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Small turtles make excellent pets due to their size and low maintenance. This makes them ideal as a first pet, or for a pet for children! The main issue with having a small turtle as a pet is often that owners may not have done enough research on the particular

Try to be like the turtle - at ease in your own shell - Bill Copeland There was a time when if you wanted to see a turtle, you either went to the zoo or spent some time on the banks of rivers and lakes down South, watching them bask

Gopher Tortoises have lived in the American wilderness for so long that we might as well name these little fellas the original lone rangers. With shells that can reach up to 12 inches high, and an average length of 13 inches long they're not hard to miss. They weigh between 10-12

Having a pet turtle can sound like a great way to teach your children responsibility, or to have a little friend to share the home with, however, sometimes children can shirk their responsibilities, or become bored of their new pet.  Turtles need a lot of care and attention, their tanks

It can be a bit unnerving when you see any abnormality in your pet’s appearance.  One of the most common abnormalities you may find in your domestic turtle is a white shell. Seeing this leaves you with a whole array of questions if you have never come across something like

Are you thinking of setting up a turtle tank but you're unsure whether they can live with fish and other turtles. While it is possible to do so, certain factors are going to make the introduction more receptacle and straightforward. Setting up a tank for your turtle requires a lot

In short, yes you can have turtles and fish in the same tank. This is not a one size fits all answer though, as it depends on the species as to whether they can live in harmony.  As with mixing any animals, there is always a risk that they will

Tortoises tend to be found in a lot of areas of the world. These include southern North America and South America, in the Mediterranean basin, in Eurasia, Southeastern Asia, Madagascar, some of the Pacific Islands, and sub-Saharan Africa.  Their natural habitat varies widely. It could be anything from deserts to

Painted turtles are native to North America and there are 4 subspecies. They are good animals to keep as pets but you should not have them as your first turtle. They need a lot of time and dedication to keep well. You should not look after painted turtles if you

Turtles do not have ears that you can see, but this does not mean they do not have them. Instead, turtles have internal ears that are hidden from view. They are almost impossible to notice without close inspection and adequate training.  Turtles can still hear what is going on around

Although turtles do commonly exhibit the aloofness and independence normally associated with cats or rabbits, they’re not exactly low maintenance animals. To remain in tip-top condition, they require a highly controlled environment, and one of the most important aspects of their contrived habitat is the basking (heat) lamp. It may

Turtles like any other animal, are not cheap to keep as pets. They require specific homes and need a controlled temperature and environment.When you are looking to purchase a turtle, there are a few different costs you will need to consider, such as the initial cost to purchase, the turtle’s

The African Sideneck Turtle is also known as the African mud turtle, and is one of the most popular types of turtles owned across the world. The African mud turtle is often confused as a terrestrial turtle, but this little creature is actually an aquatic turtle that requires an aquatic

It’s important that you study up on an animal before inviting one into your home, but no matter how prepared you are for your turtle, it can still be quite alarming when you notice their scutes beginning to flake in places. Scute shedding is usually completely normal; snakes frequently shed

If you are a lover of turtles or you are simply interested in certain things about them, you might have at some point wondered whether turtles are actually able to drown or not. There are lots of interesting and curious facts about turtles, and we are going to tell you

Red-eared sliders also referred to as red-eared terrapins, are among one of the most popular turtles to keep as pets. They are medium to large-sized turtles that reside in freshwater. They belong to the larger family of semi-aquatic pond turtles known as Emydidae, and the species of Trachemys Scripta Elegans. 

If you are looking at getting a new pet, and you have your heart set on a Red Eared Slider Turtle, then there are lots of things that you are going to need to know in terms of how to house them safely. You are going to need to provide

Before you get a new pet, one of the first things you do is look up what they should eat. This is a very important thing to know. But what a lot of people forget is that you must also know how much to feed your pet. With most pets,

Do turtles make sounds? It may come as a surprise to learn that turtles don’t actually have any vocal cords. You may have witnessed a turtle making a strange sound, or even videos online of turtles making hilarious noises. This is because, despite their lack of vocal cords, turtles are

Take a walk with a turtle. And behold the world in pause - Bill Feiler  Even though they’re unique in the animal kingdom, turtles still have to adhere to the natural laws that govern all reptiles. That means that freshwater turtles who live in the wild need to hibernate and

There are a variety of different species of turtle that have different behaviours when it comes to sleep. Reptiles are sensitive creatures to changing environmental conditions such as the humidity falling, the air pressure dropping, and the water and air temperature decreasing.   However, people that don’t know or are

Red-eared sliders are a kind of semi-aquatic turtle native to North America. They can live up to 20 years and require a lot of care. They grow to around 12  inches long and will require regular cleaning and socialization. They are only really out of the water for a few

