We have done all that hard work for you. So, if you don’t know your wood turtle from your red-eared slider this is where you need to start!

12 Best Pet Turtles To Keep As Pets

1. Box Turtles

The box turtles are an aquatic turtle species that are commonly found in pet stores. You will often see them called terrapins and their scientific name is Terrapene. Box turtles have a unique appearance – their feet are not completely webbed and their shell is a high dome shape. They are called box turtles because they can withdraw their head and legs completely into their shell – like a box.

Another distinctive feature is their hinged belly that can close very tightly. There are several types of box turtle including the eastern box turtle and the ornate box turtle. They are predominantly land-living but need a humid environment to stay healthy and happy. Feed them an omnivorous diet of vegetables, insects, worms, and fruits as well as commercial food pellets. They can be kept in an outdoor pond but only in warmer climates.

Top tip: Box turtles poop in their water bowls so make sure you clean it out every day

2. Wood Turtles

Wood turtles look as if their shell is made out of wood. They are lovely dark brown and tan turtles with yellow and red legs. The most common subspecies is the ornate wood turtle. The scientific name for wood turtles is Glyptemys insculpta but you may also see them called Old Red Legs.

Males are larger than females and these turtles can live outside as long as there is plenty of shade. They will hibernate during the winter season. This pet turtle likes to eat commercial food pellets and vegetables but prefers a meat-rich diet so add in some insects, krill, worms, and live fish.

Top Tip: The wood turtle can drown in water tubs that are too deep.

3. Red-eared Slider

The red-eared slider turtle is also called the slider, the water slider or even the red-eared terrapin. Their scientific name is Trachemys Scripta elegans. Red-eared sliders got their name from the small red patch behind each eye. They are available all over the world and are one of the most common pet turtles in the US.

Red-eared sliders are an aquatic turtle species and strong swimmers – in the wild they live in ponds and marshes and even hibernate underwater. You can feed your red-eared turtle commercial food supplemented with green vegetables and fruit as well as insects, krill, worms, and live fish.

Top tip: Red eared sliders need an area of water that is twice their length

4. Mississippi Map Turtles

The Mississippi map turtle’s scientific name is Graptemys pseudogeographica kohni and they are called map turtles after the markings on their shell that look like a map. They make cute pets but can be nervous around humans. You will also see them called sawback turtles because they have a structure that looks like a saw on the top of their shell.

You should only ever get Mississippi map turtles from trusted breeders and they have very particular care requirements in a large aquarium. They are not the best choice for first-time turtle owners. Map turtles like to eat commercial food as well as spinach, dandelion leaves, lettuce, and parsley.

Top tip: Mississippi map turtles prefer flowing water and it must be very clean

5. Western Painted Turtles

As the name suggests, the marking of the western painted turtle looks as if it has been painted on in bright yellows, greens, and reds. Their scientific name is Chrysemys picta. Western painted turtles are a common pet turtle species as they do not need a very large aquarium. As the Western painted turtle spends most of its time swimming, it will need plenty of water as well as a basking area. Your painted turtle will be happy eating commercial turtle food supplemented by feeder fish, chopped cooked chicken, and green vegetables.

Top tip: Painted turtles need access to full-spectrum lighting for at least 10 to 12 hours a day

6. Common Musk Turtle

The common musk turtle is affectionately known as the stinkpot by turtle experts! This is because they release an unpleasant musky odor when they feel threatened. You can also get a nasty nip from them if they are not happy. Their scientific name is Sternotherus Odoratus and they are small turtles – they grow to just 5 inches.

The common musk turtle is a very popular pet but a lot of people underestimate how much work it takes to care for them. Musk turtles need a large and fully equipped aquarium and regular maintenance. Their diet should be mainly carnivorous – they like fish, insects and earthworms. Commercial pellets are also a good idea. You can try them with some green leafy vegetables but they are not always that keen on them!

Top tip: Common musk turtles do not like to be handled and can carry salmonella bacteria that are harmful to humans. The best approach is to just look at them.

7. African Sideneck Turtle

You may see African side neck turtles called African mud turtles or African aquatic sideneck turtles and their scientific name is Pelusios castaneus. They are originally from southern and eastern Africa but people all over the US are increasingly choosing them as great pets as they are quite active during the daytime. They are not an endangered species so there are no ethical issues in choosing them from a pet store.

