Keen to home turtles but lost in Info!

[rachd26]

Hi All,

I am new to this forum :-)

I have quite a few pets, but nothing amphibious! (2 cats, 3 degus, 4 ducks, 2 hens). I have been keen on turtles for a while, but I am getting totally confused. There is so much information out there, but it all seems contradictory!

I am after 2 or 3 small turtles that are happy to be handled and live inside the house (in a terrariumy thingy- not just free roaming!). Some sites say certain turtles are better at being handled than others, some say no turtle likes being handled. Some places say that the turtle should spend some time out of the terrarium, which sounds nice! Others say they are wet and should never come out of their terrarium!

I am completely confused?!

Also...

I am a little bit confused about set ups. Some people seem to use aquariums, others use reptile terrariums, others use a plastic tub. What are the general recommendations?

Thanks and sorry for all of the questions!

Rachel

[turtlegirl]

Depends on species but aquatic types need tanks full of water with dry basking land area.
TORTOISES -100% land based indoors or out, drown in water. Keep in Tortoise table or outside garden enclosure in summer, terrarium too humid for most species
BOX TURTLES -Mainly on land but need pools of shallow water in terrarium/ Poor swimmers
SEMI AQUATIC - good swimmers but enjoy and need to bask on land. Must live in aquarium, plastic tub or pond with lots of swimming space.Maps are shy but sliders like to interact with humans and many don't mind, even enjoy being handled out of their tanks for brief periods. Also like a walk in the garden
MAINLY AQUATIC - Musks,sidenecks, snakenecks, snappers rarely bask outside water and need aquariums. Softshells,pig nosed turtles live in water all the time and don't come on land. Musks, softshells and snappers bite so handle with care only if necessary

[turtlegirl]

My recommendation for a friendly beginner easy care turtle would be a slider -red ear, yellow bely, Cumberland. They need a large aquariun or plastic tub as they grow big 7-9inch shells. But they are usually tame, friendly, rarely bite and usually don't mind being handled. Thye enjoy being out in the garden and can be let out of their tanks for supervised walks and sunbathing. Just watch them as they are great fast walkers and expert escapers who can climb

A new member Akabuki was trying to rehome 2 sliders on this forum, free to good home as he's moving to Australia. They would make excellent pets for a newcomer like you. Why not contact him?