Common Pet Turtle Species – A Guide for Aspiring Turtle Owners

Turtles can make great pets for everyone! They're enjoyable to watch, come in all shapes and sizes, and are usually calm. They're the ultimate chill-type pets. But before you bring one home, you need to consider some things first.

Considerations Before Getting a Pet Turtle

• Turtles Live a Long Time: Many turtles can live for decades, some even longer than you! You need to be ready to care for them for a long time - a very long time, and we're not exaggerating.
• Know the Rules: Make sure it's legal to own the type of turtle you want where you live. Some turtles are protected because they are endangered in the wild.
• Stay Healthy: Turtles can sometimes carry germs (Salmonella) that can make people sick. Always wash your hands after touching your turtle.
• Give Them Space: Turtles need a good home with enough space to swim and move around.
• Special Equipment: You'll need to get things like a tank, a heater, a filter, and special lights to keep your turtle healthy.

Popular Pet Turtles

Here are some of the most common pet turtles:

• Red-Eared Slider: This turtle has a red stripe behind its eye. It needs a big tank with water for swimming and a dry place to bask (warm-up) under a special light. They can be fun to watch and even become friendly, but be careful! If they escape into the wild, they can cause problems for other turtles.
• Painted Turtle: This turtle has a beautiful shell with red and yellow markings. It needs clean water and a place to bask. Painted turtles are usually shy but can get used to you over time.
• Musk Turtle: This small turtle has a dark shell and can release a musky smell if it feels scared. It likes to hide and walk along the bottom of its tank. Make sure its tank has a secure lid because musk turtles are good climbers!
• Map Turtle: This turtle has lines on its shell that look like a map. It needs a big tank with immaculate water. Map turtles are active swimmers and can be a bit shy.
• African Sideneck Turtle: This turtle has a long neck that bends sideways instead of pulling it straight back into its shell. It needs a tank with water and a place to bask. African sideneck turtles are curious and might even learn to recognize you!
• Russian Tortoise: This is a land turtle with a rounded shell. It needs a place to roam and burrow, and it loves to bask under a warm light. You might need to let it hibernate in the winter, which means it will sleep for a few months.

Taking Care of Your Turtle

• A Good Home: Make sure your turtle has a tank or enclosure that is big enough.
• Clean Water: If you have a water turtle, keep its water clean with a filter.
• The Right Stuff: Use the right kind of rocks or sand at the bottom of the tank.
• Warmth and Light: Turtles need special lights to stay healthy and warm.
• Good Food: Feed your turtle various foods, including pellets, vegetables, and sometimes insects or fish.
• Supplements: Your turtle might need extra vitamins and minerals.
• Feeding Schedule: Feed young turtles every day and adults every other day.
• Healthy Turtle: Keep an eye on your turtle to ensure it's healthy. If you think it's sick, take it to a vet for reptiles.
• Clean Home: Keep your turtle's home clean to prevent germs.
• Wash Your Hands: Always wash your hands before and after touching your turtle.

Be a Responsible Turtle Owner

• Know the Laws: Make sure you know the rules about owning a turtle where you live.
• Buy Responsibly: Only buy turtles from breeders who raise them, not from people who take them from the wild. Licensed pet shops should be your first destination, especially if you're new to owning a pet.
• Don't Let Them Go: Never release a pet turtle into the wild. It can harm other animals and spread diseases.

Turtles Make Great Pets!

Choosing the right turtle and taking good care of it can be a rewarding experience. Turtles can live for many years, so be prepared for a long-term commitment. With the proper love and care, your turtle can bring you joy for a long time!