They are called sideneck turtles because they cannot withdraw their head completely into their shell. Instead, they fold their head to the side and below their shell. In terms of appearance, they have a dark grey belly, a brown or olive head, and feet that are not completely webbed. They like to eat commercial food, insects and worms, and dandelions.

Top tip: The African sideneck turtle looks as if he is smiling at you – he isn’t! It’s just the markings around his mouth.

8. Caspian Pond Turtle

These aquatic turtles originated in the middle east and are easy to distinguish from other turtles by their olive or tan color with cream or yellow color markings that are clear on the shell, legs, and head.

Their scientific name is Mauremys rivulata and they have a smooth, oval shell. When they are young they are primarily carnivorous so these turtles require insects, krill, worms, and live fish. When they get older, you can feed them commercial food supplemented with insects, worms, and leafy vegetables.

Top tip: It is worth spending time engaging with your Caspian pond turtle because they will learn to recognize you!

9. Reeve’s Turtle

The Reeve’s turtle’s scientific name is Mauremys reevesii and you will often see them called a Chinese pond turtle or even a Chinese Three-keeled Pond Turtle. Reeve’s turtles make a great pet turtle and are frequently imported all over the US from China and Japan. Whilst many aquatic turtles can be quite unfriendly, your Reeve’s turtle will love to be handled and stroked. Because they don’t need huge tanks and are fairly easy to look after they are a good option for first-time turtle parents. They are happy on a diet of commercial food supplemented by krill, worms and green leafy vegetables.

Top tip: The Reeve’s turtle is not a great swimmer! Do not let them near water that is more than a couple of inches deep.

10. Spotted Turtle

Spotted turtles are mini turtles that have lots of unusual features that make them very interesting. They are turtles that stay small and therefore take up much less room than some of the larger species. The spotted turtle is semi-aquatic and likes to spend time both in the water and on land. However, they are not great swimmers so make sure that the water is not too deep.

As you would expect, the spotted turtle has spots! These are found on the shell and on the head as well as on the neck and legs. Their scientific name is Clemmys Guttata. They enjoy a varied diet of shrimps, worms, and insects together with leafy green vegetables. Commercial turtle pellets will provide Vitamin D3 and calcium.

Top tip: Don’t worry if your pet turtle has only a few spots. Spotted turtles start off with just a few spots but develop more as they get older.

11. Razorback Musk Turtle

As a truly aquatic turtle, the razorback musk turtle-like to spend most of their time in the water but also need to spend time on land to bask. They should be distinguished from the other musk turtles which are the loggerhead musk turtle, the common musk turtle, and the flattened musk turtle. These are turtles that stay small so they make great pets. The razorback musk turtle’s scientific name is Sternotherus carinatus.

These turtles have a large head, a long neck and a sharp beak. Their shell has a keel (ridge) that runs the length of the shell and their legs are short. You can feed them commercial food with additional protein pellets as well as worms and crickets.

Top tip: These aquatic turtles need to be able to completely submerge and swim and like to walk along the bottom of the aquarium.

12. Yellow-bellied Sliders

Yellow-bellied sliders or yellow-bellied terrapins as they are sometimes called are very popular aquatic turtle species. Their scientific name is Trachemys scripta scripta and they are an aquatic species.

The yellow-bellied slider is diurnal which means that they are most active during the day when their human companions are also awake! However, they don’t like being handled and have unique personalities which make them engaging if not affectionate pets. Your yellow-bellied slider turtle will love to eat dark, leafy greens like dandelion and will also enjoy chopped apple pieces. They also can eat the occasional insect or fish but should not be fed high protein meats.

Top tip: Feed them outside their tank – it makes cleaning up after them a lot easier

Different Types of Turtles at a Glance

Here is a useful summary of turtle types and essential facts about the different types of pet turtles.

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About The Red-Eared Slider

The Red-Eared Slider is a semiaquatic turtle that belongs to the Emydidae family. This set of turtles carry a more common name: Terrapins. They are almost entirely based in the Western Hemisphere. Just two species of turtle in this family tree are based in the East.

Red-Eared Sliders are the most popular pet turtle to own in the U.S., despite the restrictions that prohibit people from owning turtles that are smaller than four inches. This particular species is also categorized as invasive, which led to it being one of the most commonly traded species of turtle across the world’s pet trade.

If you’re wondering how invasive a species of turtle can truly be, Red-Eared Sliders are on the top 100 list for the world’s most invasive species, which is published by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.

