Turtles are among the most popular exotic pets, and several turtle breeds have risen to the top of the reptile pet. Tiny pet turtles are also known as small-dollar turtles, quarter turtles, turtles, dwarf turtles, and other names in the market. Only a few turtle species remain more than a foot long in adults, even though there are more than 250 species worldwide.
Smaller turtles are frequently assumed to make better pets due to their size and associated environmental requirements; even tiny turtles can have special needs that prevent them from being the ideal pet choices. The padlopers, for example, are not excellent captives because of their unique feeding requirements.
The Five Padlopers Species
Padlopers are a type of small African turtle. Adult speckled padloper turtles only reach a length of 3.75 centimeters. The karoo padloper is slightly larger, measuring 4.3 centimeters in length and having a somewhat domed shell.
The white markings on the shell of the Namaqualand speckled padloper give him this name, and he grows to be about 2.5 to 3 inches long. The Nama padloper is 3 inches long, compared to 2.5 to 3 inches for the typical padloper.
Mud and Musk Turtles
Mud and musk turtles are both about 5 inches long. Mud turtles reach a length of 3 to 4 inches and make excellent pets. In captivity, these animals can live to be 50 years old.
Musk turtles are known as stink pots because they have smell glands that generate a foul odor as a kind of self-defense. These fragrance glands are present in both mud and musk turtles, but the mud turtle in captivity does not utilize them.
Spotted Turtles and Reeves Turtles
Spotted turtles are black turtles with yellow spots on their heads, necks, legs, and shells that grow around 3.5 to 5 inches long. Reeves turtles can be found in mainland Japan, China, Taiwan, and Korea. These creatures are rectangular rather than spherical, and they grow to be roughly 5 inches long.
Common Pet Turtles
The red-eared slider is 7 to 9 inches long, while the eastern box turtle is 4.5 to 7 inches long. The western painted turtle can grow up to 4 and 10 inches long. The female map turtle is 7 to 10.5 inches long, whereas the male map turtle is 3.5 to 6.5 inches long. The wood turtle grows to be between 6.5 and 9.4 inches long.
Tiny Turtles Need Care Too
Turtles are relatively easy to handle; they do require frequent attention. They’re just like any other house pet. They, like any other companion animal, want your love and care. Turtles are often a messy animal that quickly pollutes the water. Regular tank maintenance is required; after every 15 days, you must thoroughly clean the tank.
Do Turtles Stay Small in a Small Tank?
If properly cared for, turtles in smaller enclosures will quickly outgrow them and find something more considerable. Turtles confined to a small tank and not kept under incorrect circumstances (most typically without a source of UVB light) might have their growth inhibited.
These turtles frequently suffer from the metabolic bone disease (MBD), and while they can live with the disease, their lives are often cut short, and they are exceedingly unwell.