Pretty much anyone can tell the difference between a sea turtle and a land tortoise. But, when it comes to turtles, there are many different subspecies.  It’s important to know the different types of turtles and the subspecies of those turtles. If you own or are considering buying a turtle,

Turtle shell shedding is a natural process that is endured by all species. The skin of a turtle appears as though it is composed of small scales, however, the skin is actually very leather-like. The shell is made up of bones with a thin layer of epithelium that forms the

In many cultures, different animals, omens, and symbols have great meanings. Some believe that symbols can show us messages, meanings and signs of our lives, futures and pasts. This is why symbols are so important across cultures and the world. The turtle is a symbol that has many different interpretations

Alligator snapping turtles are one of the most incredible reptiles on the planet. They are the largest freshwater turtle in their native North America, and one of the heaviest species of turtle in the world. Depending on each state’s laws, they can technically be owned as a pet. However, a

You may be surprised how much food turtles can consume. Turtles will always beg for more food, and could probably eat all day if they were left to it. This does not necessarily mean that they are hungry, or are starving for food, they are just sometimes a little gluttonous.

Red-eared sliders make some of the best pets out of any turtle species. In fact, if you go into a pet shop or search the internet for the best turtle to have as a pet, the red-eared slider will probably be the first recommendation.  Easily distinguishable by the distinctive yellow

Turtles are brilliant pets to have. They are interesting to watch and because they live for a good number of years, they make excellent companions.  Overall, turtles are fairly easy to keep. However, you must ensure that their basking light and UVB bulb are always at the correct temperature. As

You’ve decided to purchase a turtle and want to give it the best home possible. Unlike fish, turtles need extra care as they are higher maintenance and need a tank that they can grow into. As well as a large tank, you also need to invest in a quality filter

When we think about turtles, we often imagine them retreating inside their shell as if it is a safe little home for them to hide in. This is not actually the case. A turtle shell does not act like a home for the turtle, as it is actually part of

Turtles can be funny little creatures, but that is what makes them so unique and loveable. Turtles have strange, small mouths that sort of replicate the look of a bird’s beak. This can lead people to wonder, do turtles have beaks? The short answer is yes! Turtles and tortoises do

Box turtles are one of the most common pet turtle. They are docile, pleasant, and friendly creatures that enjoy the company of humans. But, of course, a human’s home is not the natural habitat of a box turtle. The vast majority of turtles enjoy wet environments and the same is

Unless you know a fair bit about tortoises, you might not realize just how many different species there are. They might all look pretty similar. But they have some important differences. If you want a tortoise but don’t have much space, then there are some small tortoises that you can

All animals need sleep. Sleep is an essential function of life, it allows your body and mind to recharge, leaving you refreshed and alert when you wake. Good and healthy sleep helps the body stay healthy and reduces the possibility of disease or infection. Without decent sleep, the body and

Painted turtles as named so because of their unique and ornate shell markings, but they also have other names. Their scientific name would be the Chrysemys Picta, but they can also be known as the Eastern Painted Turtle, the Southern Painted Turtle, the Mainland Painted Turtle, or even the Western

Reptiles are known for their strange eating habits. They’ll eat one giant meal which then seems to sustain them for a significant period of time. Ball pythons, for instance, can go half a year between meals, but what about turtles? It’s not like they can dislocate their jaw and eat

You may be forgiven for thinking turtles have a very plain, some would say, “boring” diet. This is far from the truth! Their diets are as weird and wonderful as humans. With over 300 species of this unique reptile, their diets are diverse for each one.  What a turtle eats

Yellow-bellied turtles (also known as yellow-bellied terrapins or yellow sliders) are one of the most popular breeds of pet turtles. You can distinguish these turtles by taking a look at their shell, which will usually be brown or black with spots of yellow. Their underbelly is yellow, hence the name.

Some people may assume that a turtle’s shell will need to be cleaned regularly, but this is not always the case. If their enclosure is cleaned and maintained regularly, their shells will not require cleaning. If a turtle’s shell is unclean and needs a good scrubbing, this is usually a

Turtles make awesome pets, but it isn’t always easy to determine the best species of turtle to keep as a pet. People have different expectations and requirements to owning turtles - some want a turtle with a long lifespan, some want a turtle that will stay small forever, some will

The American Snapping Turtle - known scientifically as Chelydridae - is found in North America; the species originally hails from Canada, however, today the reptiles can be found in various locations in the United States: mostly in the southern waters of Florida stretching to Mexico and all the way to

Just like the majority of wild animals, turtles can be likely to bite if they’re feeling threatened. This is a more likely response if you come across a turtle when you’re actually out in the wild, but don’t go leaving your fingers unattended around turtles in captivity either as they