Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have always kept reeves turtles in predominantly aquatic environments with a basking platform. Is it possible to keep them healthy in a "land tank" with just a deep tub to soak in?

They are not tortoises dude ... keep the aquatic environment

hussman: Thanks for the advice "dude". Also thanks for pointing out that they are not tortoises! WOW! All this time, I thought they were!! That's why I have "always kept them in predominantly aquatic environments with a basking platform." You are a credit to the forum, "dude".

I disagree. While they are not tortoises i don't think they are anywhere near fully aquatic either. I raise reeves and have a large number of them. They seem to do best with lots of walking area and shallow water that they can bottom-walk in. They can and DO swim okay but not really well. They struggle sometimes and seem happier if they can touch the bootom and the surface simultaneously in at least a large part of their habitat. But i have not seen them in the wild so i cannot speak for their natural surriundings. I imagine they inhavit many bodies of warter. Many people keep them like a painted turtle but i think they do better with a semi terrestrial set-up. see old threrd on this:

discussion of reeves from last month

bloomindaedalus: Thanks for the info. The problem is that I have this guy housed in a large 55 gallon tank and I'd like to keep him in something lighter and more manageable. If I did that, however, his land area would increase considerably and his "pool" would be reduced to basically a 10 gallon aquarium, partly filled. Kirkpatrick and de Vosjoli both claim you can keep them as you would sliders but Reeves seem to originate from slightly different environments. That's why I was curious as to how much water they actually required. I'll go check out that thread you provided!

well they say you can't argue with the experts but well I do. I think reeves love to walk around in slightly wet land areas. One day i'll make avideo of this I see it every morning.
I do a large rubbermaid (55 gallon) and fill it and filter it and put a smaller rubber maid in side with river rock and gravel and make some ramps that are partly submerged. Its cheap and lighter than glass and eay to replace if it cracks.

bloomindaedalus: Yeah, 55 gallon Rubbermaids! Where would we be without 'em?! That's exactly what I'm thinking of and I'd link it, somehow, to the 10 gallon . . .or maybe another smaller rubbermaid now that I think of it.