I'm interested in getting a turtle. Relatively small, small habitat needed WATER turtle.?

Question

I'm looking for a small sized water turtle, what different types are there? How big does the habitat I provide have to be? Are they easy to care for? Also, are the tanks expensive?

Answer 1

All turtles need to be given at least 50 to 100 gallons of water, as well as a good amount of land, even water turtles need land with a heat area with heat and a UV bulb. Even the samllest turtles can get to be at the very least 7 to 10 inches. They also can easily live for over 70 or more years. And you need to do a full water cahnge every week, at least once a week.

Having a turtle (and taking care of it well as you should) is going to be very expensive, figure on at least $300-$400 for the set up to start with.

Tank (at least a 50 gallon)
Heat Lamp
UV Lamp (both for day and one for night)
Large gravel (needs to be big enough so it can't be eatten)
Constant fresh veggies and pellets (never live food as if can make the turtle sick)
Stand for the tank
Water cleaner
Basking pad
High power water Filter

Also keep in mind that turtles are an animal that does not like to be played with, you wont ever want to take them out much.

And if you don't keep the tank clean, not only will the animal die, but you can get very sick.

If you don't care if it's unhappy and dies in a few years then it can be cheap.

The people on here who say it's easy don't know what they're talking about, and clearly there's a reason that their turtles have died. Also never buy a turtle under 4 inches, this is not only wrong as it's to small to move away from the original breeding pond or tank, but also it is illegal in most states.

Answer 2

Musk turtle would be ur best choice as they r relatively small dont grow past 5: very uncommon too and they r bottom feeders and like to bask partially in the water but(please still have a basking area completely outta the water) Alot of peolp like these because they can be kept in a smaller tank but I wouldnt go lower than a 20 galon and Iam still not impressed with that size...try the rubbermaid plastic containers inexpensive and u can get 40..55 gallons for under 20 bucks. typically water turtles need 10 gallons of water per inch of shell. No water turtle is easy to care for and is expensive

U need UVA/UVB lighting and the holder for lighting
Largest tank u can afford no smaller than 20 gallon but really need to upgrade eventually
An awesome filter
water heater
food of course
basking area(s)

Ur looking at at least $200

Answer 3

They take an awful lot of work and need very special care. Please see www.austinsturtlepage.com for complete care info. Basics are a 10 gallon sized tank for each 1 inch of shell length, a basking area to climb out of the water on, a basking lamp, thermometer to monitor basking temp (digital thermometer a must), a water heater, a water thermometer, a powerful water filter, a UVB bulb which must be within 12 inches of the basking area and changed every 6 months, and change the water very very very often. Feed a variety of foods in a separate tank to help keep things clean. Do not use plants or gravel in the tank. Gravel will cause fatal impactions.

Answer 4

Well, i have a red eared slider turtle that's 2 years old. I keep him in a 10 gallon tank but i'll need to buy a bigger one cause they grow. They bask a lot so i have a heating lamp for it and a rock for it to go on. The tank i have cost me about 11 dollars. I wouldn't say easy to care for but the hardest part is to clean the tank/.

Answer 5

Turtles are easy to care for. I have one red-eared slider and one yellow-bellied slider. They are both water turtles and they are both small. As for housing, that is cheap also. You can use a shoebox CONTAINER [the plascic ones] with aquarium gravel sloped downward [so there will be a pool of water]. You can feed them minnows and turtle pellets. If you get a small turtle and keep it in a smallish habitat, it will stay small. Turtles GROW with their habitat [not shrink] so a small turtle can be kept small. I had a red-eared slider that was the size of a quarter. He recently passed, though [bless you , Reptar]. Let me know if you need anything else.

Answer 6

Any adult turtle requires a minimum of 40gallons per turtle. There are no entirely aquatic turtles either. You have to have room for a platform the turtle can climb out of the water and be entirely dry.

You'll also need:
-gravel
-water heater (can't have cold water, it'll make him sick)
-heat lamp (to put above the basking platform)
-filter (as powerful as possible, turtles are dirty)

Turtles are very hard to take care of, I suggest you rethink this idea.

Answer 7

just buy a baby red eared slider there a small aqua turtle and a 10 gallon would cost $ 20 doller and when it gets bigger in about 7 years oy uneed to upgrade to a 20 gallon tank

Answer 8

go 2 ur local pet store & they will have all the things u need. they probally will sell turtles. tell wat kind u want & they will help u. i got a turtle before & when i got a tank ( not a big 1) it was only about 10 or 15 $. it worked cause i had a small turtle. then u need the food tht is only bout 5 or 10$. hope u find wat u r looking 4!!!

Answer 9

they have lots of types of turtles tyey are very hard to take care of there tank has to be VERY LARGE and tanks are lot of money$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Answer 10

Reconsider your choice of a pet...turtles carry/spread a number of serious diseases.