| There are 270 different types of turtles living in the | | | | commonly kept as pets. The Painted Turtle reaches a |
| world today. I will first describe wild turtles then | | | | maximum length of 10 inches; Red-eared Sliders can |
| describe the smaller turtles most commonly kept as | | | | grow to 12 or more inches in length. |
| pets. Some kinds are the Green Sea Turtle which | | | | Box turtles have high, domed shells which they can |
| lives in subtropical and tropical waters; the Snapping | | | | shut completely when they feel threatened. They |
| Turtle and the Alligator Snapping Turtle of North | | | | make great pets and since they are entirely land |
| America; the Common Musk Turtle of the eastern | | | | animals and prefer to live in mossy forests, they |
| U.S. and SE Canada; the Chicken Turtle of the SE | | | | should be kept in a large outdoor pen with both |
| U.S.; the Mesoamerican River Turtle which lives in | | | | shady areas and open areas where they can bask in |
| Central America's lakes and rivers; the Pig Nosed | | | | the sun. They usually hibernate in winter by digging |
| Turtle of Australia and New Guinea; and the | | | | down into the soil. |
| Big-Headed Turtle of SE Asia that actually climbs | | | | Mud Turtles prefer damp, muddy or sandy habitats, |
| trees! | | | | and because they hardly ever grow over five inches |
| To go into a little detail on two of the above: Sea | | | | in length, they can be kept indoors as well as |
| Turtles are ideally adapted to life in the sea and have | | | | outdoors. They are omnivores and make excellent |
| flippers in place of feet. They have outstanding | | | | pets. If you keep them indoors they need a large |
| eyesight in the water, though not on land. Fortunately | | | | tank; if you keep them outdoors in a pen, provide |
| for them, some kinds of sea turtles only come on | | | | both a covered area and a muddy area. Like Box |
| land to lay eggs. Sea Turtle species include the | | | | Turtles they will hibernate in winter, and burrow |
| Leatherback, the largest of all turtles. Snapping | | | | down into the mud. |
| Turtles are not recommended as pets. They can | | | | In addition, many people enjoy keeping Map Turtles |
| grow over two feet long and weigh over 80 pounds, | | | | as pets. They are aquatic and live in fresh water. |
| and as their name implies, they have a mean | | | | They are so named because of the yellow or |
| disposition and a nasty bite. | | | | cream-colored markings that cover their legs, neck |
| The four breeds of turtles most commonly kept as | | | | and head resemble road maps. Females grow up to |
| pets are Box Turtles, Mud Turtles, Painted Turtles | | | | 11 inches and males up to 7 inches; two Map Turtles |
| and Sliders. | | | | should be housed in a large indoor tank at least 20 |
| Painted Turtles are related to Red-Eared Sliders; they | | | | gallons in capacity. |
| are a semi-aquatic breed normally found in the | | | | You might also enjoy having Soft-Shelled Turtles as |
| southern U. S., especially in the Mississippi River. | | | | pets. Just be aware that although they are shy |
| Painted turtles have exquisite colored markings on | | | | around people, they are aggressive around others of |
| the underside of their shells. Because of their colorful | | | | their species, which is why you should never keep |
| markings and their peaceful disposition, both are | | | | two of them in the same tank. |