Turtles are good pets, but certainly not for everyone. You need to do your homework before you decide to bring one home. Are you willing to take care of your pet turtle for years to come? They have the longest documented lifespan among reptiles, you know!
My goal in this article is to give you all the information you need to decide whether turtles are good pets and most importantly, right for you. I will cover the following;
- Why are turtles good pets
- Cons of having a pet turtle
- Types of turtles that make good pets
- Are turtles good for kids?
- Other considerations to make before getting a pet turtle
Are Turtles Good Pets?
Turtles are docile, beautiful and quiet animals. They can make good pets with the right diet, environment, and a commitment to specialized care.
Here are 10 reasons that make turtles good pets
1. Beautiful, docile and calm
Turtles are interesting pets to keep. They come in different colors and species. Depending on your choice, you can pick the species that is suitable for you.
Turtles are fun to watch as they eat, slide their heads in and out, and bask in the sun.
They are calm, quiet, and do not like to be bothered.
2. Turtles are not picky eaters
Most aquatic turtle species are omnivorous. This means they enjoy vegetables as well as worms. Turtles are not picky eaters. Anything you throw at them they will eat!
3. Require minimal attention
Turtles are quiet creatures that do not need constant attention. Unlike other pets, turtles are very reserved. They just need enough food and sunlight and … that’s it!
You will stress them out if you keep checking on them. Once in a while ensure they have enough food, clean water and then leave them alone.
4. They have versatile housing requirements
Turtles have versatile housing requirements. This majorly depends on the species. For small aquatic turtles, they need 20 gallons at least with a proper filtration system.
As they keep growing, you will need to increase the size of their water tanks.
5. Turtles are intelligent
Do not underestimate turtles as they can learn to respond when called. They especially love to come to their owners if they have food. Just like dogs love treats from their owners so do turtles.
6. Long-term companion
Turtles are a life long commitment. This means they make long-term companions.
They have very long lifespans meaning they can even outlive you! If you want a pet that can live long with few health complications then a turtle is a perfect fit.
Want to know more? Here it from an experienced turtle pet owner on why turtles make great pets!
Lastly, by keeping turtles as pets, you are helping preserve their species. Many turtle species are becoming extinct.
Why Having a Pet Turtle Is a Bad Idea
Whilst turtles can make good pets, they are not for everyone. Here are the disadvantages of keeping turtles as pets;
1. Turtles carry Salmonella
Pet turtles usually carry Salmonella. There have been many cases of pet-related salmonellosis reported over the years. [1]
Selling small turtles (less than 4 inches long) was banned to prevent the spread of this infection. Young children love touching and kissing pet turtles, and this is extremely dangerous as they are easily exposed to pathogens.
Turtles are not suitable for households with children under the age of 5, sick people, or people with weak immune systems.
2. Messy eaters
Turtles are messy eaters. They tend to rip and tear. Remember that most turtles are exotic. They are used to fighting for food in the wild. This means pet turtles make a mess of the food you give them.
They also create so much waste. You need to frequently clean the tanks of your aquatic turtles. A proper filtration system is also needed to ensure the water is always clean and clear.
3. Turtles do not like to be touched
Turtles do not like being touched or held. As compared to other pets, they do not like being handled at all! All they need is food and that’s about it.
Children attempt to play with them thinking this makes them happy but this does not. Always remember that turtles are naturally wild animals that prefer hiding in dark places with no or little human interaction.
If you are expecting cuddles, turtles are not the right pets for you.
4. They can outgrow their home
Some turtle species may grow too big for their home. Turtles such as the red-eared sliders tend to grow to huge sizes.
This means extra space and more water for them. Such large turtles may even need a pond. Many people are not able to afford the cost of putting up ponds for these pets.
5. Expensive to maintain
Turtles are expensive to maintain as pets. Compared to other pets such as cats and dogs, they come with much more expenses.
You need to get them a lot of food, enough water, space, and a filtration system. As they grow you need to create more space for them. Your utility bill will also increase as turtles need heat and light to survive. [2]
This ultimately raises their expenditure a lot.
6. Turtles can be hostile
They can be dangerous to humans. The more the turtles grow; they become more hostile and can easily escape their home.
Handling big turtles is hectic as they even bite people with their sharp teeth and claws. Unless you decide to get turtle species that are small in size, the large ones are extremely dangerous.
7. They can become invasive to the wild turtles
Pet turtles tend to be invasive to other turtles in the wild. They should never be let out into the wild. This is mainly because they may introduce new infections to the wild population. They may also bring a whole new breeding species that can easily wipe out the population of wild turtles.
To further illustrate why turtles may not be for everyone, watch this video by Steff J.
Having looked at the pros and cons of pet turtles let us look at which types of turtles make good pets.
Types of Turtles That Make Good Pets
Here is a list of turtles that make good pets
- Red-eared sliders
- The wood turtle
- The painted turtle
- The matamata (side-necked turtle)
- Cumberland slider turtles
- Box turtles
- mud and musk turtles
- Painted turtles such as the Western painted turtle
- The Mississippi map turtle
- The Yellow-bellied slider
- The Spotted turtle
Red-eared sliders turtles are the most popular pets in the United States. They are very friendly, social and easily available.
Most of these turtle species are easy to take care of with the right diet and conditions. Each comes with different characteristics. It is important to learn about your turtle before you decide to buy or adopt it.
Snapping turtles such as the common snapping turtles and the alligator snapping turtles are not good pets. [3]These turtles are very dangerous as they bite. They bite hard, becoming unsuitable especially for households with kids.
The big headed-turtle is also not a suitable pet turtle. They are accomplished escape artists who climb pretty well. Their huge size does not help either as this makes it hard to maintain them.
Are Turtles Good For Kids?
Turtles are not good for toddlers. They carry salmonella that is very harmful to small children. Children under the age of 5 years should not be near turtles at all!
Children from 10 years and above can handle turtles as pets with strict supervision from their parents.
Remember children are naturally curious therefore will always try to cuddle and hug the turtles. This is not safe as not only can they get very sick but also turtles do not love attention.
Related: Do turtles shed their shells?
What To Consider Before Getting A Pet Turtle?
Different countries and states have different rules, and regulations set with regards to adopting pet turtles. It’s illegal to release or move native or invasive turtles such as the red-eared sliders, in the wild without a permit.
In Oregon, it is prohibited to buy, sell, or possess many turtle species, including the red-eared slider. [4]
In the United States, it’s also illegal to sell or distribute turtles with shells that measure less than 4 inches in length. This has been in effect since 1975 due to the widespread transmission of Salmonella from turtles to pet owners.
Turtles can make good pets with the right diet, environment, and care. However, there are many factors to consider if they are the right fit for you. They are a life-time commitment so decide wisely!
You need to ensure you research about the turtle you are getting as a pet before you buy it. Never take a wild turtle as a pet. This is because wild turtles do not thrive in captivity.
They are used to roaming around, and finding their own food hence will not do well in confined environments.
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