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African Spurred Tortoise: The African spurred tortoise is also called the spurred tortoise or sulcata. The sulcata used to be a rare tortoise but because of successful captive breeding it is now one of the most common tortoises in captivity. More >> |
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Aldabra Tortoise: The Aldabra tortoise is becoming more commonly available in the pet trade the world over, but it is still considered one of the more specialized tortoises. The Aldabra tortoise, because of its potential large size, requires a good deal of space and special consideration. More >> |
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Alligator Snapping Turtle: The alligator snapping turtle has a grotesque appearance, with its roughened mud-brown carapace, grossly oversized head, hooked jaws and roughened tail nearly the length of the carapace. More >> |
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Asian Box Turtle: This Asian box turtle has a highly domed, somewhat elongate carapace and a strongly hinged plastron. The carapace is dark brown, and most specimens bear a yellow vertebral stripe or spot on each vertebral scute. More >> |
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Bell’s Hingeback Tortoise: The Bell’s hingeback tortoise has a huge native range and consists of up to 5 races. It is currently not commonly seen in captivity because of a recent ban on importation of these into the United States due to a parasite (tick) which was found to carry a disease (heartwater) which affects cattle. More >> |
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Bog Turtle: Bog turtles are largely terrestrial species. Because of habitat degradation, collecting for the pet industry and predation, the bog turtle populations have dwindled rapidly. Bog turtles are now protected by law from collection over virtually their entire ranges.
Adequate space is important. More >> |
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Common Musk Turtle: The common musk turtle is also called “stinkpot” because of its ability to expel a rather repulsive musky scent from glands on its plastron when disturbed. Common musk turtles can turn their necks and reach surprisingly far behind them, often pinching the fingers that were holding them. More >> |
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Common Snapping Turtle: Hatchling and juvenile snapping turtles are interesting and docile animals. They seem to acquire the adult aggressive at age 3 or 4. However, common snapping turtles grow rather quickly and a small juvenile will soon become too large for the typical household aquarium. More >> |
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Desert Tortoise: The desert tortoise seems to do best if it can be provided with suitable outdoor accommodations with similar conditions which are found in its native range although they do seem to be quit adaptable. They do not tolerate cold and damp conditions very well. More >> |
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Diamondback Terrapin: One of the most unique North American turtles, the diamondback terrapin is in need of conservation. Terrapins, although not federally protected, are still protected in many states, which means keeping them is either illegal or allowed only with a permit. More >> |
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Eastern Box Turtle: An indoor enclosure can be made from almost any kind of large open-top aquarium or wooden box. It should be at least 4 square feet per adult eastern box turtle, and include a few inches of sand, wood chips, mulch or soil. If a shallow water pan is kept in the cage it will require daily cleaning. More >> |
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Eastern Mud Turtle: Eastern mud turtles are small turtles and will do well in captivity, provided they are given the opportunity to access land. Thus, this species is a good candidate for a display containing both aquatic and terrestrial habitats. More >> |
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Eastern Painted Turtle: Eastern painted turtles are perhaps one of the most attractive North American turtles. Their small size and generally pleasant disposition make them a good choice for the home aquarium. More >> |
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Elongated Tortoise: The elongated tortoise used to be imported in huge numbers in the past. Although it is still imported today the numbers are not as great. It has been bred in captivity but it is far from common. More >> |
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False Map Turtle: False map turtles are generally docile and do not bite. They are creatures of flowing water and will require large aquatic environments with adequate filtration. The females get relatively large, and thus pose a challenge in an indoor setting. More >> |
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Florida Pond Cooter: Florida cooters make attractive additions to aquariums as juveniles, but will reach fairly large size eventually. More >> |
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Florida Softshell Turtle: The hatchling Florida softshell turtle is an attractive species and a beautiful addition to a home aquarium. They are strong swimmers and thus do well in deeper water habitats. More >> |
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Galapagos Tortoise: The Galapagos tortoise actually consists of several species or forms. Each species originates from one of the specific islands which make up the Galapagos archipelago. Because of its very limited range the Galapagos tortoise is listed as an endangered species. More >> |
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Gopher Tortoise: The gopher tortoise is only one of three species of tortoises that are true burrowers with the Bolson’s tortoise and the African spurred tortoise being the others. More >> |
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Greek Tortoise: The Greek tortoise actually consists of several forms that occur throughout its wide range. Those that occur north of the Mediterranean Sea are more cold tolerant and usually hibernate when the weather dictates. More >> |
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Green Sea Turtle: Hatchling green sea turtles have been raised in captivity at various locations around the world. Usually the purpose of these turtle farms has been to produce turtle meat and soup for human consumption. More >> |
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Hermann's Tortoise: Hermann's tortoises are generally regarded as the hardiest of the genus when kept in typical indoor captive conditions.
