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See Also
See Again
© Shutterstock
0 / 32 Fotos
Pros - Who could say no to that little face? Here are a few pros of choosing a turtle as your pet.
© Shutterstock
1 / 32 Fotos
Pure cuteness - While they are scaly, it is difficult to deny how adorable these little creatures are. The proof is in the picture.
© Shutterstock
2 / 32 Fotos
Price - Unless you would like to purchase a particularly fancy turtle from a breeder, the average price of a turtle runs around US$20.
© iStock
3 / 32 Fotos
Harmless (mostly) - You very rarely have to worry about you or someone you love being attacked by your pet turtle (unless you own a snapping turtle). The worst case is that they will charge towards you very VERY slowly.
© Shutterstock
4 / 32 Fotos
Lifelong friendship - If they are properly taken care of, even in captivity, smaller turtles can live between 30 and 40 years, according to animals.mom.me. If you don't want to say goodbye to your little buddy anytime soon, then you're in luck!
© Shutterstock
5 / 32 Fotos
Trainable - While it wouldn't be advised to make your turtle roll over, they are capable of doing some tricks. In ancient Turkey, tortoises were taught to come to their owner when called, according to SheKnows.
© Shutterstock
6 / 32 Fotos
Low-maintenance - Turtles, in general, are fairly independent creatures. There is no need to take them on walks or play with them. As long as their necessities are met then that's all they need.
© iStock
7 / 32 Fotos
Size - As far as pets go, domesticated turtles tend to be on the smaller side. If you're living in an apartment or a small house then a turtle could be a great option.
© Shutterstock
8 / 32 Fotos
Quiet - No need to worry about dogs barking at the neighbors or a cat's meow keeping you up at night. If you crave tranquility in your home, a pet turtle isn't a bad option.
© iStock
9 / 32 Fotos
Portable - You can take your pet turtle just about anywhere. You don't have to worry about hauling a heavy crate around if you want your new reptilian friend to join you running errands.
© Shutterstock
10 / 32 Fotos
They know who you are - Believe it or not, turtles can actually recognize the appearance and sounds of their owners, according to Vetstreet.
© Shutterstock
11 / 32 Fotos
Not picky eaters - Turtles are omnivores, so depending on your preference you can feed them fruits and vegetables or feeder fish and worms.
© Shutterstock
12 / 32 Fotos
Easy to please - You don't need to splurge on fancy toys or treats to make your pet turtle happy. As long as they can swim and bask in the sunlight, then they will be content.
© Shutterstock
13 / 32 Fotos
Adaptable to different habitats - Depending on the type of home you live in and the climate, you can choose to keep your pet turtle in a tank inside or in an outdoor pond.
© Shutterstock
14 / 32 Fotos
You can tell girls and boys apart - It is often difficult to tell the sex of most pets from a first glance, but not turtles. You can tell the difference between male and female turtles from the animal's tail length, shell shape, and even eye color.
© iStock
15 / 32 Fotos
Cons - Despite the many positives to owning a turtle, there are still a few negatives worth considering before you fully commit.
© Shutterstock
16 / 32 Fotos
They transmit bacteria - Unfortunately, all turtles carry salmonella and can pass it on to their owners. This is particularly concentrated in their stool, so you must exercise caution while cleaning a turtle's cage.
© Shutterstock
17 / 32 Fotos
They only love you when fed - Turtles are not nearly as accustomed to interaction with humans as dogs and cats. They tend to treat their owners with indifference. The most attention you will get from them is during feeding time.
© Shutterstock
18 / 32 Fotos
Costly habitat - While turtles themselves are not expensive to buy initially, housing them is another story entirely. According to PetHelpful, an enclosure could cost between US$600 and $1,200. Plus yearly upkeep costs hundreds more.
© Shutterstock
19 / 32 Fotos
Not particularly cuddly - With their hard exterior and scaly skin, turtles aren't nearly as optimal for cuddling as a dog or a cat.
© Shutterstock
20 / 32 Fotos
It's a big commitment - While keeping a pet for up to 40 years may sound great to some, for others, keeping a turtle for that long is too much responsibility.
© iStock
21 / 32 Fotos
They are not the best for children - Due to the delicate immune systems of children, it could be particularly dangerous to keep a turtle as a pet because kids could easily be infected by the bacteria they carry.
