Which of these breeds(?) of turtles would be best suited for a beginner?

Question

I looked around and used the advice given in my other question and so far my parents told me that they want an indoor turtle who wont grow to be GIGANTIC, has a gentle nature, and can live with another turtle because my brother wants one too and they don't want to pay for two different tanks, etc. Although they have pointed out that they like these best so far: Eastern Painted, Red-Earred Slider, and/or a Yellow-Blotched Sawback. Which of these do you think would be the best? Or none of the above?

Answer 1

I know about eastern painteds and red eared sliders.  so I will tell you what you should know about those. they bolth make pretty good turtles for beginners. but red eared sliders can grow  1 ft long and will probably need  a  75- 100 gallon tank.. possibly bigger.  but they are still awesome. eastern painted turtles are probably one of my favorite, because they live around me.  they stay pretty small and can live in a 40- 55 gallon tank. bolth of those turtle can be a good choice,  most are usually  gentile natured "or docile".   try to get a young one. they are easier to tame over time, so that it will possibly eat out of your hand. handle a turtle as little as possible. for 1. they feel safe in the water and handeling can stress them out. 2. some people say it is unhealthy to the turtle.  try to bring your turtle outside though so they can get natural UVB rays from the sun.  and fill up a kidde pool so he can swin around outside for a bit. "under your supervision" if you have anymore questions, email me.

Answer 2

Red eared sliders are one of the LARGEST species-there have been some reported that reach 18" just in shell length and it is rare to find adults more than a couple years old that are under a foot in length.

Eastern painteds are a little smaller (10-12 inches usually) but not enough to make a difference.  You still need ten gallons of water per *inch* of shell (as is needed with all species of turtles) and it's expensive to buy a 100+ gallon tank for a single turtle even if it is easier to keep clean.

I am not familiar with sawbacks but I think they also have the potential to get a bit larger than what you want and are not beginner turtles.

I would recommend a mud, map, or musk turtle as they rarely get more than 4-6" depending on species (you need to check each species though-there are a couple that aren't so small).  Martins World Exotics (link below) often carries several species of both and I am very happy with purchasing from them.  I bought a pastel (often fails to thrive) RES and it is the most lively and active turtle I have ever seen.  It was a refreshing change after unknowingly being sold a pair of "freezers".  A lot of people have had good luck with MWE and they also list the difficulty level for each of the turtles they offer.  Never buy from Turtle Sale-they may be cheaper in some cases but the turtles usually die within days from illness or a previous injury or both, or they linger for weeks suffering before finally dieing.  I have yet to find someone who has had good luck with them.

http://martinsworldexotics.com/available...

In any case you still need 10 gallons of water per inch of shell.  Even if you only get two turtles that don't grow more than 4", you'll still need a tank that is 80-100 gallons.  Multiple turtles often need even more space or they'll fight.

***No turtle or other animal will grow only to the size of it's container-that only works for goldfish and even then it doesn't work very well. The only way to keep a turtle small is to starve it...in which case whoever does so should be arrested for animal cruelty.

Answer 3

NONE..I got my sliders when I was 18. II still have them and I just turned 54 ,,they last forever!!!!!

Un less you have allot of $$$$ and start out with a 60 gal plus size tank for 2 that will last maybe 4 yrs.. and great filtration system cause they are messy animals and p**p alot and it fouls the water.  So if you  want an  Aquatic turtles I say do it!

All these grow to be 10" PLUS.

They can get sick fast if they do not have a good filtration sysytem.

And any aquatic turtle under 4" has salmanela  and you MUST wash after every handling!

They are the cutest!

Sliders, Cotters , painted ,map and yellow bellied are require the same care and feeding. I have two that are 36 yrs old!! Plus an 8 and 5 yr old.

I have had them in a 150gal pond for about 6 yrs now..before the pond I had use a kiddy pool in the yard for 6 yrs..but you must beware of birds of prey during the day and raccoons and possums at night as well as pet dogs. THis was they get the natural light to sun bathe up to 10 hrs a day!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/29035692@N0...

Answer 4

ok this is kind of wierd but the best out of all the trurtles i have had is the combo of eastern painted and common snapping turtle the common snapping turtles do grow veary big but they wont get that big until they are around thirty years of age but if you dont what the snapping turtle just get one painted turtle and one yellow blotched saw back they look really good together swiming around trust me i no

Answer 5

red-eared sliders are great turtles, especially for beginners.  They also live well together.  They don't get huge either.  I haven't known any to be mean towards humans either.  I have a baby one myself.

Answer 6

none of the above

since you would like a small turtle then you should consider a mississippi map turtle.these are my personal favorites. they are relatively easy to take care of. a male reaches only 5 inches long. a female will get over 9 inches so i suggest getting a male. a male will do well in a 40 or 50 gallon tank. almost all of the tank should be dechlorinated water. their water should be about 80 degrees. they will need a water heater to maintain that temp. they like their water high also. they will need an area just big enough to hold them to completely dry off. over the dry dock should be a uv light. uv lights are vital to a turtles health. mississippi map turtles should be kept in clean water. their tank should be cleaned once a week. to keep their water as clean as possible feed them in a seperate container (filled with water) and invest in a filter. they eat live foods such as crickets and mealworms. they also need to be fed pellet foods high in calcium and vitamin a. juvenille turtles should be fed daily and adults should be fed every other day. mississippi map turtles can also be housed with other turtles. overall they make great pets.

most mississippi map turtle cost around $20

with any turtle you get dont freak out if it doesnt want to eat the first week you get. changing environments is very stressful on turtles.

turtles may also require vet care if they get sick. turtles dont get over sickness very well unless they are treated immediantly so if you ever suspect that your turtle is sick call a vet immediantly.

http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Care/ca...

http://www.turtlepuddle.org/american/map...

hope this helps