In adulthood it can reach 21cm long. In his terrarium there should be space to swim and a dry area where there is direct sun, since he will love spending hours there. The temperature of the terrarium should range between 25 and 30 degrees. If we are in winter, we better be careful with sudden changes in temperature.
It usually feeds on algae, fish, tadpoles and crayfish, but in our house, we will have to provide him with varied and good quality food. For this, we must consult a specialized center and not give it only shrimp.
painted turtle
It is a very peculiar kind of turtle and it really looks like it is painted. We have a small head, a neck with yellow lines, and a black shell with red stripes on the edges. They usually reach 40 cm, although the females are much larger, so we will need a very large terrarium.
There is an unwritten rule that usually works, especially for animals that live most of the time in a cage or terrarium, and that is that the ideal space must be between 3 and 5 times greater than the size that the animal will have in its adulthood. In addition, this turtle hibernates, so we must prepare everything to give it that possibility.
It is a water turtle, mainly, and it likes shallow water spaces with lots of vegetation and feeds on algae, snails and tadpoles. This is why we must create a very varied diet and not go easy with a can of already prepared food. It is best to ask a veterinarian who is an expert in exotic animals.
yellow eared slider
Another classic among the classics, and this specimen is very popular in many homes around the world. It is characterized by having a yellow stripe on each side of its head, that is, on its ears, and also on its neck and body. It is a species from Mexico and the United States.
They can measure up to 30 cm and, like the previous species, they like to swim and dive, but they prefer to enjoy a rest area and sunbathe. They need a large terrarium where they can enjoy their two passions, swimming and sunbathing.
It is a species that adapts perfectly to domestic life, and even they can interact with us. We must make sure that the terrarium always has a warm temperature and offer it a very varied food, instead of giving it only processed food in the form of balls as we see in the supermarket.
red eared slider
Very similar to the previous species, but with red stripes on their ears. They are so similar species that we see that only that color changes, although these turtles have a beautiful shell with yellow stripes that usually attracts children’s attention, that’s why they are one of the most common domestic turtles.
We must get used to the idea that this species can exceed 30 cm, on all females and live for many years, something common to all turtles. Regarding the terrarium, it must be spacious, bright, with a warm temperature and a dry area with sunlight. The diet of this species must be very varied, not only algae, or shrimp, but they need more variety so that their health is not affected, and only in a specialized store will we find the indicated food or let us be advised by an exotics veterinarian .
land turtles
Now we turn to those species that are mostly terrestrial, but that need a water source in which to dive from time to time, drink and hydrate. So they are land animals, but they need water to always be at 100%. Your terrarium should be outdoors, mainly, and with plenty of room to move around and a small corner where there is water to soak in and drink.
russian tortoise
It is a very common type of domestic land turtle. with his dark shell and some clear and round spots, if physical appearance usually attracts attention. In addition, their legs usually have light colors and strong nails on their hind legs, something typical of land animals.
It usually has a life expectancy of about 40 years in nature, but in a home I dream of reaching 100 years. They have an approximate length of 22 cm, and something very characteristic of them, apart from their omnivorous diet with insects, plants, algae and others, is their vision. This breed has splendid eyesight and is capable of recognizing people and even sniffing out specific areas to get food.
forest turtle
A very beautiful species that, as its name suggests, is found in forest areas, but never far from water. A mostly land tortoise in the hot months, but it needs its walks in the water and even hibernates in water in the cold months. It is native to North America and is characterized by its large, robust grayish carapace and its orange legs, as well as its belly and head, and in those orange areas we can also find black spots.
As a difference, on this occasion, the males are larger than the females, even reaching 23 cm in length and weighing more than a kilo. They are omnivorous animals and feed on insects, fruits, plants, mushrooms, and even carrion.
common box turtle
Something peculiar about this animal is that his shell is like a box, hence its name. That is, if he hides inside, he does it completely, without leaving any part of his body exposed. They are native to the United States and Mexico and are not large, since an adult specimen measures about 15cm. They spend a lot of time out of the water, since they are mostly terrestrial, but they need a small space with deep water where they can swim for a while, hydrate and moisten their skin.
As for his diet, he always eats clean and fresh vegetable foods, as well as insects, worms, snails, etc. An expert veterinarian in exotic animals will be able to guide us better with the quantities, doses, time, and others.
Its trade is highly regulated because it is in danger of extinction. If we see a store that sells them, we should ask for information about the farm, since we could be participating in the black market animal transport business.
mediterranean tortoise
It is a protected species, like the previous one, only that it inhabits the entire Mediterranean coast. Buying it is difficult, unless it is an official kennel. Here the common rule is repeated, and that is that females are larger, and both sexes can exceed approximately 18 cm in adulthood.
Something characteristic of this particular species is that they are very long-lived, something common in turtles, but this particular species exceeded up to 110 years of age. Have diurnal life habits and in autumn they begin to hibernateit is a natural process that improves their health and makes them live better and happier when it comes to pets.
With regard to food, it should mainly be a plant-based diet such as insects, small molluscs, worms, earthworms, etc. Only an exotics vet will be able to tell us exactly what we should feed, how to feed it and how often. As a general rule, it is usually to distribute the food in several shots and that everything is very clean and fresh.