There is a wide variety of turtle species, and some make better pets than others. Some will grow to a very large size, others are known for being more sociable and less aggressive, and they all have different requirements for space, lighting, and diet.

Here are 15 turtle species that make good pets, and everything you need to know to properly care for them.

Tip – box turtles for sale

Turtles aren’t generally a good choice of pet for young children. They can become stressed or aggressive if handled too much or improperly. Turtles can also carry the salmonella bacteria, which could be transferred to children if they don’t have good hygiene practices.

01of 13Red-Eared Slider

Red-eared sliders are one of the most popular of all aquatic turtle species. They tend to be friendlier and more sociable than some of their relatives, they’re pretty active, and they’re widely available, usually costing around $20 on average. Also, the males are some of the easiest turtles to care for. box turtles for sale

These turtles are generally housed indoors, but with the right shelter, cleaning, and warmer temperatures, they can also do well in an outdoor pond. As they mature, it can be easier to provide them with the space they need outside.Red-eared sliders can grow to a decent size, and their tank will need to be large and have adequate areas for basking. It will need UV lighting and a good water filtration system. These guys are known for being rather messy!

Their size, subsequent dietary needs, and larger housing requirements mean they can be more expensive to look after than some turtles. With the right care, though, they’re generally a hardy and healthy species, and frequently surpass 50 years of age. Like other turtles, it’s best to keep handling to a minimum to avoid stressing them.

Species OverviewCommon Names: Red-eared slider turtle, red-eared slider, red-eared terrapin, red-eared turtle, slider turtle, water slider turtle

Scientific Name: Trachemys scripta elegans

Adult Size: Around 12 inches

Physical Characteristics: Green and yellow markings on skin and shell; red patch behind each eye

Life Span: 20 to 30 years

02of 13African Sideneck Turtle 

African sideneck turtles are unique little aquatic turtles with distinctive long necks that can’t be retracted fully into their shell, and their anatomy differs from traditional water-based turtles.Because of their unique appearance and size, they’re often a popular choice, but they have more complex care requirements than some other turtles.

Their water needs to be kept very clean and requires weekly changing. A good filtration system, however, facilitates less frequent changing. They also need a fresh and varied diet to prevent Vitamin A and D3 deficiencies.Despite their small size, they enjoy swimming and need a large tank, ideally at least 75 gallons. They need suitable basking platforms with UV lights for them to lie under. And the temperature should never drop below 70 F—this is one of the reasons that they’re best kept indoors.Sidenecks can be curious turtles that, if you don’t force interactions, won’t scuttle away to hide when you come to observe them. However, they shouldn’t be handled.

Also, they typically cost $50 to $100 on average.Species Overview

Common Names: African side-neck turtle, African side-necked turtle, African helmeted turtle

Scientific Name: Pelomedusa subrufa

Adult Size: 8 to 12 inches

Physical Characteristics: Dark brown shell; olive to brown skin; black markings on head

Life Span: Can be up to (and sometimes more than) 50 years

03of 13Eastern Box Turtle – box turtles for sale box turtles for sale

Eastern box turtles for sale need a lot of space, but they’re adaptable and, with the right housing, they can live indoors or outdoors. They can cost $50 to $300 on average.  They prefer a humid environment, and need a shallow pool of water in their enclosure and a moist substrate.

Also, they will need a UVB basking light if they’re kept indoors.If their environment is too cold and dry, it can lead to them more easily picking up respiratory infections.These turtles can be shy, but they don’t tend to be aggressive, and with the right gentle interactions and minimal handling, you can start to see their personality come out. They may even be tempted out to greet you if you have a tasty tidbit.Species Overview

Common Names: Eastern box turtle, land turtle box turtles for sale

Scientific Name: Terrapene carolina carolina

Adult Size: 5 to 7 inches

Physical Characteristics: Brown high-domed shell with bright yellow, orange, and red markings

Life Span: 40 to 50 years in captivity with good care (and up to 100 years in the wild)

04of 13Western Painted Turtle 

A Western painted turtle could appeal if you want a turtle that is distinctive and attractive to look at. They have detailed shell markings.Although they aren’t big, these aquatic turtles need a large tank or outdoor space, a good water filtration system, and basking lights to help maintain a warm temperature. Their housing needs are similar to that of the red-eared slider.

