The Best Pet Turtles For Families A Curious Guide For Future Owners

Turtles can make a great family pet for a variety of reasons.These aquatic and semi aquatic critters are fun to look at, and bonding with them can be a great experience. They are also quite long lived, meaning that they will be there for all the important moments.However, there are so many species to choose from! Each species of pet turtle comes with its own needs and requirements, and it can be quite difficult to pick the perfect pet for you. Our handy turtle guide has all you need to know in order to pick your perfect new addition to the family!Read on to find out which turtle is for you. If you enjoyed this article, do check out our olive ridley sea turtle facts and best pet snakes pages as well.What are the best pet turtles for beginners?Though turtles are small creatures and are quite long lived, it is very important to give them proper care and nutrition to make sure they live their best life. Despite their small size, they require large enclosures in order to give them their space and provide them with plenty of exercise. Turtles require an elaborate tank set up which consists of a temperature regulator, humidifier, water filters and UV lights in their basking area. According to different types of turtles, their needs and dietary requirements may differ, so it is important to know exactly what your pet turtle needs. Some turtles are aquatic in nature, whereas others are not strong swimmers, hence their tank environments differ greatly as well.The best pet turtles for beginners are the painted turtle, mud turtle (Mississippi mud turtle, yellow mud turtle and Eastern mud turtle), painted turtle, false map turtle, Mississippi map turtle, Eastern box turtle and razor backed musk turtle. These turtles are all relatively easier to take care of due to their decreased care need, be it with regards to enclosure space, diet or friendliness. The listed turtle species are also easier to obtain as pets, and are rather inexpensive as well.Mud turtles are also very popular in North America due to their easy availability in ponds as well as their small size. Mud turtles are aquatic in natureA typical turtle diet consists of leafy greens, chopped up seafood and protein in the form of meat and insects. To provide your turtle with a bit of fun and exercise, it is advisable to keep a few live insects, fish and frogs on hand so they can chase them around the tank.Name ten best types of turtles that can be good pets?Keeping a turtle as a pet can often turn out to be a lifelong commitment due to their long lifespans. Before choosing to buy or adopt a turtle, it is important to consider their needs as they are quite high maintenance and require a lot of space and time to keep them in top shape. Turtles may grow quite big, meaning that they tend to outgrow their initial enclosures, which may lead to a lot of owners abandoning them due to lack of space. If you want a turtle that remains small for the entirety of its life, then be sure to choose a species of turtle that does so. Their tank upkeep and setup may also prove to be expensive, as they require large tanks with necessities such as wading pools water filtration systems, humidifiers and UV lighting. Before committing to a turtle as a pet, make sure that you are definitely up for the task and if yes, then be ready to make yourself a friend for life!Some of the best turtle species which can be kept as pets are as follows.Red eared slider: the red eared slider turtle is an aquatic turtle, and is considered as one of the best turtles to keep as pets due to their friendly and adaptable nature. They are also quite active and love being held and handled, making it fun to bond and play with them. These turtles really love to swim and spend quite a lot of time in the water. They are readily available and can be acquired easily, however, do be aware that owning these turtles is a long time commitment as they can live up to 60 years of age. They have special needs which have to be taken care of in order for them to be healthy, such as being housed in a 40 gal (151.4 l) tank with UVB lighting in their basking area and being fed a good seafood diet. Releasing these turtles into the wild is not advisable, as they will not be able to survive on their own after adapting to being taken care of.African sideneck turtle: these turtles are a popular choice for pet lovers due to their unique appearance, which involves a long protruding neck which cannot be retracted into their shell. However, they are not the best turtles for beginners as due to their unique anatomy, they have more specific care needs and are a bit high maintenance. They need to be keep very clean, and their tank water needs to be changed quite often, once a week, as they are an aquatic species and spend a lot of time swimming. They need a large tank for them to stay active and a vitamin-rich diet to stay healthy. These curious turtles are easy to interact with, and are long lived - the average African sideneck turtle living up to 50 years.Eastern box turtle: these indoor turtles are in high demand due to their beautiful vivid red shell and eye-catching patterning. Box turtles are quite shy and timid, however with love, care and plenty of tasty snacks they will warm up to their owners in no time. Like other turtles, Eastern box turtles need a large tank with overhead UV lighting in their basking area, and humid tank conditions with a shallow pool for wading, with a warm water temperature. The tank and water temperature for box turtles must be regulated and not be too cold or dry, as they can develop respiratory infections easily. Eastern box turtles can be a great companion, living for up to 40 years.Western painted turtle: these small, beautifully patterned turtles are mostly chosen as pets for their distinctive appearance. Though painted turtles don’t grow to be very big, they still need large, airy tanks or outdoor space with fresh water and lighting for basking. They like to eat while swimming, and must be fed tidbits that can easily be lifted from the water in order to keep the tank water clean incase they don’t finish their food. They are quite shy and may not appreciate being handled much. Painted turtles are a good choice for beginners due to their calm and docile and behavior. Though, painted turtle ownership is legal is some states due to their wild status.Mississippi map turtle: map turtles, can be easily recognized by the dorsal fin running down the back of their shells, earning them the name ‘sawback’. They are a good choice as a pet, as they do not need as much space as other turtle species and have a relatively shorter life span at 30 years - making them a good companion. Though Mississippi map turtles are more adaptable and healthier than other turtles, they can be prone to stress. These wary map turtles are not fond of being handled, and like to be left alone in peace.Common musk turtle (stinkpot): these small, cautious turtles are surprisingly popular as pets. Their small size enables them to live