© iStock
22 / 32 Fotos
Daily upkeep - It is extremely important that turtles have fresh water and clean bedding daily. If you can't devote 30 minutes every day to taking care of a turtle, then they may not be the right pet choice for you.
© iStock
23 / 32 Fotos
They can be overfed - Like dogs, turtles will jump at any opportunity to have food. They may even "beg" to be fed when you walk by their cage. Even though it's tempting, it's important to only feed them how much they need to prevent diseases.
© Shutterstock
24 / 32 Fotos
Beware of the babies - Female turtles lay eggs all year long regardless of if a male turtle is around to fertilize them. So don't panic—you may not be a grandparent just yet.
© iStock
25 / 32 Fotos
They sleep the day away (sometimes) - Turtles actually hibernate just like bears do. According to PetHelpful, turtles typically have their annual rest time for 10 to 20 weeks.
© Shutterstock
26 / 32 Fotos
They must be supervised with other pets - If you already have pets in the home, it is important to keep an eye on your pet turtle so they aren't bitten or scratched by a larger animal.
© iStock
27 / 32 Fotos
You must be climate conscious - While you are purchasing a turtle it is ideal to buy one that is from a similar climate to the one you live in. Otherwise, you may have to put in extra effort to ensure your pet's enclosure is set to the correct temperature.
© iStock
28 / 32 Fotos
There is a chance you end up with a wild turtle - The exotic pet market is booming, so when purchasing a turtle it is critical to verify that the animal was not caught in the wild. This will help ensure that you are taking care of your pet correctly and can keep it healthy.
© iStock
29 / 32 Fotos
They have specific habitat requirements - You must make sure that the enclosure is large enough so that your pet has room to grow. Also, you should not buy a cage with a glass top because it restricts UV-B light, which is critical for your turtle's health. You also need a quality UV source in combination with natural sunlight.
© Shutterstock
30 / 32 Fotos
They need land AND water
- Not all turtles can swim well, and they all need dry land where they can lay out as well. For example, box turtles spend most of their time on land. See also: Celebs and their exotic pets
© Shutterstock
31 / 32 Fotos
© Shutterstock
0 / 32 Fotos
Pros - Who could say no to that little face? Here are a few pros of choosing a turtle as your pet.
© Shutterstock
1 / 32 Fotos
Pure cuteness - While they are scaly, it is difficult to deny how adorable these little creatures are. The proof is in the picture.
© Shutterstock
2 / 32 Fotos
Price - Unless you would like to purchase a particularly fancy turtle from a breeder, the average price of a turtle runs around US$20.
© iStock
3 / 32 Fotos
Harmless (mostly) - You very rarely have to worry about you or someone you love being attacked by your pet turtle (unless you own a snapping turtle). The worst case is that they will charge towards you very VERY slowly.
© Shutterstock
4 / 32 Fotos
Lifelong friendship - If they are properly taken care of, even in captivity, smaller turtles can live between 30 and 40 years, according to animals.mom.me. If you don't want to say goodbye to your little buddy anytime soon, then you're in luck!
© Shutterstock
5 / 32 Fotos
Trainable - While it wouldn't be advised to make your turtle roll over, they are capable of doing some tricks. In ancient Turkey, tortoises were taught to come to their owner when called, according to SheKnows.
© Shutterstock
6 / 32 Fotos
Low-maintenance - Turtles, in general, are fairly independent creatures. There is no need to take them on walks or play with them. As long as their necessities are met then that's all they need.
© iStock
7 / 32 Fotos
Size - As far as pets go, domesticated turtles tend to be on the smaller side. If you're living in an apartment or a small house then a turtle could be a great option.
© Shutterstock
8 / 32 Fotos
Quiet - No need to worry about dogs barking at the neighbors or a cat's meow keeping you up at night. If you crave tranquility in your home, a pet turtle isn't a bad option.
© iStock
9 / 32 Fotos
Portable - You can take your pet turtle just about anywhere. You don't have to worry about hauling a heavy crate around if you want your new reptilian friend to join you running errands.
© Shutterstock
10 / 32 Fotos
They know who you are - Believe it or not, turtles can actually recognize the appearance and sounds of their owners, according to Vetstreet.
© Shutterstock
11 / 32 Fotos
Not picky eaters - Turtles are omnivores, so depending on your preference you can feed them fruits and vegetables or feeder fish and worms.
© Shutterstock
12 / 32 Fotos
Easy to please - You don't need to splurge on fancy toys or treats to make your pet turtle happy. As long as they can swim and bask in the sunlight, then they will be content.
