Tortoises and Turtles as Pets: A Beginner's Guide
Tortoises and turtles as pets: the key differences, housing, heat and UVB lighting, diet, hygiene and the health warning signs every beginner should know.
Quick answer
Tortoises and turtles can make fascinating, long-lived pets, but they are not low-maintenance. A tortoise needs a large, warm, dry enclosure with UVB lighting and a high-fibre plant diet. An aquatic turtle needs a big filtered tank, a dry basking area under heat and UVB, and clean water. Most of what vets see comes down to poor lighting, the wrong diet or an enclosure that is too small. All of it can be avoided by getting the set-up right from day one.
Tortoise or turtle?
| Tortoise | Aquatic turtle (e.g. slider, musk turtle) | |
|---|---|---|
| Habitat | Land only | Mostly water, with a dry basking spot |
| Shell and feet | Domed shell, stumpy legs | Flatter shell, webbed feet |
| Diet | Mostly plants (most common pet species) | Omnivore: pellets, greens, some protein |
| Housing | Large floor area; outdoor pen in suitable weather | Large tank with powerful filter |
| Typical adult size | Varies widely by species | Sliders can reach 20–30 cm (8–12 in) |
| Main beginner mistake | Too small, too cold, no UVB | Tiny tank, dirty water, no basking area |
Always find out the exact species before buying. Care differs a lot between them: a desert species and a forest species need different humidity and diet. Many wild tortoises and turtles are protected, and trade is restricted in many countries. Laws vary, so buy only captive-bred animals with clear origins and check your local rules. Never take animals from the wild.
Housing a tortoise
Tortoises roam, so a small glass tank is no home for an adult. Aim for an indoor enclosure or "tortoise table" of at least about 120 × 60 cm (4 × 2 ft) for a small adult of a common Mediterranean species, and a lot bigger for larger species. Where the climate allows, outdoor pens are excellent, as long as they have shade, shelter and secure walls (tortoises dig and climb).
Temperature gradient: Reptiles cannot make their own body heat. Provide:
- A basking spot under a heat lamp, typically around 30–35 °C (86–95 °F) for many common species
- A cooler end around 20–25 °C (68–77 °F)
- Check the exact range for your species and measure with a digital thermometer.
UVB lighting: Indoors, this is not optional. Use a reptile UVB tube or bulb across part of the enclosure, on for about 12 hours a day, and replace it when the maker says to. UVB output fades long before the light stops glowing. Glass and most plastic block UVB, so sunlight through a window does not count.
For substrate, use a soil, topsoil-sand or coir mix that holds a burrow. Avoid sand alone, gravel, cat litter and wood shavings with aromatic oils. Add a hide at each end, a shallow water dish the tortoise can climb into, and some flat stones to help wear down the nails.
Feeding a tortoise
Most of the tortoises people keep are herbivores. They need a diet high in fibre and calcium and low in protein.
- Base: a variety of weeds and leafy plants, such as dandelion, plantain, clover, mulberry leaves, hibiscus leaves and flowers, and grasses for grazing species.
- Supermarket greens (rocket, romaine, endive, watercress) are a back-up, not the main diet.
- Calcium: dust food with a calcium supplement as advised for your species; a cuttlefish bone can also be offered.
- Avoid: fruit for most species (some forest tortoises are exceptions), bread, dairy, meat, cat or dog food, and high-protein pellets used as a staple.
Fast growth on a rich diet, especially in an enclosure that is too dry, is linked to "pyramiding", where the shell scutes grow lumpy and raised.
Housing an aquatic turtle
Turtles are messy, and they get bigger than most people expect.
- Tank size: a rough guide is about 40 litres of water per 2.5 cm of shell length (10 US gallons per inch). An adult slider often needs 300+ litres (75+ gallons), or a pond.
- Water depth: at least 1.5–2 times the shell length so it can turn over safely.
- Filtration: use a filter rated for two to three times the tank volume, plus regular partial water changes.
- Basking area: a dry platform the turtle can fully climb onto, with a heat lamp (basking around 30–35 °C / 86–95 °F for many species) and a UVB light above it.
- Water temperature: commonly around 24–27 °C (75–80 °F) for sliders; check your species.
Feeding an aquatic turtle
Use commercial turtle pellets as the base, with leafy greens and aquatic plants alongside. Adults of many species eat more plants as they age. Protein, such as insects, earthworms or small amounts of fish, is an occasional extra. Feed young turtles daily and adults every two or three days, and take out leftovers so the water stays clean.
Hygiene
Reptiles, tortoises and turtles included, commonly carry Salmonella without looking ill. Wash your hands with soap after handling them or cleaning their enclosure. Keep them out of the kitchen, and watch children closely around them. Many health authorities advise against reptiles as pets for very young children.
When to see a vet
Find a vet with reptile experience. Get help if you notice:
- Swollen or closed eyes, or discharge from eyes or nose
- Open-mouth breathing, bubbles from the nose, wheezing, or swimming lopsided (turtles), which can mean a respiratory infection
- Soft, flaky or deformed shell, or a bent jaw (signs of metabolic bone disease)
- Not eating for a prolonged period outside normal hibernation or brumation
- Shell injuries, cracks, or foul-smelling patches on the shell
- Lethargy or weakness at correct temperatures
- Straining without passing eggs or droppings
Do not attempt hibernation with an underweight or unwell tortoise. Our tortoise care guide covers housing, diet and safe hibernation in more depth.
In Pakistan
Summers are hot, so outdoor enclosures need deep shade, a cool hide and fresh water to stop the animals overheating. Wild native tortoises and freshwater turtles are often caught and sold illegally. Buying them speeds their decline and can break local law, so steer clear of any animal that may be wild-caught. Red-eared sliders are often sold as tiny hatchlings. Remember that they grow large and live for decades.
If you are looking for a captive-bred reptile from a verified seller, browse reptile listings on Paalo.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a tortoise and a turtle?
Tortoises live on land, have domed shells and sturdy elephant-like legs, and mostly eat plants. Pet turtles such as sliders are aquatic or semi-aquatic, have flatter shells and webbed feet, and need a large tank with water to swim in.
Do tortoises and turtles need UVB light?
Yes, unless they live outdoors with plenty of natural, unfiltered sunlight. UVB lets them make vitamin D3 to use calcium. Without it they develop metabolic bone disease and soft, deformed shells.
How long do pet tortoises and turtles live?
Many species live for decades with good care, and some tortoises can outlive their owners. Treat them as a long-term commitment.