Alternative names:

• Slider Turtle
• Water Slider Turtle
• Red-Eared Turtle
• Red-Eared Terrapin
• Red-Eared Slider Turtle
• Trachemys Scripta Elegans

Did you know that the Red-Eared Slider gets its name from a tiny red stripe around the area where its ears would be? The second part of their name comes from their capability to quickly slide off of rocks and into nearby water.

Red-Eared Slider Size

The average length of a Red-Eared Slider’s shell is 6 to 8 inches, which is what helps them bypass the American regulation that controls their sale and distribution. Some Red-Eared Sliders have been known to have a carapace length of up to 16 inches, and it’s not unusual for the females of the species to grow to the size of a dinner plate. Pet owners often associate terrapins with the image of a tiny turtle, but your Red-Eared terrapin may very well grow bigger than you expect.

Red-Eared Slider Appearance

Adult Red-Eared Sliders can be identified by their dark brown or olive-colored top shell that will have a yellow pattern on the belly of the shell. You should also be on the lookout for the prominent red or maroon stripe around where the turtle would have its ears; this is a huge giveaway for the Red-Eared Slider breed.

Sliders have strong beaks that look jagged up-close, and their bodies are often covered in a variety of long, pale yellow markings. The female of the species is larger than the male, with a stubby length of tail and shorter claws.

Red-Eared Slider Behavior

Mating for this subspecies happens between March and June each year after the individual adult turtles have reached their sexual maturity. For males, that happens between 2 to 3 years old, while females mature between 5 and 7 years old. A clutch of Slider eggs can contain anywhere from 5 to 20 eggs per clutch, and female Sliders can lay up to three clutches during each mating season.

Newly hatched Sliders dig their own way out of the nest that their mother secured them in. The small hatchling reptiles will then be challenged to immediately find food and water to survive. Unfortunately, many babies do not make it.

Sliders are reptiles that we associate with the wild and the sea. We often picture them diving deep into the ocean or walking slowly across the shore. A Red-Eared Slider who is kept in housing as a pet may exhibit a lot of behavior that the typical pet-owning household isn’t used to.

Expect these reptiles to bask in the warmth and light of their tank, slide from rocks into the water to go for a swim, and just sit still for long periods of time. None of these behaviors are abnormal for pet turtles.

Concerning Behaviors

If your pet Sliders are refusing to bask outside of the water in their tank or they are fluttering their claws, then their well-being may be at risk. Though Sliders usually flutter their claws during mating, they also do it to establish dominance and will perform the same movements in a show of territorial behavior. Attached to that same movement may come the turtle’s need to snap at you.

These are all signs that your Slider is uncomfortable or frustrated about something that has changed in their habitat.

Red-Eared Slider Habitat

The Slider turtle is native to Southern America and the north of Mexico. They would have first appeared around the Gulf of Mexico and the Mississippi River, as well as other warm southern climates in the United States. Expect to also find a lot of these subspecies in these areas:

• New Mexico
• South Carolina
• Virginia
• Florida
• Kentucky
• The Virgin Islands

The habitat of a wild Slider consists of wetlands, rivers, and other freshwater locations. They enjoy calm water and will use rocks or logs to bask in the sun.

Indoor Habitats

Terrariums are the best indoor housing for Red-Eared Sliders because you can control the size, the water quality, and personalize the tank to meet the needs of any animals that you house in one. Water changes in a terrarium are also something that you have control over and can correct when they occur. Red-Eared Sliders prefer water to be around 72 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit.

For a single Red-Eared Slider, consider buying a tank that can hold at least 50 gallons of water. This is the bare minimum that you should give your new friend. They’ll use the water to swim around, bask, and get in some exercise. Once you find a big enough tank, you’ll need a good heat lamp and a basking platform next to that lamp so that they have a basking site.

What do Red-Eared Sliders Turtles Eat?

Turtle pellets are the perfect staple food for the Red-Eared Slider diet and they are readily available in pet stores. This subspecies of turtle enjoys aquatic plants (such as water lettuce), leafy vegetables, squash, and carrots in their diet.

You can also feed them freeze-dried krill as an occasional part of their diet – a treat, not a regular feeding. Other treats can include earthworms and comet goldfish. The diet of a Red-Eared Slider is simple and inexpensive.

Red-Eared Slider Care

Red-Eared Sliders have a life expectancy that is anywhere from 20 to 30 years. Healthy Red-Eared Sliders may be blessed with slightly longer life and the occasional individual turtle of this breed has lived more than 40 years.

