November 27th is Turtle Adoption Day! While this observance day is technically aimed at honorarily adopting wild and endangered turtles, it certainly applies to pets as well. We went over some general turtle adoption information in a prior blog, so we’re going to focus this one on spotlighting a few popular pet turtles. A Lexington, KY vet lists a few aquatic pet turtles that make good pets in this article.
Red-Eared Slider
If we were making a turtle popularity chart, this cute not-so-little guy may very well be on top. They are one of the bigger turtles on our list, and are about a foot long when fully grown. They need a fair amount of space, and are often kept in outdoor enclosures in warmer climates. They require quite a bit of room and care, which does make them one of the more costly turtles to keep. However, they are very cute andloveable.
Eastern Box Turtle
The Eastern Box Turtle is another fun turtle. They can be timid at first, but are can be quite charismatic when they feel safe. They need quite a bit of room, but are hardy enough to live outdoors with proper habitats. (Note: they don’t do well in cold, dry conditions.) They are around seven inches long when fully grown, and can live up to 50 years in captivity or even longer in the wild.
Spotted Turtle
These little guys can be great options for those who don’t have a lot of room. In fact, they’re one of the smallest pet turtles in the world, only growing to about 4 or 5 inches. They need shallow water, warm basking spots, and lots of things to lounge around on. However, make sure that you’re ready for a long-term commitment: they can live up to 100 years!
Common Musk Turtles
Another small one, the Common Musk turtle only grows to be about three to five inches long. They’re basically the skunks of the turtle family: they release a horrible smell when threatened. They don’t need huge habitats, but they do require shallow pools, UVB lighting, and lots of basking spots. It’s worth noting that, despite their small size, they can live quite a long time: their expected lifespan is 50 years.
Tips
No matter what kind of turtle you’re interested in, do plenty of research before adopting one, and weigh all the pros and cons carefully. Adoption is forever!
Do you have questions about turtle care? Contact us, your Lexington, KY pet hospital, anytime!
