Reptile & Amphibian Forums

What's the smallest turtle that doesn't grow big that you can recommend? I know a lot of turtles but I want a turtle that stays small because all I have are big turtles and Tortoises. I want something new, something small.
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1.0 Garter Snake (Evola)
0.1 Python
1.0 Green Tree Boa
1.0 Green Iguana (Shhhhhhhh)
5 (unknown sex) Read eared Slider (Ganbu, Shoty, Aulfayan, Phlegm, Lucky, n/a)
3.3 Malayan Box Turtle
1.0 Pyxidea Mouhotti (Driffy)
0.1 Diamond back Terappin (Genbu)
1.0.2 Sulcatta (Darien Wings, Tblt, and Damaso)
0.1 Red Foot(Elsa 140)
1.0.2 Alligator Snapping Turtle (Kilthum, Leudo, and Nanazusa)
1.0 Skinnypig (Poppolochrois)
1.1 Rabbit (Bugs, n/a)
0.1 Albino Cranwell's horned Frog (Mandella Banana)

*Fishes, insects, Dogs, Cats, and Birds are not included.

Southern painteds stay relatively small. So do spotted turtles.

Also...

Look for a post below about the smallest turtle in the world or something. Couple of nice options you can choose from.

Johnny

No, spotteds grow big. I should know.
How about southerns? Do they grow big like RES?
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1.0 Garter Snake (Evola)
0.1 Python
1.0 Green Tree Boa
1.0 Green Iguana (Shhhhhhhh)
5 (unknown sex) Read eared Slider (Ganbu, Shoty, Aulfayan, Phlegm, Lucky, n/a)
3.3 Malayan Box Turtle
1.0 Pyxidea Mouhotti (Driffy)
0.1 Diamond back Terappin (Genbu)
1.0.2 Sulcatta (Darien Wings, Tblt, and Damaso)
0.1 Red Foot(Elsa 140)
1.0.2 Alligator Snapping Turtle (Kilthum, Leudo, and Nanazusa)
1.0 Skinnypig (Poppolochrois)
1.1 Rabbit (Bugs, n/a)
0.1 Albino Cranwell's horned Frog (Mandella Banana)

*Fishes, insects, Dogs, Cats, and Birds are not included.

I'm confused! Five inches is "big?"

>No, spotteds grow big. I should know.

Huh? Perhaps you should define your definition of "small". North American spotteds don't get much larger than 4".

Female painted turtles can get relatively large (but still smaller than sliders) although I've never seen one over 8", and few over 6". I've only handled eastern painteds, and a few male westerns, the male westerns were bigger than many of the eastern females I've seen. Southerns are the smallest of the painteds, from what I've heard.

Personally, I'm nuts over my two little eastern mud turtles. Homely little buggers, but full of personality, and easy maintenance so far (compared to sliders). I guess it depends on how much time and money you want to spend on the animal and on maintenance, not just the size of the animal.

Katrina

Posted by: holy at Tue Jan 13 16:12:36 2004
No, spotteds grow big. I should know.
How about southerns? Do they grow big like RES?

This question comes up AT LEAST once a week. Perhaps we should take a formal survey and see what EXPERIENCED readers believe would be the best standard forum answer/recommendation (possibly several alternatives), keeping in mind that almost all who ask this question are inexperienced turtle keepers and are unlikely to be eager to shell out hundreds of dollars for bog turtles and padlopers. We should probably assume that at least a median degree of hardiness would be essential for the survival of any animals purchased by a chelonian novice, although many appear to have at least some experience with other herps. Your thoughts and suggestions? This is NOT meant to denigrate the aspirations of a potential turtle keeper, just to provide reasonable guidance.

For many reasons in my opinion the common musk turtle is w/out question the best beginner turtle.

-Jesse

How dare you ashume that I'm an inexperienced turtle keeper?! I'm only asking for a suggestion because I'm trying to look for a small turtle, something that doesn't grow beyond 4 inches because I haven't seen one.
Fv--r, don't dare say I'm a novice keeper!
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==============================================================
1.0 Garter Snake (Evola)
0.1 Python
1.0 Green Tree Boa
1.0 Green Iguana (Shhhhhhhh)
5 (unknown sex) Read eared Slider (Ganbu, Shoty, Aulfayan, Phlegm, Lucky, n/a)
3.3 Malayan Box Turtle
1.0 Pyxidea Mouhotti (Driffy)
0.1 Diamond back Terappin (Genbu)
1.0.2 Sulcatta (Darien Wings, Tblt, and Damaso)
0.1 Red Foot(Elsa 140)
1.0.2 Alligator Snapping Turtle (Kilthum, Leudo, and Nanazusa)
1.0 Skinnypig (Poppolochrois)
1.1 Rabbit (Bugs, n/a)
0.1 Albino Cranwell's horned Frog (Mandella Banana)

*Fishes, insects, Dogs, Cats, and Birds are not included.