Because they like to eat while swimming, selecting food that can be easily lifted out of the water if it isn’t eaten is a good choice to help keep the tank clean for longer.They can be quite shy and aren’t turtles that will enjoy frequent handling. They are also more expensive than some other turtles, with average prices from $100 to $200.Species OverviewCommon Names: Western painted turtle

Scientific Name: Chrysemys picta bellii
Adult Size: Up to 10 inches

Physical Characteristics: Olive to dark brown upper shell; yellow, red, or orange lower shell; yellow, orange, and red stripes on skin

Life Span: Can be up to (and sometimes more than) 50 years

05of 13Mississippi Map Turtle 

Mississippi map turtles for sale have a distinctive dorsal fin running along their shell, and this is why they’re also sometimes referred to as the “sawback”. They don’t need quite as big an enclosure as some of their aquatic turtle relatives, and this can make them an appealing choice for those with space limitations.

While they can live up to 30 years, their lifespan is a bit shorter than average. And they can cost around $30 to over $100, depending on factors like the breeder you purchase from and the turtle’s age.They can be warier of people than some other turtles, and this means they can be more prone to stress.

You’ll need to keep handling to a minimum and create an environment that allows them peace and places to take cover.Map turtles tend to be quite hardy and less prone to health issues than some species. However, potential problems include intestinal parasites, infections, metabolic bone disease, and overgrown beak and nails. Clean water, good lighting, and an appropriate diet are absolutely essential to prevent health issues, fungal infections, and deficiencies.Species Overview

Common Name: Mississippi map turtle

Scientific Name: Graptemys pseudogeographica kohni

Adult Size: Up to 10 inches (females); up to 5 inches (males)

Physical Characteristics: Dark olive to brown upper shell with ridge; yellow lower shell; yellow stripes on head; crescent shaped yellow marks behind eyes box turtles for sale

Life Span: 15 to 25 years, but up to and over 30 years possible

06of 13Common Musk Turtle (Stinkpot)

Common musk turtles are one of the more popular aquatic turtle species. They’re small, and their care requirements are a little less intensive than some.They aren’t turtles that do well with a lot of handling, though. They can be feisty and, if they feel threatened, they release a foul and musky odor.

This is how they got their nickname: “the stinkpot”.They aren’t as strong swimmers as some aquatic turtles, so the water in their enclosure shouldn’t be too deep. They should also have plenty of areas to get out of the water easily to bask under UVB lighting. As with all other species, prices vary based on various factors, but you could find these turtles for sale for under $100.

Species Overview

Common Names: Common musk turtle, Eastern musk turtle, stinkpot

Scientific Name: Sternotherus Odoratus

Adult Size: 3 to 5 inches

Physical Characteristics: Black, gray, or brown shell; yellow stripes from nose to neck; males have spikes on tails

Life Span: Up to and over 50 years

07of 13Spotted Turtle Spotted turtles for sale

If you have limited space and are looking for an aquatic turtle, the spotted turtle is one of the smallest species allowed to be kept in captivity. They’re also pretty to look at, with their distinctive spotted shell, and with the right housing, they can live indoors or out.These turtles can cost $100 or more, and they’re a long-term commitment, with some living to be over 100 years of age!Like musk turtles, they aren’t particularly strong swimmers, so their water should not be too deep.

They also need warm basking platforms and ornaments that provide them with the opportunity to get out to rest.A good varied diet with plenty of meat, along with some leafy greens and fruit, is important too. And, like other turtles, handling should be kept to a minimum with the spotted turtle. box turtles for sale

Species OverviewCommon Names: Spotted turtle, Clemmy, Michigan spotted turtle

Scientific Name: Clemmys Guttata

Adult Size: 4 to 5 inches

Physical Characteristics: Yellow spots on black upper shell; yellow to orange lower shell; dark skin with yellow, pink, and orange markings

Life Span: Can easily live up to 50 years, with some recorded as living over 100 years

08of 13Yellow-Bellied Slider

Yellow-bellied sliders are one of the most popular aquatic turtle species to keep as pets, as they tend to be relatively hardy when they get the right diet, enclosure, and lighting.They need a large tank or suitable outdoor enclosure, as they’re bigger than the likes of the stinkpot or the spotted turtle.Unlike some turtles, they tend to be most active during the day, which appeals to a lot of pet parents looking to observe them.