Keep their tank clean, check the water temperature often, and feed them vegetables no more than three times a week (alongside their other food). Make sure your cold-blooded Slider has room to bask in the warmth of their lamp so they can regulate their body temperature.

Take special care of your Slider in the winter months because abrupt water temperature changes can kill any species of turtle. We recommend a temperature monitor to help with this – you can buy easy-to-read ones that stick to the outside of a tank.

Common Health Problems

When you buy a Slider from a pet store, there’s no guarantee that your new turtle friend is going to be completely healthy. Only purchase or adopt terrapins from a reputable store or licensed individual and be sure to get as much information as you can before you buy.

Red-Eared Sliders do have a handful of common health problems that may occur over their lifetime. These include:

• Eye infections
• Intestinal parasites
• Metabolic bone disease
• Respiratory infections
• Salmonellosis
• Shell rot
• Vitamin A deficiency

FAQs:

Q: Why are turtles under 4 inches banned in the U.S.?

A: The law banning the sale and possession of these small creatures was created because turtles with shells under 4 inches long are likely to carry salmonella on their skin. The law was passed to protect people from this.

Q: Do Red-Eared Sliders bite?

A: They can and they will if they feel threatened. Red-Eared Slider bites can hurt quite a bit, too, so it’s best to avoid mishandling them or hurting them. Do your research, handle them with care, and know that these little critters won’t just bite you because they can. They only bite when provoked or hurt.

Q: Should I buy a terrapin or pet turtle?

A: As long as you treat them right and you have the correct amount of space for their habitat, owning a pet turtle or terrapin can be a great addition to your home, and a wonderful way to teach a child responsibility.

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1. Corn Snake

Corn snakes are a local North American snake that are calm and come in a variety of colors. They are very common and popular, so are easily available and easy to breed. This makes them relatively inexpensive at $25 to $40. The Pantherophis guttata, as it is also known, do not grow to difficult sizes, and can often be kept in a 20-gallon enclosure for their whole lives. Their average length is between 4 to 5 feet, although it is worth noting that a 5 foot snake may need a bigger enclosure. All you need for a corn snake’s environment is:

• A 20 gallon enclosure with a screened top
• A tank heat pad under the enclosure
• A ceramic water bowl
• A couple of hiding spots, such as a paper towel roll
• Bedding, like aspen substrate

You don’t need to provide them with special lighting, and feeding is fairly standard using frozen or thawed rat pups or mice. It can be helpful to take them out of their enclosure to feed them. Prepare to take responsibility for your corn snake for many years. While they usually live to around 8 years in the wild, they have been known to survive into the 20s in captivity.

2. California Kingsnake

If you are looking for a more dangerous and exciting snake that is still manageable for beginners, the California Kingsnake is a great option. As the name suggests, they are native to Southern California, where they hunt for a huge variety of meals from other snakes and lizards to bird eggs and birds. It is worth highlighting that these snakes can be nippy and may bite you if you do not spend enough time with them. Handle them often and this should not be a problem.

You can buy this snake, also known as a Lampropeltis getula californiae, for approximately $50. They generally grow to 3 to 4 feet in length, which means that you need to provide your California kingsnake with:

• A 20-gallon enclosure with a screened top
• A couple of hiding spots
• Bedding
• An under tank heater to help them regulate their temperature and digestion
• A water bowl that they can drink from, soak in, and that they won’t knock over

You won’t need to invest in special lighting. Feeding needs to develop as your snake grows older and bigger. A hatchling needs pinky mice that are smaller than their girth, and you need to get larger and larger mice until they are consuming adult mice.

3. Rosy Boa

As the name suggests, the rosy boa is a very pretty snake with an almost pastel color pallet. Although they aren’t as popular as the corn snake and the California kingsnake, they are a very affordable option at $30 to $40. However, if you are interested in the lichanura trivirgata, you might not be able to find them at all pet stores due to their relative lack of popularity. You may need to try your luck at reptile shows or the internet. You must be prepared for a commitment when you get a rosy boa as they have been known to live up to 25 years.

