Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My 6 year old son was given a spotted turtle for his birthday. We've been promising him a pet,but did not expect this! Anyway, he really wants to keep this turtle, and we know little about them, although I've been doing some research. We live in Ohio, near Lake Erie. Any suggestions for caring for this turtle would be greatly appreciated! I think it would break his heart to have to give it back, but I'm not sure how I feel about keeping a "wild" animal caged up. Is it cruel? I don't know. If we keep this turtle, I really want to do it right.

About how big is the turtle? Was it actually caught in the wild, or was it raised in captivity?

Spotted turtles are absolutely fantastic pet turtles that respond very well to captivity. Age and origin of the turtle will affect some of the advice people can give you, though.

She is about 4 inches in length and comes from Northwestern PA. The person who gave my son the turtle says that he found it on the side of a road.

I would be carefull with WC (wild caught) spotted turtles, as most states they are protected species. also WC turtles my be hard to get feeding and only want live foods IE worms,fish,junebugs, etc.
wayne

Thank you. My son has been feeding it bugs that he find in the yard. I'm not sure that it has been eating any though. I'll have to check on that.

It best you release it in its habitat,wild caught spotteds do not fair well unless they are captive born.they are picky eaters,like bogs and need a lot of attention.I f you like the spotteds you can find them for sale...captive hatched in the classifieds.

This is a tricky spot to be in. More than likely a wild caught spotted turtle won't do well in captivity, but releasing it has issues in itself. When you release an animal that has been in captivity you risk exposing a natural population to illness and altering the gene pool.

Hello,

Clemmys guttata is listed as Species of special concern in Pennsylvnia, that means it is rare, not
common due to one or more of the following
factors: range restriction, population decline,
limited distribution, direct threats from habit destruction, collectings etc.., so it should not be taken from the wild. Another point is, that wild caught animals are not easy to keep, sometimes they don't feed and die. They need natural sunlight and a tank with shallow water ca. 4 Inch in depth. Also turtles like spotteds are no pets for childs. In my opinion the turtle should be released where it has been found. If you want to keep turtles you shoud by captive bred turtles which are much easier to keep.

Semi aquatic setup, with water about the same depth as the turtle is long, and about 50-75% tank water (well filtered). Temperatures similar to what you have locally (70-80 degrees with a warm area 85-95 degrees); feed a variety of food, such as live insects, fish, worms, crayfish, etc. That said; if that turtle was collected in PA, it was collected illegally, as spotted turtles are protected in PA; and I feel obligated to implore you to return that animal to the wild, as at that size it quite close if not already at breeding size and is very important to the wild population of these turtles in that area. If your son is the concern, try and get him a CB spotted if that is what he likes, the wild ones should stay wild.

Hi,

At this point unless you could find the exact location it was collected from I would not return it to the wild. FOR ONE the friend who gave the turtle to your son PROBABLY saved its life anyway in picking it up off the road. Secondly, spotted turtles have a home once removed placing them in a different wild home they may not be able to find adequate places for hibernation.

Spotteds from what I have read hibernate year after year in the same place. a.k.a.: THEY KNOW WHERE TO GO and it is very specific to the habitat they come from.

Now go to the BOOKS classified section of KS and exotic petsLV, or The bean Farm both sell Al roach's new Spotted turtle book. THIS will guide you on their care!!!!!!!

Spotted turtles are decent pets for kids being easier requiring less of their owners. THEY are active and fun to watch. Just make sure as USUAL that they wash their hands if the have to hold the animals.

Lee

uh if that's wild, it's protected in it's natural habitat. Why not a captive bred Spottie? They are kinda of expensive though.
-----
Buslady of SoCal
Breeder of Ornate Wood Turtles
Rhinoclemmys Pulcherrima Manni
Mom: Jessie; Dad: Donatello
Kids: Steve,Leo,Bender and Dax.
(sorry, my kids ain't fer sale)