Dude, relax.

What's your definition of "big?" And if you "should know" how big spotted turtles (Clemmys guttata) get, they're considered one of the smaller turtles out there available. Ask anyone or check out any field guide to N.A. reptiles and amphibians. Why do you think they're so coveted by people who can't or don't want to get large enclosures and setups for sliders and cooters, etc? And besides, how were we supposed to know that "you should know?"

I'm not trying to be an ass, but it just sounds kinda contradictory to me. To me 5 inches in adulthood seems rather diminuitive. If you search hard enough, you might be able to acquire a bog turtle after necessary paperwork. And like Katrina said, muds and musks are perfect options. They're hardy and stay pretty tiny compared to most others. And many males of N.A. species are way smaller than females.

Hope this helps.

Johnny

Btw, I'm waiting for spring or summer to arrive to get my very own baby spotted for the first time. I'm guessing $150~$200 sounds about right...gives me more incentive to start saving some dough..heh.

Johnny

I was speaking generally, not about about you in particular. Note that I said many inquirers had experience with herps, and you are obviously not a novice turtle keeper. Sorry if I offended you - I probably didn't read your species list carefully enough.

It's a stylistically inconsistent species list. Not that I can say I have a better one, but kingsnake limits signatures to 250 characters.
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"The serpent crams itself with animal life that is often warm and vibrant, to prolong an existence in which we detect no joy and no emotion. It reveals the depth to which evolution can sink when it takes the downward path and strips animals to the irreducible minimum able to perpetuate a predatory life in its naked horror."
Alexander Skutch

"How dare you" get upset with someone who was trying to help you.
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...the oldest task in human history: to live on a piece of land without spoiling it."
Aldo Leopold (1938)

"Sometimes I think the surest sign that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe is that none of it has tried to contact us."
Calvin and Hobbes (Scientific Progress Goes 'Boink', 1991)

I was thinking the exact same thing... Also, when someone says a spotted is "big" I think it is prefectly fair to assume they aren't very experienced w/ turtles. Furthermore, anyone who keeps spotteds will tell you a 5 inch adult is usually above average anyway, the average size would be around 4 to 4 1/2 inches. Sexually maturity is attained well below 5 inches.

-Jesse

Heres an idea, try searching the "INTERNET" for your answer. Believe it or not, there is information out there.

If you want to betch and moan about peoples answers, try finding some facts for yourself.

If you are a novice when it comes to using a search engine, reply, and I will show you how.
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Actually, that's what I'm doing and just because I asked people here, it doesn't mean that this is the only place I've gone to. Stop trying to figure out who I am and speculate things about me. I peacefully asked about the smallest turtle people here knows and suddenly, trolls like you came. Stop being a biatch and get laid!
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==============================================================
1.0 Garter Snake (Evola)
0.1 Python
1.0 Green Tree Boa
1.0 Green Iguana (Shhhhhhhh)
5 (unknown sex) Read eared Slider (Ganbu, Shoty, Aulfayan, Phlegm, Lucky, n/a)
3.3 Malayan Box Turtle
1.0 Pyxidea Mouhotti (Driffy)
0.1 Diamond back Terappin (Genbu)
1.0.2 Sulcatta (Darien Wings, Tblt, and Damaso)
0.1 Red Foot(Elsa 140)
1.0.2 Alligator Snapping Turtle (Kilthum, Leudo, and Nanazusa)
1.0 Skinnypig (Poppolochrois)
1.1 Rabbit (Bugs, n/a)
0.1 Albino Cranwell's horned Frog (Mandella Banana)

*Fishes, insects, Dogs, Cats, and Birds are not included.

"No, spotteds grow big. I should know"

"Stop being a biatch and get laid!"

Apparently, we're dealing with someone whose elevator doesn't go all the way up to the top floor...=P

Johnny

Even with the individual incivility here, I still think it is worthwhile to give our thoughts on potential small species for future referrence, as this topic comes up all the time. I am preparing a longer post now and will probably get it up tomorrow.

I just read all the above posts, and if you would re-read them, you would see that erico never pointed a finger at you, holy. He said that maybe we should get together and organize our thoughts on this subject, which comes up more and more often.
I don't see why you get so defensive over a post on a forum. And the little insults here and there don't make it any better.
Most people that post regularly on these forums try to help others to the best of their abilities. Now if you think thats too much to ask, we could all take some time off and just let the people that need the help suffer.
All in all, everyone is right and wrong in different areas. If you did your research on the net, and you know your stuff, why come somewhere and ask, then flip out when you get a different answer?
Oh well, I don't see any use getting worked up.
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Coastal Carpet Python 0.1
Albino Burm 0.1
Columbian RedTail 0.1
Kenyan Sand Boa 1.0
Common Snapping Turtle 1.1
RES 1.0

NP

np

You already know my response - eatern mud turtles.
Or a male southern, eastern, or midland painted turtle.

Katrina