They get stressed by handling, and bite when they feel threatened, but you might be able to get them used to some handling over time.Because of their popularity, they’re relatively easy to come by. Just make sure you source your yellow-bellied slider from a reputable breeder or supplier. These turtles are affordable, as hatchlings might cost around $20 on average while adults might be up to $100 on average.

Species Overview

Common Names: Yellow-bellied slider

Scientific Name: Trachemys scripta scripta

Adult Size: 5 to 9 inches (males); 8 to 13 inches (females)

Physical Characteristics: Brown or black upper shell with yellow stripes; yellow lower shell with black spots

Life Span: Up to 40 yearsContinue to 9 of 13 below

09of 13Reeve’s Turtle

The Reeve’s turtle for sale is probably one of the most sociable of all the turtles on this list. They typically cost $50 or more on average.With care and patience, they sometimes even enjoy being stroked, which is unusual for an aquatic turtle. Of course, handling can still be stressful for them, so this should only be done when needed.

Their care requirements are similar to the red-eared slider, although they’re smaller and don’t require such a large enclosure.They tend to be a relatively healthy turtle, although they don’t have such a long life expectancy. This may appeal to people who aren’t looking for such a lengthy commitment.

Species OverviewCommon Names: Reeve’s turtle, Chinese pond turtle, Chinese three-keeled pond turtle

Scientific Name: Mauremys reevesii

Adult Size: 6 to 9 inches

Physical Characteristics: Olive, tan, or black upper shell; cream, tan, or yellow lower shell with dark markings; yellow markings on neck and head

Life Span: 10 to 15 years usually, or up to 20 years

10of 13Wood Turtle 

The wood turtle for sale is known for being very friendly with the right handling and interaction, and pretty hardy. Their needs aren’t as complex as most aquatic species. box turtles for sale

They do need a decent-sized enclosure, though, and this means they’re often best suited to being kept in an outdoor environment.Because they aren’t aquatic, they could drown in water that’s too deep, so it’s important to keep their pond area at a suitably low level.

They also need a diet that is high in protein. Suitable foods include insects, slugs, earthworms, snails, and more, along with leafy greens.These turtles aren’t so easy to come by and can be illegal to keep in certain states. You should make sure you do your research and ensure you’re sourcing a wood turtle from a reputable and ethical breeder.

They can cost hundreds of dollars.

Species Overview

Common Names: Wood turtle, old red leg

Scientific Name: Glyptemys insculpta

Adult Size: 5 to 8 inches

Physical Characteristics: Olive green to brown upper shell; yellow or brown lower shell with dark markings; yellow, orange, or red coloration on neck and legs

Life Span: Up to 50 years

11of 13Russian Tortoise 

Also known as the Horsfield’s tortoise, the small Russian tortoise for sale can be housed indoors and outside, and they require time outdoors. Because they like to burrow, ensuring the enclosure is secure is imperative when they’re outside.Their enclosure should have sand/soil substrate, UVA/UVB light, and a basking spot, and it needs to be large enough to give your pet plenty of room. These tortoises also hibernate.To keep your tortoise healthy, feed them a variety of plants that are suitable. Don’t give them animal protein, grains, or fruits.You can interact with this tortoise, and you can get them accustomed to being handled, provided that they don’t get stressed when you hold them. They typically cost around $200.

Species OverviewCommon Names: Russian tortoise, Afghan tortoise, Afghanistan tortoise, steppe tortoise, Central Asian tortoise, four-toed tortoise, Horsfield’s tortoise

Scientific Name: Agrionemys horsfieldii or Testudo horsfieldii (Recently given its own genus as Agrionemys horsfieldii, but still commonly referred to as Testudo horsfieldii)

Adult Size: 4 to 8 inches

Physical Characteristics: Olive to light tan upper shell with dark markings; four toes on front legsLife Span: 50 years 

12of 13Red-Footed Tortoise 

The red-footed tortoise for sale is easy to care for, and is not considered high-maintenance, especially when you set up their enclosure properly to give them everything they need in terms of heating, lighting, humidity, and substrate.These docile tortoises don’t like being handled, and are also known for being shy and hiding. They can bite with their strong mouth. box turtles for sale

They need a large outdoor enclosure that is escape-proof because they like to burrow. When you need to keep them indoors, they require a very large enclosure, so be sure you have the space for them.  These tortoises are expensive, with average prices between $150 and $500. Also, because they can live a long time, they are a long-term commitment.

