10 Types of Turtles That Make Great Pets (2024)

Aquatic Turtles

• 01 of 10

  Red-Eared Slider

  

  Red-eared sliders are one of the most popular of all aquatic turtle species. They tend to be friendlier and more sociable than some of their relatives, they're pretty active, and they're widely available.

  These turtles are generally housed indoors, but with the right shelter, cleaning, and warmer temperatures, they can also do well in an outdoor pond. As they mature, it can be easier to provide them with the space they need outside.

  Red-eared sliders can grow to a decent size, and their tank will need to be large and have adequate areas for basking. It will need UV lighting and a good water filtration system. These guys are known for being rather messy!

  Their size, subsequent dietary needs, and larger housing requirements mean they can be more expensive to look after than some turtles. With the right care, though, they're generally a hardy and healthy species that frequently surpass 50 years of age.

  Species Overview

  Common Names:Red-eared slider turtle, red-eared slider, red-eared terrapin,red-eared turtle,slider turtle,water slider turtle

  Scientific Name: Trachemys scripta elegans

  Adult Size:Around 12 inches long

  Life Expectancy: 20 to 30 years

  See Also

  What You Need To Know To Decide If A Turtle Is The Right Pet For You - Passionately Pets5 Best Pet Turtles for Beginners (+Pet Turtles to Avoid) | Turtle OwnerA vet’s guide to good pet turtle care10 Reasons Why Pet Turtles Make Great Pets - We're All About Pets

• 02 of 10

  African Sideneck Turtle

  

  These unique little aquatic turtles have distinctive long necks that can't be retracted fully into their shell, and their anatomy differs from traditional water-based turtles.

  Because of their unique appearance and size, they're often a popular choice, but they have more complex care requirements than some other turtles.

  African sideneck turtles water needs to be kept very clean and requires weekly changing. A good filtration system, however, facilitates less frequent changing.

  Despite their small size, they enjoy swimming and need a large tank, ideally at least 75-gallons. They need suitable basking platforms with UV lights for them to lie under and the temperature should never drop below 70 degrees. This is one of the reasons that they're best kept indoors.

  They also need a fresh and varied diet to prevent Vitamin A and D3 deficiencies.

  Sidenecks can be curious turtles that, if you don't force interactions, won't scuttle away to hide when you come to observe them.

  Species Overview

  Scientific Name: Pelomedusa subrufa

  Common Names:African side-neck turtle, African Side-necked turtle, African helmeted turtle

  Adult Size:Average of 8 to 12 inches long

  Life Expectancy: Can be up to (and sometimes more than) 50 years

• 03 of 10

  Eastern Box Turtle

  

  Eastern box turtles need a lot of space, but they're adaptable and, with the right housing, they can live in or outdoors.

  They prefer a humid environment, need a shallow pool of water in their enclosure, a moist substrate, and they will need a UVB basking light if they're kept indoors.

  If their environment is too cold and dry, it can lead to them more easily picking up respiratory infections.

  These turtles can be shy, but they don't tend to be aggressive, and with the right gentle interactions and minimal handling, you can start to see their personality come out. They may even be tempted out to greet you if you have a tasty tidbit.

  Species Overview

  Common Names:Eastern box turtle, land turtle

  Scientific Name: Terrapene carolina carolina

  Adult Size:5 to 7 inches long

  Life Expectancy: 40 to 50 years in captivity with good care (and up to 100 years in the wild)

• 04 of 10

  Western Painted Turtle

  

  A Western painted turtle could appeal if you want a turtle that is distinctive and attractive to look at. They have detailed shell markings.

  Although they aren't big, these aquatic turtles need a large tank or outdoor space, a good water filtration system and basking lights to help maintain a warm temperature. Their housing needs are similar to that of the red-eared slider.

  They can be quite shy and aren't turtles that will enjoy frequent handling.

  Because they like to eat while swimming, selecting food that can be easily lifted out of the water if it isn't eaten is a good choice to help keep the tank clean for longer.

  Species Overview

  Common Names: Western Painted Turtle

  Scientific Name: Chrysemys picta bellii
  

  Adult Size: Up to 10 inches long

  Life Expectancy: Can be up to (and sometimes more than) 50 years

  Continue to 5 of 10 below

• 05 of 10

  See Also

  Common Types Of Pet Turtles And How To Care For Them

  Mississippi Map Turtle

  

  Mississippi map turtles have a distinctive dorsal fin running along their shell, and this is why they're also sometimes referred to as the 'Sawback'.

  They don't need quite as big enclosures as some of their aquatic turtle relatives, and this can make them an appealing choice for those with space limitations.

  While they can still live up to 30 years, their lifespan is a bit shorter than average.