© Shutterstock
13 / 32 Fotos
Adaptable to different habitats - Depending on the type of home you live in and the climate, you can choose to keep your pet turtle in a tank inside or in an outdoor pond.
© Shutterstock
14 / 32 Fotos
You can tell girls and boys apart - It is often difficult to tell the sex of most pets from a first glance, but not turtles. You can tell the difference between male and female turtles from the animal's tail length, shell shape, and even eye color.
© iStock
15 / 32 Fotos
Cons - Despite the many positives to owning a turtle, there are still a few negatives worth considering before you fully commit.
© Shutterstock
16 / 32 Fotos
They transmit bacteria - Unfortunately, all turtles carry salmonella and can pass it on to their owners. This is particularly concentrated in their stool, so you must exercise caution while cleaning a turtle's cage.
© Shutterstock
17 / 32 Fotos
They only love you when fed - Turtles are not nearly as accustomed to interaction with humans as dogs and cats. They tend to treat their owners with indifference. The most attention you will get from them is during feeding time.
© Shutterstock
18 / 32 Fotos
Costly habitat - While turtles themselves are not expensive to buy initially, housing them is another story entirely. According to PetHelpful, an enclosure could cost between US$600 and $1,200. Plus yearly upkeep costs hundreds more.
© Shutterstock
19 / 32 Fotos
Not particularly cuddly - With their hard exterior and scaly skin, turtles aren't nearly as optimal for cuddling as a dog or a cat.
© Shutterstock
20 / 32 Fotos
It's a big commitment - While keeping a pet for up to 40 years may sound great to some, for others, keeping a turtle for that long is too much responsibility.
© iStock
21 / 32 Fotos
They are not the best for children - Due to the delicate immune systems of children, it could be particularly dangerous to keep a turtle as a pet because kids could easily be infected by the bacteria they carry.
© iStock
22 / 32 Fotos
Daily upkeep - It is extremely important that turtles have fresh water and clean bedding daily. If you can't devote 30 minutes every day to taking care of a turtle, then they may not be the right pet choice for you.
© iStock
23 / 32 Fotos
They can be overfed - Like dogs, turtles will jump at any opportunity to have food. They may even "beg" to be fed when you walk by their cage. Even though it's tempting, it's important to only feed them how much they need to prevent diseases.
© Shutterstock
24 / 32 Fotos
Beware of the babies - Female turtles lay eggs all year long regardless of if a male turtle is around to fertilize them. So don't panic—you may not be a grandparent just yet.
© iStock
25 / 32 Fotos
They sleep the day away (sometimes) - Turtles actually hibernate just like bears do. According to PetHelpful, turtles typically have their annual rest time for 10 to 20 weeks.
© Shutterstock
26 / 32 Fotos
They must be supervised with other pets - If you already have pets in the home, it is important to keep an eye on your pet turtle so they aren't bitten or scratched by a larger animal.
© iStock
27 / 32 Fotos
You must be climate conscious - While you are purchasing a turtle it is ideal to buy one that is from a similar climate to the one you live in. Otherwise, you may have to put in extra effort to ensure your pet's enclosure is set to the correct temperature.
© iStock
28 / 32 Fotos
There is a chance you end up with a wild turtle - The exotic pet market is booming, so when purchasing a turtle it is critical to verify that the animal was not caught in the wild. This will help ensure that you are taking care of your pet correctly and can keep it healthy.
© iStock
29 / 32 Fotos
They have specific habitat requirements - You must make sure that the enclosure is large enough so that your pet has room to grow. Also, you should not buy a cage with a glass top because it restricts UV-B light, which is critical for your turtle's health. You also need a quality UV source in combination with natural sunlight.
© Shutterstock
30 / 32 Fotos
They need land AND water
- Not all turtles can swim well, and they all need dry land where they can lay out as well. For example, box turtles spend most of their time on land. See also: Celebs and their exotic pets
© Shutterstock
31 / 32 Fotos
Is a turtle the right pet for you?
The benefits and challenges of owning a pet turtle
© Shutterstock
If you're searching for your next household pet and want to explore options beyond dogs and cats, reptiles could be an unlikely but optimal choice. There are tons of benefits to having a pet turtle, however like all other animals, they present a unique set of challenges. See the following gallery to find out if a turtle is, in fact, your perfect pet.
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