comfortably in smaller enclosures than those of other turtle species, with their care needs being less intensive as well. Their tanks should have shallow water pools only, as they are weak swimmers. They prefer keeping to themselves and can be quite moody, squirting a foul, musty odor if handled against their wish or disgruntled, which is why they have been nicknamed as ‘stinkpot’. Another musk turtle species which makes for a good pet is the razorback Musk turtle. They are small and shy, needing no bigger than a 30 gal (113.6 l) tank.Spotted turtle: another great choice for families with limited enclosure space, these are one of the smallest pet turtles available. However, keeping one of these dainty, spotted turtle pets can be a multi generational commitment - with their lifespans being over 100 years! They are very adaptable and can be kept indoors as well as outdoors., and enjoy basking in the warmth. Like most turtles, they are weak swimmers and must not be let near deep pools or puddles.Yellow-bellied slider: this stunning yellow aquatic turtle species is one of the best pet choices for sea life lovers. They are quite hardy, and stay healthy provided they receive a good diet and tank conditions. Yellow-bellied sliders are also active during the day, unlike most other turtles, giving their owners a chance to spend more time with them. They are very easy to obtain as they are quite common, and have a good long lifespan of around 40 years. Their tank size needs to be bigger due to their slightly large size, and they need good overhead lighting to bask in.Reeve’s turtle: these simple turtles have the shortest lifespan on the list, living up to only 20 years of age. They are also one of the most affectionate species of turtle, and enjoy having their shells stroked and rubbed. However, this must not be done in excess as it could stress them out. Their care requirements are quite simple, and their enclosure size need not be that large. A similar breed to the Reeves turtle is the Chinese pond turtle.Wood turtle: these friendly, indoor turtles make great pets. With the right amount of love and care, they open up to their owners quite easily, and are quite hardy. Wood turtles are not aquatic turtles, and must not be kept near deeper pools as they could wander in and drown. Their diet must be protein-rich and involve a lot of meat. Due to their popularity, they are often forcibly removed from their environment and traded- causing a steep decline in the natural wood turtle population - which has led to keeping them as pets being illegal in some states. This makes them a bit difficult to come by.Why turtles are the best pet you will ever have?If looking for a slow-paced, lifelong companion to enjoy the good moments with, then a turtle is the best choice of pet for you. These small, adorable creatures are attractive, fun to look at and make great conversation starters. Though mostly seen as decorative pets more than active ones, turtles can make good family pets, giving people a chance to bond with them and each other through their care. Though they are slow-moving, they can still be high maintenance, and give kids a great opportunity to learn about responsibility and the fruits of taking care of a long-lived pet. Some turtle species can even be passed down from generation to generation, having lifespans of over 100 years!Happy turtles are very friendly and easy to bond with, and make great companions. It is important to keep an eye on your turtles health and not assume that since they are long lived they will survive with little to none care. They still need our love and guidance to help them reach their maximum life expectancy.How do you know if a turtle is happy?To care for a turtle may be tasking at times, and it is important to observe your turtles behavior to make sure that it is in the best of health. A healthy, happy turtle will show a number of characteristics which prove that you are taking the right steps in caring for it.Healthy turtles will have clear eyes. Unhealthy turtles often have cloudy, weepy eyes with discharge and difficulty breathing.Healthy turtles will promptly eat their food on time, and even ask for treats when they are hungry. If your turtle is leaving its food unfinished or uninterested in eating, then something might be wrong. Turtles must be fed a diet of meat, seafood and leafy greens to keep them healthy.Active turtles love to roam around in their tanks and ‘chase’ insects, fish and other small creatures in order to hunt and eat them. Not engaging in this behavior may mean that they are depressed.Happy pet turtles love to bask under UV lights, and be handled by their owners. This however does depend on the species, shy turtles prefer not to be handled. However if your normally friendly turtle starts withdrawing from your touch, then it is cause for concern.If an aquatic or semi-aquatic turtle is bonded with its owner, it will show its excitement by splashing in its pool. Turtles can learn to recognize their owners, and will be noticeably happy to see them. A healthy turtle also has normal bodily functions, and will pass stool regularly.It is important to make a note of your turtle’s daily routine and behavior and keep an eye in case it changes. Any change in their behavior may point to health problems, stress or depression, in which case a vet must be contacted.Do turtles like when you rub their shell?Like other pets such as cats and dogs, some turtle species surprisingly like being pet. They can feel sensations through their shells, meaning that if you gently rub their shells they will be able to feel it.However, turtles are creatures who like to keep to themselves most of the time and are prone to stress. Each species tolerates a different amount of handling, and species that react poorly such as Painted Turtles, Musk turtles and Map turtles can suffer from stress, which negatively impacts their health.Why musk turtles are the best pet turtle?Musk Turtles such as Razorback musk turtles and musk turtles are popular due to their small size and low maintenance needs, and are considered to be the best pet turtles. They do not require much tank space, and thrive at slightly warm temperatures.Being semi aquatic turtles, they do not need deep pools, shallow puddle sufficing for them to wade in. They also follow a pretty standard diet, feeding on greens, seafood and meat - making them easy to care for. Due to their shyness, they do not have to be handled much and can be considered decorative pets, perfect for families which are busy or need less intensive pets to start with. They also have shorter lifespans than other turtles, the razorback musk turtle living for around 20 years and the common musk for 50.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for Best Pet Turtles: A Curious Fun Fact Guide To Owning Best Pet Turtles then why not take a look at Are Lynx And Bobcat The Same? Must Know Differences Between Wild Cats, or Can Dogs Eat Paprika? List Of Spices That They Can Eat?

Turtles can make a great family pet for a variety of reasons.