Reptile & Amphibian Forums

At least I think these are different.

Im mostly consider, in order:
1- spengleri's
2- Wetern Painted
3- Mud turtle

I already know about size care and all that stuff.
I wanted to know about their personalities (I know each one is an individual, just asking in general), which are the smartest, most responsive, entertaining and wont be afraid of me.

Thanks
Jack
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0.1 Hypo-Tang Leopard Gecko
0.1 Tremper Albino Hypo Tang Leopard Gecko
1.0 Hypo Tang Leopard Gecko
1.0 Crested Geckos
0.0.1 CB Baby Saharan Uromastyx

np
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0.1 Hypo-Tang Leopard Gecko
0.1 Tremper Albino Hypo Tang Leopard Gecko
1.0 Hypo Tang Leopard Gecko
1.0 Crested Geckos
0.0.1 CB Baby Saharan Uromastyx

Spengleri are very charming turtles, which can be kept in small quaters but.......it's strictly a gamble as to wheter they survive. Almost all are wild caught with a potential load of tropical parasites that may kill them within a year. If not, they are better than average in hardiness and a great pet. Muds are reliable and hardy. Many species are very personable and responsive to their keepers. I recommend the FL 3-striped mud for hardiness, avilability and price. Second choice is Yellow Mud, but the large Central American muds (Kinosternon scorpoides subspecies) are also very hardy in captivity. the Western Painted is often available in pet shops, but is just a bit less hardy, in my estimation, although with good care, they should be OK. Consider the African Muds (genus Pelomedusa and Pelosius). These are very attentive and outgoing turtles and rate in the "can't kill it with a stick" category of hardiness.

centralAmerican Muds

I think I leaning towards spengleri, the caresheets say a 20 long is enough for one, is this truly enough?? I could get bigger but Im wondering since they take long to grow in about how long would it be good to go bigger than 20L.

Also I saw some CB ones on the classifieds so no problems with parasites and what not, or at least allot less.

Thanks
Jack
-----
0.1 Hypo-Tang Leopard Gecko
0.1 Tremper Albino Hypo Tang Leopard Gecko
1.0 Hypo Tang Leopard Gecko
1.0 Crested Geckos
0.0.1 CB Baby Saharan Uromastyx

I wouldn't keep any turtle for its whole life in a twenty long
Its like a human living in a large bathroom.
If you are thinking primarily of space considerations that you have the wrong pet in mind.
Please do not subject a creature as intelligent as turtle to a life (20 - 40 years) in 2 square feet of space.

Youre not reading good, or I wrote wrong,
anyways.
Im talking about the spengleri, I could provide it with a larger tank however all the care sheets say a 20 Long is sufficient, however thats probably a minimum (althought they are small) so I asked what a good size is for a single or pair of adults.
And Ill probably start with one (if I decide), And I would like to put it in a 20L I have, but since I think more space will be needed as it grows, I asked when I should change him into a bigger one and what size it should be for it to be comfy for the rest of its life.
Believe me I wont get one if I cant house it properly and give it a good life.

Jack

Can someone please tell me what their average lifespan is???
This is the only thing that worries me.
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0.1 Hypo-Tang Leopard Gecko
0.1 Tremper Albino Hypo Tang Leopard Gecko
1.0 Hypo Tang Leopard Gecko
1.0 Crested Geckos
0.0.1 CB Baby Saharan Uromastyx

Most turtles live at least 20 years. I don't know how long a spengleri can live, but I'd be willing to bet that a painted could live 30-40 years. This is an educated guess, though, not hard fact.

Katrina

Thanks,

Im kinda worried about such a long term commitment, guess Im gonna ive it some more thought.

Thanks
Jack
-----
0.1 Hypo-Tang Leopard Gecko
0.1 Tremper Albino Hypo Tang Leopard Gecko
1.0 Hypo Tang Leopard Gecko
1.0 Crested Geckos
0.0.1 CB Baby Saharan Uromastyx

Twenty gallons is more than enough size for this turtle. I have never raised a juvenile, but the adult size is very small. They are semi-aquatic and spend much time on land or in shallow water. Don't set up a deep tank for them. As for life-span, most turtles will outlive you, or at least be around for 30-40 years with good care.

np
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0.1 Hypo-Tang Leopard Gecko
0.1 Tremper Albino Hypo Tang Leopard Gecko
1.0 Hypo Tang Leopard Gecko
1.0 Crested Geckos
0.0.1 CB Baby Saharan Uromastyx

I'm surprised and disappointed to read this.
I know how big (small) spengleri are. A twenty gallon tank is a jail cell as far as i am concerned. I don't even think its enough room for a stinkpot.
Anything semi-terrestrial usually needs about TWICE as much space as an aquatic or semi aquatic of similar size as you want to be able to create a thermal gradient both for the land and the water and provide both terrestrial and aquatic hides.
You can't do this adequately for a four in turtle in a 20 gallon aquarium.