Getting a pet turtle can be a rewarding experience, but it’s important to be well-prepared to provide the best care for your new reptile friend. Here are 10 helpful things to know before getting a pet turtle:
1. Selling Turtles Less Than 4 Inches Long Is Illegal
A lesser-known but significant law, often called the “4-inch law,” makes selling or distributing turtles with a shell length of less than 4 inches is illegal. This regulation was implemented primarily for public health reasons, specifically to reduce the risk of Salmonella infections, which are more common in smaller turtles.
However, there are exceptions to this rule, such as for educational or scientific purposes, where small turtles can be sold or distributed legally. But for the general public looking to keep a turtle as a pet, this law effectively limits the pet trade to 4 inches or larger in shell length turtles.
2. Turtles Live For 30 To 50 Years Or More
It’s not uncommon for turtles, depending on their species, to live for 30 to 50 years, and in some cases, even longer. For example, the red-eared slider, a popular pet turtle species, can live up to 30 years or more under optimal care conditions. Some tortoise species can surpass the century mark, living well beyond 100 years.
3. Not All Turtles Swim
Turtles are broadly categorized into three main types based on their habitats: aquatic (living in water), semi-aquatic (living in both water and land), and terrestrial (living on land). Like the red-eared slider, aquatic turtles spend most of their lives in the water but come onto land for basking.
Like the box turtle, Semi-aquatic turtles split their time between water and land more evenly. Then there are terrestrial turtles, also known as tortoises, which spend most of their lives on dry land.
4. Female Turtles Will Lay Eggs Without Males
A surprising aspect of turtle care that potential owners should be aware of is that female turtles can, and often will, lay eggs even without a male turtle. This phenomenon can be puzzling and unexpected for turtle owners who have never had a male turtle and suddenly find their female pet laying eggs.
This reproductive behavior is not unique to turtles and occurs in several reptile species. The eggs laid in the absence of a male are infertile and will not hatch into baby turtles. However, laying eggs, known as oviposition, is a natural part of a female turtle’s biology and can occur annually once they reach sexual maturity.
5. Turtle Sizes Will Vary Depending On Species
Some species, like the popular pet, the musk turtle, remain relatively small, growing to about 4 to 5 inches in shell length. On the other hand, species such as the African spurred tortoise can reach shell lengths of 2 to 3 feet, making them one of the largest turtle species kept as pets.
6. Most Turtles Have Different Diets
Young turtles of many species tend to be more carnivorous, requiring a diet with a lot of protein. This can include live food like worms, snails, small fish, and commercial turtle pellets formulated to meet their nutritional needs.
Many commonly kept pet turtles, such as red-eared sliders and painted turtles, are omnivores. These turtles require a balanced diet that includes both plant-based and animal-based foods.
7. Some Turtle Species Are More Social Than Others
Many turtle species are naturally solitary and do not necessarily require the company of other turtles to thrive. Housing them together can sometimes lead to stress, resource competition, or aggressive behavior, especially in confined spaces.
On the other hand, some species, such as certain types of box turtles and sliders, can exhibit social tendencies, especially when kept in spacious environments that allow for natural behaviors. These turtles might bask together, follow each other around, or engage in other forms of social interaction.
8. You Can Tell Their Gender Apart
In some species, the shape of the bottom shell, or plastron, can indicate gender. Males may have a concave plastron to accommodate mounting a female during mating, while females usually have a flat or slightly convex plastron.
Male turtles often have longer and thicker tails than females. This is because the male’s reproductive organs are housed within the base of the tail, necessitating a larger size. The cloacal opening near the tail’s base is also further from the body in males than in females.
In many turtle species, females grow larger than males, particularly in species where males and females have significant size differences at maturity.
9. They Will Make Your Aquarium Dirty Fast
Unlike many fish that produce relatively little waste, turtles eat a lot and produce a significant amount of feces. Also, uneaten food can contribute to the mess if not promptly removed.
The waste produced by turtles can quickly degrade the water quality in the tank, leading to cloudy water, unpleasant odors, and the buildup of harmful ammonia and nitrites. It’s often recommended to use a filter rated for at least 2-3 times the volume of your tank to keep up with the waste production.
10. Most Turtle Species Brumate
Brumation is a natural process for many turtle species, akin to hibernation in mammals. During cooler months, turtles become less active and slow down their metabolism. Even in captivity, turtles may exhibit brumation behavior, which is important to recognize and accommodate to ensure their health and well-being.
During brumation, turtles often eat less or stop eating altogether, become less active or seemingly lethargic, and may burrow into the substrate or hide more frequently. This period of reduced activity can last from a few weeks to several months, depending on the species and the environmental conditions.
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