  They can be warier of people than some other turtles, and this means they can be more prone to stress. You'll need to keep handling to a minimum and create an environment that allows them peace and places to take cover.

  Map turtles tend to be quite hardy and less prone to health issues than some species. Clean water, good lighting, and an appropriate diet is still absolutely essential though to prevent fungal infections and deficiencies developing.

  Species Overview

  Common Name: Mississippi Map Turtle

  Scientific Name: Graptemys pseudogeographica kohni

  Adult Size: Females grow to be up to 10 inches long and males up to five inches long

  Life Expectancy: 15- 25 years but up to and over 30 years possible

• 06 of 10

  Common Musk Turtle (Stinkpot)

  

  Common musk turtles are one of the more popular aquatic turtle species. They're small, and their care requirements are a little less intensive than some.

  They aren't turtles that do well with a lot of handling though. They can be feisty and, if they feel threatened, they release a foul and musty odor. This is why they get their nickname: 'The Stinkpot'.

  They aren't as strong swimmers as some aquatic turtles, so the water in their enclosure shouldn't be too deep. They should also have plenty of areas to get out of the water easily to bask under UVB lighting.

  Species Overview

  Common Names: Common Musk Turtle, Eastern Musk Turtle, Stinkpot

  Scientific Name: Sternotherus Odoratus

  Adult Size: 3 to 5 inches

  Life Expectancy: Up to and even over 50 years

• 07 of 10

  Spotted Turtle

  

  If you have limited space and are looking for an aquatic turtle, the spotted turtle is one of the smallest species allowed to be kept in captivity. They're also pretty to look at with their distinctive spotted shell and, with the right housing, they can live indoors or out.

  They're a long-term commitment though, with some living to be over 100 years of age!

  Like musk turtles, they aren't particularly strong swimmers, so their water should not be too deep. They also need warm basking platforms and ornaments that provide them with the opportunity to get out to rest.

  A good varied diet with plenty of meat, along with some leafy greens and fruit is important too.

  Species Overview

  Common Names: Spotted Turtle, Clemmy, Michigan Spotted Turtle

  Scientific Name: Clemmys Guttata

  Adult Size: 4 to 5 inches

  Life Expectancy: Can easily live up to 50 years, with some recorded as living over 100 years

• 08 of 10

  Yellow-Bellied Slider

  

  Yellow-bellied sliders are one of the most popular aquatic turtle species to keep as pets as they tend to be relatively hardy, providing they get the right diet, enclosure and lighting.

  Unlike some turtles, they tend to be most active during the day, which appeals to a lot of owners looking to observe them.

  They need a large tank or suitable outdoor enclosure as they're bigger than the likes of the Stinkpot or the spotted turtle.

  Because of their popularity, they're relatively easy to come by. Just make sure you still source your yellow-bellied slider from a reputable breeder or supplier.

  Species Overview

  Common Names: Yellow-bellied slider

  Scientific Name: Trachemysscriptascripta

  Adult Size: Adult males from 5 to 9 inches long. Females between 8 and 13 inches long

  Life Expectancy: Up to 40 years

  Continue to 9 of 10 below

• 09 of 10

  Reeve's Turtle

  

  The Reeve's turtle is probably one of the most sociable of all the turtles on this list. With care and patience, they sometimes even enjoy being stroked, which is unusual for an aquatic turtle. Of course, handling can still be stressful for them, so this should only be done when needed.

  Their care requirements are similar to the red-eared slider, although they're smaller and don't require such a large enclosure.

  They tend to be a relatively healthy turtle, although they don't have such a long life expectancy. This may appeal to owners not looking for such a lengthy commitment.

  Species Overview

  Common Names: Reeve's Turtle, Chinese pond turtle, Chinese three-keeled pond turtle

  Scientific Name: Mauremys reevesii

  Adult Size: 6 to 9 inches long

  Life Expectancy: 10-15 years usually or up to 20 years

• 10 of 10

  Wood Turtle

  

  The Wood Turtle is known for being very friendly, with the right handling and interaction, and pretty hardy. Their needs aren't as complex as most aquatic species. They do need a decent-sized enclosure though, and this means they're often best suited to being kept in an outdoor environment.

  Because they aren't aquatic, they could drown in water too deep, so it's important to keep their pond area at a suitably low level.

  They also need a diet that is high in protein, comprising plenty of proteins like insects, slugs, earthworms, snails, and more along with leafy greens.

  These turtles aren't so easy to come by and can be illegal to keep in certain States. You should make sure you do your research and ensure you're sourcing a wood turtle from a reputable and ethical breeder.

  Species Overview

  Common Names: Wood Turtle, Old Red Leg

  Scientific Name: Glyptemys insculpta

  Adult Size: 5 to 8 inches long

  Life Expectancy: Up to 50 years