted Turtle - 4 to 6 inches - Up to 50 years easily, some even over 100 years
Scientific Name - Clemmys Guttata
Nicknames - Spotted Turtle, Clemmy, Michigan Spotted Turtle
Do you want a turtle friend for life? Here’s your best shot. Also, they’re the combination of small size and long-term commitment, making them one of the best options if your space is limited.
You will have a beautiful pet to watch and love for the rest of your life due to their particular spotted shell.
Important: they also need good basking platforms and low levels of water due to the fact that they can’t swim too well.
These little fellas are good at eating. You can feed them fruits, leafy greens and a lot of meat.
3. Eastern Box Turtle - 5 to 7 inches - Up to 100 years in the wild. Up to 30 to 40 years in captivity
Scientific Name - Terrapene carolina carolina
Nicknames - Eastern box turtle, Land Turtle
Well, here we have another one that doesn’t like too much water depth. They enjoy a pool with low levels of water that can emulate a humid environment like the one they live in outdoors. Places too cold and dry make them catch respiratory diseases.
I have to say, though, that Eastern Box Turtles will need plenty of space and a basking platform with access to UV light.
Opposite to some other species, they are very friendly and will show you their personality if you don’t lift them up too much.
Oh… come to them with tasty food and you’ll see them greeting you.
4. Wood Turtle - 5 to 8 inches - Up to 50 years
Scientific Name - Glyptemys insculpta
Nicknames: Wood Turtle, Old Red Leg
Here’s a straightforward difference that we’ll find in this species: Wood Turtles are tough and resilient. You can lift them up a little bit more than the other ones and they’ll still be very friendly. Of course, try not to abuse of that.
Also, Old Red Legs won’t demand as much as the others. Just provide a good deal of space, or better off, keep them outside, as long as you’re sure nothing out there can get into your yard and harm them.
Another straightforward difference: these buddies could easily drown in water too deep for them because they aren’t aquatic. Remember to keep water at a low level. You can feed them combinations of meat and leafy greens.
Important: be sure that the source you’re getting your wood turtle from is ethical, because these buddies can be illegal in certain States.
5. African Sideneck Turtle - 6 to 9 inches - Up to 50 years and sometimes more
Scientific Name - Pelomedusa subrufa
Nicknames - African side-neck turtle, African Side-necked turtle, African helmeted turtle
We love particularly distinctive turtles. This one has a long neck that can’t even be put back totally into their shell. Also, Sidenecks are aquatic but their anatomy is actually different than other aquatics.
Well… nobody is perfect, and Sidenecks are not the exception. These buddies’ water must be kept extremely clean, you might have to change it every week if your filtration system is not too good.
Talking about demanding turtles? Sidenecks are better kept indoors and will need plenty of basking space, UV lights, heat, the temperature should never drop below 70 degrees and at least a 75-gallons tank is necessary.
If you don’t bother them too much, they won’t hide when you try to spend time seeing them. Finally, try to feed them with a variety of fresh foods to avoid diseases.
6. Reeve’s Turtle - 6 to 9 inches - Up to 20 years
Scientific Name - Mauremys reevesii
Nicknames - Reeve's Turtle, Chinese pond turtle, Chinese three-keeled pond turtle
Turtles are not dogs… but some of them like to be caressed, Reeve’s are one of those. Once again, don’t abuse of that or they will get stressed.
Reeve’s will need a basking area with appropriate access to UV light and heat. Be sure your tank’s got a good filtration system.
These little friends’ health usually won’t be a problem even with decent care, but they don’t live too long. So, if you’re not looking for lifetime commitment, here’s your shot.
7. Mississippi Map Turtle - Up to 10 inches if female and up to 5 inches if male - Over 30 years
Scientific Name - Graptemys pseudogeographica kohni
Nicknames - Mississippi Map Turtle, Sawback
Here we have another one that won’t present much trouble when it comes to health. Of course, vital for most of them is: fresh and diverse diet, good water hygiene and appropriate lighting and heat.
If you’re not looking for something big, these buddies might be a good option for you. Some of them have lived over 30 year, but a lot of them live less than average.
You will recognize a Mississippi Map Turtle because of the dorsal fin running along their shell, which explains one of their nicknames.
8. Western Painted Turtle - Up to 10 inches - Up to 50 years and sometimes more
Scientific Name - Chrysemys picta bellii
Nicknames - Western Painted Turtle
As has been told, we love distinctive turtles, and this is one of those due to the very attractive marks they have on their shell.
Western Painted Turtles like to eat while they swim. So, it might be good for you to feed them foods that you can easily take out of the water if they don’t eat it.
You could say they are a little bit spoiled, because they’re not too big but still will need a large tank or outdoor space, basking platforms, lighting, heat and a good filtration system.
Oh, and, of course, they won’t enjoy too much handling.
9. Red-Eared Slider - Up to 12 inches - Live up to 20 or 30 years
Scientific Name - Trachemys scripta elegans
Nicknames - Slider Turtle, Water Slider Turtle, Red-Eared Slider, Red-Eared Terrapin, Red-Eared Slider Turtle, Red-Eared Turtle
The golden species. The most popular, loved, sociable, friendly, interactive.
They will need a large tank and proper areas for basking, multiple if necessary. Of course, a good filtration system and access to UV light and heat will be needed.
You will have a good time observing a Red-Eared, they are nice and will welcome you.
Sliders are demanding turtles, but if you take care of them properly, they’ll make healthy and tough pets.
10. Yellow-Bellied Slider - Up to 5 to 9 inches adult males and up to 8 to 13 inches adult females - Up to 40 years
Scientific Name - Trachemys scripta scripta
Nicknames - Yellow-Bellied Slider
If you want a turtle that likes getting attention, here’s your shot. Yellow-Bellieds are very active during the day and enjoy having the spotlight when people stare at the tank.
These are one of the most easy to find, but you have to make sure your source is morally responsible.
They need good basking platforms, lighting and heat.
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