Indoor tortoises require strong enclosures--the sides should be taller than the combined heights of the occupants, the floor area should be 10 times the size of the occupants. More >> |
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Leopard Tortoise: There is currently one species of leopard tortoise recognized, but there are at least two distinct forms. There is a southern form and a northern form. The easiest way to distinguish the two forms is in the spotting seen on hatchlings. More >> |
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Map Turtle: Map turtles (from the genus, Graptemys) are rather demanding captives. In nature they are inhabitants of moving waters, such as rivers and large streams. When kept in the confines of an aquarium they are prone to a bacterial "shell-rot." Absolute cleanliness is mandatory for turtles of this genus. More >> |
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Marginated Tortoise: The marginated tortoise is a unique looking tortoise because of its extremely flared marginal scutes from which it gets its name. The males’ marginal scutes are usually much more flared than on the female. More >> |
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Matamata: The matamata appears occasionally in the pet trade. The matamata is a sedentary, aquatic species that has a remarkable appearance. Matamatas prefer shallow waters where they can breathe by extending their long necks and tubed noses to the surface.
Adequate space is important. More >> |
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Ornate Box Turtle: Ornate box turtles are a small species with a pleasant disposition. They are less suited to humid conditions than common box turtles and this factor should be taken into account when maintaining the species in captivity. More >> |
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Pancake Tortoise: This tortoise is not commonly available as wild caught imports because of its restricted range and the fact that it is protected in most of its natural range. Wild caught pancake tortoises have be notoriously difficult to acclimate to captivity. More >> |
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Radiated Tortoise: The radiated tortoise has always been a heavily sought after tortoise because of its large size and stunning radiated pattern. It is sometimes classed as the largest of the star type tortoises. More >> |
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Red-bellied Side-necked Turtle: The red-bellied side-necked turtle readily accepts fish, worms and tadpoles. Although very aquatic, this turtle will bask if given the opportunity.
Adequate space is important. More >> |
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Red-eared Slider: Probably no other turtle has been kept as a pet by more people than the red-eared slider. This hardy species was perhaps one of the first turtles that stimulated the interests of many turtle hobbyists. Red-eared Sliders are easily maintained in captivity in aquaria of moderate depth. More >> |
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Red-footed Tortoise: The red-footed tortoise is a captive-bred, readily available and fairly hardy tortoise that makes a wonderful captive.
Red-footed tortoises require strong enclosures--the sides should be taller than the combined heights of the occupants, the floor area should be 10 times the size of the occupants. More >> |
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Russian Tortoise: The Russian tortoise is one of the most common tortoises in the pet trade today because it is currently heavily imported. Captive bred Russian tortoises are becoming more common as some of these imported groups become established. More >> |
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Smooth Softshell Turtle: Smooth softshells grow to large size as adults, thus consideration of their eventual needs should be taken into account before acquiring one. Maintaining good water quality is key to maintaining healthy softshell turtles. More >> |
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Spiny Softshell Turtle: Spiny softshells also grow to large size as adults, thus consideration of their eventual needs should be taken into account before acquiring one. Maintaining good water quality is key to keeping healthy softshell turtles. More >> |
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Spotted Turtle: As a captive, the spotted turtle does best in a shallow-water setup with a land area as least as large as the water. Insects, worms, tadpoles and other amphibians are favored foods, and some vegetation, including algae, may be eaten.
Adequate space is important. More >> |
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Sulcata Tortoise: The African spurred tortoise is also called the spurred tortoise or sulcata. The sulcata used to be a rare tortoise but because of successful captive breeding it is now one of the most common tortoises in captivity. More >> |
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Tortoise: (All tortoise species.) More >> |
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Turtle: (All turtle species.) More >> |
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Western Painted Turtle: Western painted turtles, like their eastern counterparts, are fond of basking and require a platform or sloping log where they can get their entire bodies out of the water. A basking light that provides a temperature of approximately 80 degrees Fahrenheit will be needed. More >> |
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Wood Turtle: Wood turtles are largely terrestrial species. Because of habitat degradation, collecting for the pet industry and predation, the wood turtle populations have dwindled rapidly. Wood turtles are now protected by law from collection over virtually their entire ranges.
Adequate space is important. More >> |
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Yellow-bellied Slider: The yellow-bellied slider is an attractive species, especially as a juvenile, and is easily maintained in captivity. It is less well-known in captivity than its cousin, the red-eared slider. Yellow-bellied sliders do well in shallow water aquaria. More >> |
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Yellow-footed Tortoise: The yellow-footed tortoise is not overly common in the pet trade although it is not rare. Both wild caught imports and captive born hatchlings are available from time to time. More >> |
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