Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey guys!
I live near a pond that has lots of turtles in it and i thought it would make a good pet!
I found a nice adult one and I caught it yesterday!
I think it is an eastern painted turtle it matches a pic on the internet.
I have it in a 20 gallon with just enough water to cover its shell!
What elce do i need?

I would honestly suggest you return it to the wild. Turtles that are taken from the wild to be kept as pets usually get sick and die or just don't do well after being taken from the wild. If you want a turtle as a pet go to a local pet store or shelter near you and get one from there. They are a lot of turtles that need homes out there. Please return the turtle to the wild or else you very well could kill it.

Also if you were thinking of keeping that adult turlte in a 20 gallon tank you need to do a little bit of research. an adult turtle should have around 75 gallons of water for swimming, atleast 50 gallons. They also need special UV lights, water filters, and water heaters.

I agree totally with the previous responder. There are so many aquatic turtles needing homes, just look at PetFinders, and you will see so many. Wild ones are being killed off from pollution, take as pets and food, and losing their homes to "progress". Please return the wild turtle to its pond and be a conservationist. And then get one that needs a new home and become a turtle savior

I agree totally with the two previous posters. What you are doing is very cruel. Taking a turtle from it's natural environment, and putting it in a little tank with a small amount of water is just plain cruel. Please reconsider and go to your local shelter or go on petfinder.com. You will find many water turtles that need good homes. You are doing this poor turtle a terrible injustice. Also look up a care sheet for whatever turtle you get. An adult turtle is very expensive to keep. You will need special lights, a very large tank, special filters, food, basking area...etc.

I highly doubt he'll listen and return the turtle back to where he found it most dont listen. But as others stated adopt a damn red eared slider their everywhere in shelters etc. I seen one at a local pond near me in nj and tried to catch it as its invasive and taking away from native red bellies etc. Humans ruin everything.