Species OverviewCommon Names: Red-footed tortoise, redfoot tortoise, redleg tortoise, Savannah tortoise

Scientific Name: Geochelone carbonaria  

Adult Size: 10 to 16 inchesPhysical Characteristics: Black, gray, or brown shell with tan or yellow areas; orange, red, or yellow marks on body and faceLife Span: Up to 50 yearsContinue to 13 of 13 below

13of 13Hermann’s Tortoise 

The Hermann’s tortoise for sale doesn’t get too large as an adult. These tortoises are also docile and rarely bite—however, they don’t like being handled.One thing to keep in mind is that this pet does best when housed outdoors in a secure enclosure. If you don’t live in an area with a climate similar to that of the Mediterranean, this pet may not be right for you. And to prevent your tortoise from hibernating, keep their enclosure at a consistent temperature.Provide your Hermann’s tortoise with a varied diet that includes grasses, leafy greens, and some fruits and vegetables.These tortoises are more expensive than some other pet turtles.

Their cost can range from $150 to $500 on average.

 Species Overview

Common Name: Hermann’s tortoise

Scientific Name: Testudo hermanni

Adult Size: 6 to 8 inches

Physical Characteristics: Brown and yellow shell; thick scales

Life Span: 75 years or more

The post 13 Types of Turtles That Make Great Pets appeared first on Passion Tortoise.

So, to help people that are going through the same thing that I was at that time, I decided to write this article about what are the best pet turtles for a beginner, as choosing the right turtle species from the start can make things a lot easier for you. And I will also go over some turtle species that you might want to avoid.

But first, what makes a turtle species more beginner-friendly than another species? 

What Makes A Turtle Beginner-Friendly

All turtle species are very similar, most of them have the same diet, require more or less the same temperature, and require the same type of tank. The only thing that can make a turtle more beginner-friendly, than other turtles is its size.

Small turtles are great pets for a lot of reasons, here are some of them:

They require less space. As a turtle grows bigger it will require a lot more space in the tank, and this can be a huge problem if you don’t have too much space to spear. But with a small turtle that doesn’t grow, you won’t be facing this problem. Most of the turtle species that I will list will only require a tank that will be 30 or 40 gallons. While other species will require tanks as big as 100 gallons.

The general rule is that a turtle needs 10 gallons of water for every inch of the shell that they’ve got. So the smaller the turtle the smaller the tank.

You don’t have to clean after them as often. Since they are smaller they will also take longer to make the water dirty. This doesn’t mean that you won’t have to change the water at all but you will probably only have to do it once every two weeks, instead of once every week like you would have to do with a regular-sized turtle. Even if it’s not that hard to change the water in the tank it can get dull and unpleasant to do it every week. But with a smaller turtle, you will have to do it less often.

They don’t eat as much food. Since they are smaller they will have to eat less food than other turtles. This doesn’t mean that you have to feed them less often, but instead, you have to give them less food. Over time the quantity of food that they eat will reflect in your budget. Even if turtle food is not very expensive, saving 10 or 20 dollars every month is always a good thing.

They are cheaper to maintain. The food isn’t the only place where you will be saving money, you will also be saving money on electricity bills since they won’t need very powerful heating lamps and UV bulbs, don’t get me wrong they still need them but the area that the lights have to cover will be smaller so they don’t have to be as powerful. And you will also save a lot of money on equipment. Most turtles that grow in size over time will need new tanks to live in and a new water pump that is able to keep up with the turtle. But for those turtles that don’t grow large, you won’t have to change them at all.

They are very cute. Smaller animals are usually cute, and in my opinion, some of the cutest animals in the world are small turtles. You might not be sharing my opinion here, but I think this is one big advantage small turtles have over regular-sized ones.

So let’s see which are those small turtles that make the best pet turtles for beginners.

5 Best Pet Turtles for Beginners

1.Mud Turtles – mud turtles for sale

Size: between 3 – 5 inches.

Appearance: As the name implies they have a grey-brown color very similar to the color of mud, depending on the area from which they are the shades of the color can vary a little. They also have a very spherical shell compared to most turtles that have them more flattened. And of course, they are very small.

