Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi, I keep snakes and I was wondering about keeping turtles or tortoises. What is a good beginner species of turtle? Something easy to set up, easy to care for and that doesn't get too big? I mean easy as a relative term, of course. Also, I realize most turtles/ and torts live for a long long time (as will my snakes, hopefully!) So that isn't an issue, really, I am prepared to deal with that. I started my snake collection with corn snakes and ball pythons which are the "easiest" to keep according to many and I still find them absolutely fascinating every day. I am sure the same would be true for a turtle. thanks for any help you can offer.

Hey there,
Well it depends on what you are looking for. Do you want an aquatic, like painteds, mud, musks? Or do you want a terrestrial like boxies, russians? I have aquatics and love them. Right now I have a painted, Yellow Bellied, and and snapper (not for beginners). For a beginner I would reccomend any of the mud and musk species. Painteds are also a great beginner. To find out how to care for them go to www.AustinsTurtlePage.com Then look under caresheets, then just pick wich species you would like to learn more about. Hope this helps you out...
Chris D.

I would go with either a painted or mississippi map.

Matthew

Don't map turtles require better water quality than other aquatics?

Katrina

I think a better way to look at it is that Maps are less tolerant of dirty water. This is not to say that you are incorrect, but that we should always work to have extremely clean water for all turtles, and some species like maps are prone to fungal infections and illness more easily if these standards are let slip.

But yes, fungal infections especially in maps can be an annoying problem.