Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello!

We just moved into a new house and while we were sitting out on the porch in the backyard we were staring at this empty space between the deck and some plants. I couldn't help but think that a turtle pond would look great there : ) I've always wanted a turtle but I've never got one because of the space they need. We have several snakes and lizards and recently acquired a frog. I've never kept anything outside though so I'm a little hesitant about doing this. If I did it I would probably get one of those big heavy duty water troughs (the dark grey plastic ones). What would be a good size for one turtle to be comfortable in? 150 gallons? 200 gallons? More? I would of course get a good filter for it and make sure he had some good basking sites. My main concern is keeping it warm enough. This would be above ground so it will be harder to heat than an in-ground pond. I do live in Sonoma County in California so even during the winter it is usually in the 60's occasionally dropping into the 50's during the day. At night the temperature usually drops to the 40's or 50's. Is it even possible to maintain the heat in an above ground pool without driving myself broke with the utility bill? Also, how would I got about setting up a lamp for basking outside? I'm assuming there is something made for outdoor use that would be okay in the elements...

Any advice would be greatly appreciated : )

First I would say its not so much the gals need as actual sq. footage space the turtles have to swim in. If you have 4x4 or 4x6 with depth of 2-3ft you could keep 2 to 4 turtles depending on size and aggressiveness. Sliders and Cooters make great pets but get fairly large and bask a good majority of the day. Mud and musk are small turtles but are def more aggressive and need to be able to get away from each other. As far as the outside temps you giving are concerned, Unless a tropical species, non-native to the States, you can keep just about any semi-aquatic outside year round with no need for a heater as long as the water isn't going to freeze solid; since most U.S. turtles are used to cold weather changes. Also the only basking light you'll need is the sun; I live in north Fl. and even on days in the low 50's my red-ear basks if its sunny out. I a 120gal and a 180gal preform pond buried in the ground without a heater or light with common musks, stripe neck musks, large red-ear, mobile cooter, yellow belly slider, and peninsular cooter that stay outside year round. We get daytime temps usually 50-60 and sometimes low 40s with nites sometimes freezing and never had a problem. Hope this helps

This website might help you with the pond information:
http://www.fishpondinfo.com/pond.htm

Whatever you put in, make sure the bottom or any potential "resting/hibernation" areas are dug below the frost line (assuming you get frost). I usually recommend at least 300 gallons, but that really depends on your temperatures. But, the larger the pond, the more resistant it is to change (pH, temperature, bioload, etc.).

You also want the pond itself or the area around the pond to be escape-proof to a turtle so that it doesn't accidentally make it's way to native water ways. In CA, the only native turtle is the Pacific pond turtle, and those are illegal to keep, so any pet turtle should be in an escape-proof area.

Sliders are great pond turtles, and there are thousands for adoption at reptile rescues and animal control facilities. If you want a pond turtle, look into adopting one that already needs a home from a shelter or rescue in CA. They might also have cooters and painteds. Cooters get larger, and painteds smaller, but male painteds are rough on anything female, so be aware of that. Sliders may or may not get along no matter how large the pond. Each one is an individual. Cooters seem to get along well with each other - or at least I haven't been called to take a cooter that's been attaching a cage mate. If you want two turtles, then I'd ask around to the rescues for two females or two males that were raised together.