Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have been thinking of getting a texas map turtle. I have a question about the cage though. I want to get a jumbo lagoon from reptilesupply.com with a uvb fixture that goes on top, and a filter. Is this an okay tank for this turtle? It only gets around 3 inches. Someone said that this tank is not good for housing turtles but I don't fully understand why.

Thanks,
Darien
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Darien Drollinger

sales@highendreptiles.com
www.highendreptiles.com

You Cry, I Cry, You Laugh, I Laugh, You Fall Off A Cliff, I Laugh Harder

Nope not a good idea.

You will need a basking spot that has a heat lamp. The basking spot will need to reach 90-100F. Texas maps are extremely good swimmers and 6 inches of water is not alot of water for them.

You would be better off getting a 29 gallon aquarium, filter, UVB light, basking spot, and basking light.

Are you planning on getting a hatchling? Male Texas maps get to 4 inches (my male is 3.25 inches). Female Texas maps can get up and over 7 inches (mine is 6.5 inches).

Well I actually am going to have a basking spot in one corner. I will have a filter and uvb light. I am getting a male as a baby which will not get too big, so I figured that this turtle lagoon is fine. If you are 100% sure it is not fine, then what size of tank should I get? I also was thinking of making a pond inside with land around it like in the post from someone that I saw a couple days ago.
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Darien Drollinger

sales@highendreptiles.com
www.highendreptiles.com

You Cry, I Cry, You Laugh, I Laugh, You Fall Off A Cliff, I Laugh Harder

Your best bet is to get a 29 gallon tank for it. If it turns out to be a male, that tank will be big enough for its entire life. Getting a hatchling that's temp sexed for male isn't 100% accurate.