| So you're thinking of becoming a turtle owner! You | | | | and leaves. Box Turtles have high, dark, domedshells |
| have read all the books you can read. You have | | | | that allow them to completely secure themselves |
| asked veterinarians and turtle breeders for | | | | from their predators. |
| information on how to provide proper care. Your only | | | | 3.Painted Turtles |
| concern now is this: Which type should you purchase? | | | | Painted Turtles are generally small, growing only |
| As a prospective owner, it is not recommended that | | | | between four and seven inches long, and make great |
| you start with types of turtles that are difficult to | | | | turtle pets. They are the most prevalent North |
| care for. This will not be good for either you or the | | | | American water turtle, found in the wild all across |
| pet. You may expose you and your family to illness, | | | | Canada, and south to Georgia and Louisiana in the |
| and unnecessarily harm or even kill the turtle. So to | | | | United States. They have dark, fairly flat-topped |
| prevent problems, you must know which are the | | | | shells, with red markings around the edges, yellow |
| best types of turtles to select as common household | | | | stripes on their heads, and red and yellow stripes on |
| pets. What are the most popular turtle pets? | | | | their necks, tails, and legs. Their plastron is completely |
| Check this list... | | | | yellow. Captive-bred Painted Turtles need a diet of |
| 1.Slider Turtles | | | | about 25% meat, 20% or so turtle pellets, and the |
| Found in the southeastern United States, Red Eared | | | | balance fresh greens and vegetables. |
| Sliders are the most popular among turtle pets. They | | | | 4. Mud Turtles |
| love to bask on logs and riverbanks and tend to slide | | | | As their name suggests, Mud Turtles are frequently |
| into water whenever they sense danger (thus their | | | | found in muddy areas; but, they also reside in other |
| name). Red Eared Sliders can be very tame-but they | | | | humid areas, as well as in sandy habitats. Reaching |
| also bite. They grow as long as 12 inches, therefore | | | | about five inches in length, they require sunlight and |
| they require very large tanks or an outdoor pond. | | | | fresh water in their living areas. These turtles, which |
| Most of the Red Eared Sliders are carnivorouswhen | | | | lie dormant during winter, dig deep holes in the mud |
| young; but become herbivorous as they grow. | | | | for their hibernation period. After choosing from |
| 2. Box Turtles | | | | among this list, go to your nearest pet breeders, |
| Growing to about six inches long, Box Turtles are | | | | animal shelters, rescue centers, or pet shops to buy |
| found all over the world in damp areas, such as | | | | your pet turtle. If purchasing from pet shops, be |
| forests. They are one of the most favorite turtles to | | | | careful, though. You have to know if the turtles are |
| keep as pets. They cannot be placed in too much | | | | captive-bred or have lived in the wild. Captive-bred |
| direct sunlight, so prepare a shaded area for them. | | | | turtles are highly recommended for turtle pets. Those |
| Box Turtles also hibernate in winter, and require a | | | | turtles that have come from the wild may not be |
| separate area with sources of moisture, such as dirt | | | | healthy. |