At 2 to 3 feet, the rosy boa is a very manageable size. Therefore, if you have a rosy boa, you need to have:

• A 20-gallon enclosure for an adult, but you can start with a shoebox for a hatchling
• Newspaper, paper towels or aspen substrate for bedding
• A heat source, such as an under tank heating pad.
• A water bowl
• Fun hiding spots

As with the other easy-to-manage snakes, there is no need to provide special lighting and you should feed them mice that is appropriate for their size. This feeding should rise and fall with the seasons, as a snake’s natural hibernation cycle makes them need less food in winter and more in spring. On average, your rosy boa needs a mouse up to four times a month, lowering to twice a month in the coldest months.

4. Gopher Snake

The pituophis spp, which is more commonly known as the gopher snake, is another relatively uncommon snake. However, it can be easier to find a gopher snake for sale than a rosy boa and their prices are similarly reasonable at $50 at pet shops. It is possible to find even more affordable gopher snakes at reptile shows. If you own a gopher snake, prepare to care for them for as much as 15 years.

Gopher snakes can grow up to six feet so, as one of the larger snakes on the list, the environment you need to offer your gopher snake includes:

• A 20-gallon enclosure when a hatchling, moving to a 30-gallon enclosure as an adult
• Two to three inches of bedding to allow them to burrow
• A heat source on one side of the enclosure to allow them to thermoregulate
• Water bowl that is large enough for them to soak in
• Fun hiding spots

As always, special lighting in unnecessary and you can offer them frozen or thawed mice to eat that are an appropriate size for their stage of development.

Related Post: Why Do Snakes Yawn?

5. Ball Python

The ball python is a little bit more of a challenge than the other beginner snakes on this list. If you have had reptiles or exotic pets in the past or are an experienced pet owner, you may want to start with a snake that requires a little more attention, without being too overwhelming. Their specific requirements centre around their difficult eating patterns.

Ball pythons have been known to stop eating, leading to many worried owners want to know ‘why my ball python won’t eat’. Most of the time, this is nothing to worry about. Ball pythons might stop eating for a few months, but if they have no symptoms of illness, their weight remains the same and there are no other changes in their behavior, then they are completely fine.

Other than these feeding challenges, ball pythons are similar to the other snakes on this list. They may be the cheapest at $30, and possibly the smallest as male pythons do not usually exceed 3 feet. Females can reach 5 feet. Their price can vary wildly, however, as some colors and patterns are rare, but beware of overpriced ball pythons. You can usually haggle at reptile shows, so prices may be inflated to reflect this.

If you go for a ball python, you must be aware that they can live to 30 or even 40 years. They also have a particular personality trait of shyness, so caring for a ball python over these decades means you should provide them with:

• A hide box, and other hiding spots.
• A 30-gallon enclosure without a screen top. The size is needed to ensure the hide box will fit while providing your snake with enough space to move, and the screen-top can allow humidity to escape, which is needed for a ball python to shed properly.
• A sturdy water bowl that they can soak in
• A heat pad or hot spot on one end of the enclosure
• Newspaper or paper towel bedding

As always, supplemental lighting is unnecessary, and you feed ball pythons prey items, such as mice, that are appropriate for their size.

Check out our article on: Rough Green Snake: Complete Care Guide and Introduction

Getting Your First Snake

Finding your first snake is not just about getting the right breed, although that is very important. There are also other considerations that you must make before you make the commitment to your newest addition to the family.

1. Understand the risks. Snakes might not only bite, but can carry salmonella. This is easy to manage, however, by washing your hands thoroughly every time you handle your snake.
2. Understand snakes. Snakes are solitary animals who like the quiet and need consistency and routine. This means they shouldn’t share habitats and you shouldn’t badger them or handle them excessively. They do, however, like playing and some socializing, so should be handled for about five minutes a day.
3. Provide the right environment. Snakes do not manage their temperature in the same way that humans do, so they will need a warm are and a colder area of their environment using a heat lamp or pad, complete with two thermometers and a humidity gauge. They also need hiding spaces, bedding, and water for both drinking and bathing. Artificial plants can also be a fun addition.
4. Feed them correctly. You must be prepared to feed them raw meat like mice and rats, so if you are squeamish, this pet is not for you.
5. Keep them clean. Spot cleaning for droppings is very necessary to keep their day-to-day lives hygienic, but you must also do a regular bedding change and deep clean of their enclosure.

Related Post: Best Snake Bedding

Sources:

1. Mark Mancini, Corn Snakes Are Perfect Pets For Reptile Enthusiasts, HowStuffWorks
2. Getting a Pet Snake, WebMD
3. Laurie Hess, DVM, Owning a Pet Snake, VCA Hospitals

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