Freshwater turtles 101 Tortoise or turtle? According to the strict definition of the words, a tortoise has feet and lives on land while a turtle have flippers and lives in the ocean. A tortoise seldom enters the water and a turtle only exit the water to lay eggs. The freshwater turtle does not really fit into any of these categories since it has webbed feet, and there has been a lot of discussion regarding whether they are turtles or tortoise. Since they live most part of their lives in the water most people found it suitable to call them turtles, and there is even one freshwater turtle with flippers – the pignosed freshwater turtle.
What species are suitable as pets? The available and suitable species varies a lot depending on where you live. For example, in Australia the native Murray River shortneck ( Emydura macquarii) and the Eastern long neck ( Chelodina longicolis) is bred in captivity and therefore rather easily obtained. In the USA completely different species is available and the same is true for Japan and other Asian countries as well as for Africa. There are 46 species of North American freshwater turtles, but several of them are not allowed as pets and may be illegal to buy, sell, harm and possess. Always take the time to research the specific freshwater turtle you are interested in buying. Care is essentially the same for most species, but there might be special needs that you need to take into consideration regarding your freshwater turtle and the more you know the easier it will be to provide your pet with optimal conditions. Dont buy wild caught fresh water turtles since many fresh water species are endangered in the wild.
Laws and permits The regulations concerning freshwater turtles vary from country to country and sometimes even between different states in the same country. Its therefore impossible to state whether or not you will need a permit to keep freshwater turtles in your home. In many countries you dont have to get a permit to keep freshwater turtles as long as they are captive bred, but turtles caught in the wild are banned since several Asian freshwater turtles are endangered species.
Does a freshwater turtle require company? Keeping several freshwater turtles together is not necessary since they will do fine on their own. Baby turtles will usually turn out friendlier and less aggressive towards other turtles if they are not brought up without tank-mates. If you wish to keep two freshwater turtles together you should buy two that are about the same size. If you cant find two of the same size, make sure that the biggest one is also the more timid of the two. Letting two baby turtles grow up together is one other way of ensuring that they will get along without aggression as adults.
How do I know if my turtle is ill? If your freshwater turtle is eating less than normal or stop eating at all, it may be suffering from an illness. If it is spending more and more time out of the water this is also a sign that should not be ignored, since healthy freshwater turtles do not behave like this. If you keep out for those signs you have a much better chance of detecting diseases and treat them before it is too late. White growths on the feet or around the eyes is a sign of fungus growing on your turtle. Other signs of some kind of illness are a soft or deformed shell, small dark cavities in the shell, and puffiness and pinkish areas under the shell and the legs.