Lifespan: up to 50 years.

Where they live: Mud turtles can be found in the United States, more precisely in the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia.

Pet difficulty: Beginner.

Mud turtles are a good first pet turtle, they are relatively easy to maintain, and they don’t require any kind of special treatment. They are also very hardy and are not pretentious when it comes to food. In general, a 40 gallons tank should be enough for a mud turtle.

2. Musk Turtles – musk turtle for sale

Size: between 3 – 4 inches.

Appearance: The color of the common musk turtles tends to be a darker gray, sometimes getting very close to black. On their heads, they have a pair of irregular horizontal yellow stripes that run along the sides.

Lifespan: up to 50 years.

Where they live: There are three species of musk turtles, and each species lives in a different place. The smaller species that we are interested in can be found in southern Canada, as well as the United States and Mexico.

Pet difficulty: Beginner. 

Musk turtles are great turtles for a beginner, they are one of the hardiest species that you can find. Baby musk turtles are a little fragile, but after a few months (around 2), that is no longer a problem. They are not pretentious when it comes to temperature and the fact that they stay small means that you won’t need to get a tank that is too big.

3. Spotted Turtles – spotted turtle for sale

Size: between 3 and 5 inches.

Appearance: Spotted turtles have a very unique appearance among turtles. They are covered with a dark black color and they have small round spots on them that can be various shades of yellow. The spots can be distributed randomly along with the shell, or they can be one per scute.

Lifespan: more than 100 years.

Where they live: Spotted turtles can be found in Canada in Quebec and Ontario, and in the United States in Maine, Florida, Indiana, and Ohio.

Pet difficulty: Beginner.

Unlike most other turtles spotted turtles also enjoy spending a lot of time on land, so they will require a slightly bigger basking area than most turtles, but taking into consideration its size, what other turtles might consider a small basking area, the spotted turtle will consider it big.

4. Diamondback Terrapins – diamondback terrapin for sale

Size: males between 3 and 5 inches, females between 4 and 7 inches.

Appearance: Diamondback terrapins are divided into a lot of subspecies, and each one of them has a different appearance. In general, the shell of diamondback terrapins is wider at the back than in the front, having a shape similar to a wedge if you look at them from above. The color of the shell can vary a lot, but it’s usually brown or gray and all the shades between them. The color of the body can be brown, yellow, gray, or white. All diamondback terrapins subspecies have very interesting patterns on their skin, in the form of black wiggly spots. Diamondback terrapins also have large feet, compared to other turtle species.

Lifespan: up to 30 years.

Where they live: Diamondback terrapins live on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States. From the northern parts of Massachusetts to the southern parts of Florida and around the Gulf Coast to Texas.

Pet difficulty: Medium.

Diamondback terrapins are very good beginner pets, they are very hardy, and they have a typical turtle diet. And in general, they are very easy to maintain. The only problem is that their population is not in the best shape right now and in some places, it can be illegal to own one, so if you are thinking of getting a diamondback terrapin you should first check the local laws. If it’s legal to own one and you are looking for your first pet turtle then you should really consider getting a Diamondback terrapin, they can be great beginner turtles.

If you want to check out your local turtle laws, you should check out this interactive map.

5. Reeve’s Turtles – reeves turtle for sale

Size: males between 4 and 5 inches, females between 6 and 8 inches.

Appearance: Reeve’s turtles are mostly plain-looking but they have a few things that set them apart from the rest of the turtles. The shell has three longitudinal keels and the color ranges from tan to olive-green to black, occasionally with faint contrasting radiation or smudging. Other than the three ridges they have a very plain appearance.

Lifespan: up to 20 years.

Where they live: Reeve’s turtles are also known as Chinese pond turtles, and they are found in Eastern Asia, primarily in China, but also in Korea, Japan, and Taiwan.

Pet difficulty: Medium. Reeve’s turtles are very hardy and they have a simple diet. The only drawback is that even if they are aquatic turtles, they aren’t very good swimmers, so you will have to be careful with the water levels of the tank. In general, you should make sure that the water depth is one and a half the length of the turtle’s shell. So if you have a 4-inch turtle, the water should be 6 inches deep ( 4 x 1.5 ), if the turtle has 2 inches the water should be 3 inches deep ( 2 x 1.5 ).

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