Their habitat needs to be cleaned more often than many people realize, although water turtles require less maintenance than box turtle or other varieties. Turtles can be beautiful pets and "are really cool to have," Pauli says. Turtles are hardy and can be wonderful pets, experts say.
Provide lots of space. Turtles enjoy swimming, basking in the sun, and being active. Turtles also grow. Keep in mind that the bigger the tank is, the happier the turtle will be.
The best thing to do if you find a turtle in your yard is to leave it on its own. Most turtles won't stay there longer than a day and will move out of your yard on their own. Even if they stay to lay some eggs, it is not going to harm or hinder you in any way.
Since 1975, however, selling baby turtles that are less than 4 inches long has been illegal in the U.S., because some reptiles—red-eared sliders included—can harbor salmonella on their skin.
Answer: Be sure that your pond has a basking area for the turtle, as well as a fence around the area (so it does not wander away, and so predators cannot get in). Some turtles that can live in an outdoor pond include red eared sliders, painted turtles, map turtles, and snapping turtles.
They make good pets because they can be extremely fun during feeding time! Most species of turtles will learn to associate humans with food, and will even beg for food as dogs do. They will often come to the tank or run to the front of their enclosure when you approach.
Some animal control agencies and humane societies will accept turtles. There's an adoption posting section at Some pet stores will accept unwanted turtles. Most nature centers already have enough animals to care for, and not all nature centers care for turtles properly.
Most turtles are omnivores, which means they eat both meat and plants. Box turtles can eat a wide variety of foods, such as slugs, worms, crickets, apples, tomatoes, cantaloupe and leafy green vegetables. Dandelion leaves are also a good choice for a pet turtle's diet because they are high in vitamin A and calcium.
Do pet turtles get lonely if they don't have a companion? No! The fact is that turtles will be totally fine on their own. They don't need to share a tank with another turtle to be happy and content, and you don't need to worry about turtle loneliness!
In China, turtles are sacred animals who are symbols of longevity, wisdom, and wealth. For practioners of Feng Shui, placing a turtle statue near the front door protects your home from negative energy. In addition, placing a turtle behind your back in your office will help you to be more successful.
It's no secret that turtles are known to live longer lives than many other pets. Some species of tortoises
can live 100 years or more.
How Long Do Turtles Live?
| Typical Lifespans of Popular Pet Turtles in Captivity |
|---|
| Wood Turtle | 40 to 55 years |
| Eastern Box Turtle | 50+ years |
| Painted Turtle | 25 to 30 years |
| Russian Tortoise | 40+ years |
A pet turtle can be a great first-time pet for a child in the right circumstances. They are generally low-maintenance (after initial setup), can be quite exciting for a child to play with, and caring for one can be a very educational experience. Turtles are also relatively intelligent.
Though their shells provide very effective protection, most turtles will bite to protect themselves if necessary. This is especially prevalent among wild turtles, but pet turtles may bite as well. While this is a relatively minor concern for owners of small turtles, bites from large turtles can cause severe damage.
