| Owning terrapin turtles as pets can be a very | | | | can grow in excess of 6 feet and cannot be kept as |
| rewarding hobby, but the average owners know | | | | pets. |
| next to nothing about them or how to look after | | | | Then you have the semi-aquatic terrapin turtles that |
| them. | | | | live in both land and water. |
| They are an excellent choice for a pet because they | | | | The terrapin turtles that live only on land are called |
| are generally low maintenance, relaxing creatures, and | | | | terrestrial and are known as box turtles in the US |
| are ideal for families with young children, because | | | | and tortoises everywhere else. It is important to |
| they can be kept in a set area of your home, but be | | | | remember that box turtles or tortoises cannot swim |
| aware they do have a long life span and will require a | | | | and will drown if put in deep water. |
| life long commitment by the potential owner. | | | | Other differences in terrapin turtles are in their shell |
| If the terrapin turtle is for a child you must take into | | | | structure, size and their limbs. Sea turtles are the |
| consideration that they require a consistent | | | | largest of this species and have the hardest shells in |
| maintenance regime and any child must be willing and | | | | the reptile world. Fresh water terrapins on the other |
| able to commit to this responsibility. | | | | hand are much smaller and have softer shells. |
| They take less care than the usual pets such as cats | | | | How Big will they get when fully grown? |
| and dogs, but they do have very specific | | | | Before you decide what terrapin turtle to get you |
| requirements that you must be aware of before you | | | | must also find out how big it will get when fully |
| buy to ensure your pet stays healthy and happy. | | | | grown. They can be as small as 6 inches or as large |
| What is the difference between Terrapins and | | | | as two feet! |
| Turtles? | | | | They need different types of habitat! |
| In the United Kingdom and some of it's territories | | | | Creating the right environment for terrapin turtles |
| they are known as terrapins which is given to any | | | | really depends on a number of factors which needs |
| kind of small turtle like creature that can be kept as | | | | to be researched well. |
| a pet, where a turtle is generally the larger species | | | | Find out how big the breed will get when fully grown, |
| that lives in the sea and cannot be kept as a pet. | | | | remember they all start out small. You really don't |
| In all other countries they are known generally as | | | | want the expense of buying a new habitat when |
| Terrapin Turtles or Turtles. | | | | they grow. |
| Different Variations of Terrapin Turtles | | | | How many will you keep together? The more you |
| There are four kinds of terrapin turtles: Terrapins, | | | | have the larger the habitat will have to be. |
| Turtles, Tortoises and Sea Turtles. | | | | You then need to decide if you will keep them |
| Because terrapin turtles can move and live on both | | | | indoors or outdoors and obtain the correct container |
| land and water, many people are unsure whether | | | | to suite. This can vary from pond liners for outdoors |
| they are reptiles or amphibians | | | | to glass or plastic containers when kept indoors. |
| They are actually from the reptile family and belong | | | | Whether kept indoors or outdoors the habitat that |
| to a group of reptiles known as the 'Chelonia.group' | | | | terrapin turtles live in has to be both wet and dry. |
| The ones that only live in water are known as | | | | A very important factor that you must be aware of |
| aquatic and consist of sea turtles and fresh water | | | | is that the temperature must be conducive for that |
| terrapins. Sea turtles live in the world's oceans and | | | | species to ensure its well-being. |