Turtles, and tortoises can be really great pets. The first thing you want to consider when deciding what turtle to buy, is if you want an aquatic turtle, or a land based one. Land tortoises are much easier to care for than aquatic ones, but are generally less active. Aquatic tortoises require a water-based cage, and the cages require much more care, and equipment.
Aquatic Turtles are a life long commitment. You will spend hundreds of dollars if they live a long time, some can last longer than 40 years!
Box Turtles are much easier to take care of, but still last a long time, like aquatic turtles.
Remember that you should have 10 gallons of tank for every inch of turtle.
You need a heater set at 80 degrees. If water is cold they will stop eating!
Sliders, westerns, cooters , midland, painted turtles, map, yellow bellied all are basically the same kind of turtle, and require the same basic care.
They NEED calcium and protein they get it from the fish meat and the fish bones. Drop 20 or 30 or so feeder guppies or small goldfish (or minnows they maybe a bit fast for babies) at first just drop in the tank and watch them disappear in a few days! The more they eat the healthier the turtle.
Most turtles to bask under a reptile light UVA/UVB for up to 8 hrs a day for the vitamin D that they need to grow. They need a turtle basking dock and gravel larger than they can swallow. Their water needs to be clean otherwise they get sick easily from dirty water cause they poop allot. You need a GREAT filter system depending on the tank. In a 60-gallon tank I had, I used two double-sided marine or penguin filter. It really helped keep it cleaner!
Turtles can, and will bite very hard. Turtles less than four inches carry a disease called ‘salmonella’. This is a dangerous, mostly to children and older adults, so you must wash after every handling ANY size turtle. All ages and all sizes get along as long as there is allot for swim room and plenty to eat!
Size for basic aquatic turtle is approximately as follows:
Body length: 5-8″ is average for males, up to 12 inches max for females, but average is about 9 to 10″ in captivity. Life span: 15-25+ years plus.
Some sicknesses they get easily are shell rotting, which are very dangerous to the turtles. Respiratory sickness, lopsided swimming, coughing, vomiting, and blowing bubbles from their nose are common as well. Fungus shaped in white cotton patches on their skin are easily treated by adding a 1/4 of a cup of aquarium salt per 5 gallons to irritate and hopefully kill fungus. The addition of sulfa drugs such as those sold at pet stores under the name “Dr. Turtle”, and I would recommend speaking to a breeder about specific things to look out for in your type of turtle!
Here are the best turtles to keep as pets:
5.) Red Eared Slider
This is a breed of the painted turtle, and is one of the most common aquatic pets. Refer to all the guidelines I wrote about in keeping aquatic turtles! Remember the dangers of salmonella and the necessity of filters and large tanks! They are very beautiful pets.
4.) Eastern Box Turtle
With the same care as the three-toed, this turtle is much more colorful, with really great patterns. I recommend this as a pet that is beautiful, and easy to care of. Box turtles always are easier than aquatic ones!
3.) Three-Toed Box Turtle
These are quite similar to the Russian, but a little less robust in the shell. Their numbers are unfortunately dwindling in the wild, though, so I would recommend not taking them from their natural habitats, and instead getting one from a pet store and TAKE CARE OF THEM. Many die as a result of poor care, and these guys are really not hard to take care of. Mostly a leafy green diet, fresh water, lots of time out of their cage, will keep them healthy. Remember to use a warming light, as well. Here is a great guide on how to take care of these box turtles: http://www.turtlepuddle.org/american/boxcare.html
2.) Painted Turtle
This is a beautiful and very common aquatic-land turtle, easily found by many ponds across the world. They do require more care than land based tortoises, but can be very interesting pets. Refer to my aquatic turtle tips, and remember that although turtles have a reputation for being “slow”, most aquatics are fairly agile and quick, and can bite your easily!
1.) Russian Tortoise
These are probably the most easily cared for breed of tortoises. They are easily handled, and are very docile and simple. They require a UV hot spot, and generally eat small amounts of greens at a time, such as turnips, dandelions, lettuce, and spinach. I would recommend a 20-gallon tank, and always providing it with fresh water. They are fairly cheap, but are also easily found. You can always read more about this fascinating breed here: http://www.allturtles.com/turtle-newbie/turtle-faqs/
Now make sure you really want the commitment of a turtle, these can last a long time, and require attention and care to keep healthy!
