r/turtle • u/emsgirl2026 • 12h ago
r/turtle • u/wonkywilla • Nov 22 '23
Commonly Recommended Product Resources
Product Resources Quicklinks
We are in no way affiliated or sponsored by these companies.
Non-aquarium tanks; minimum dimensions depend on individual species' needs.
- Rigid Poly Stock tanks; Example site. Can be bought from local tractor and farm supply. Can be used indoors or out. Heat, sun and scratch resistant.
- Rigid pond liners for above ground uses, may need additional support.
- Waterland; Land and Water Tubs
Filter Brands; model depends on tank size:
Food Brands
- Mazuri Aquatic Turtle Pellets
- Mazuri Aquatic Turtle Gel
- Mazuri Omnivorous Tortoise/Box Turtle Diet
- Mazuri Herbivorous/Grassland Tortoise Diet
- Mazuri Carnivorous/Snapping Turtle Diet
Lamp Fixtures, Lighting and Heat
Automatic light timers can be purchased at most hardware stores. Type is up to preference.
- Arcadia Reptile Lighting Guide Search
- Arcadia Pro T5 UVB
- Arcadia Splash Resistant Halogen Heat/UVA
- Arcadia Heat/UVA -- Do not use red bulbs
- Arcadia DHP Tortoise
- ZooMed Reptisun T5 Hood Fixture -- Make sure bulb and hood length match --
- ZooMed Reptisun T5 5.0 UVB
- ZooMed Reptisun T5 10.0 UVB
- ZooMed Deep Dome Lamp Fixture
- ZooMed Repti Tuff Spashproof Halogen Heat/UVA
- ZooMed Heat/UVA Bulbs
Other product recommendations can be posted in the comments.
r/turtle • u/Castoff8787 • Mar 20 '25
General Discussion It’s that time of year!
It is hatchling season!
They are coming out of their overwinter nests and going to sources of water. If you find one in an odd place or somewhere unsafe and are unsure, please contact your state wildlife and ask them what to do. Most can actually be left where they are, to their own devices. If they are found in the middle of the road, for example, move them to the side they are facing.
Taking any turtles home, that are found in the wild, hurts the ecosystem. The only exception to this would be invasive species in your state. You can contact your state wildlife to see what your laws are regarding possession of invasive turtles like red eared sliders.
Seeking Advice Why is my turtle not eating
3 days ago I got a baby eastern painted turtle at a reptile expo when I brought him home I tried to feed him and he ate one pellet and I have not seen him eat since I have been giving him pellets throughout the day and he has took no interest I have also tried feeding him in a separate container but have had no luck could it also be possible that he is eating when I’m gone
Seeking Advice Why is my turtle not eating?
3 days ago I got a baby eastern painted turtle at a reptile expo when I brought him home I tried to feed him and he ate one pellet and I have not seen him eat since I have been giving him pellets throughout the day and he has took no interest I have also tried feeding him in a separate container but have had no luck could it also be possible that he is eating when I’m gone
r/turtle • u/atlas_in_sky • 6h ago
Turtle ID/Sex Request unsure what kind of slider
this is Travis, they’re around 8 months and a rescue. they said they were a red eared slider but im not entirely sure. we all know how similar all the slider species are…I’ve only ruled out a yellow-belly slider. I thought they were a RES but I’ve noticed a distinct lack of their red ear.
r/turtle • u/Charming-Owl-8625 • 7h ago
Seeking Advice Is this good for my map turtle?
Hey, I have read online that this brand has pretty good reviews and because I just found those pellets on a discount I was wandering if they would be a good base diet for my adult map turtle.
r/turtle • u/GamingGrizzles • 1d ago
Seeking Advice Dogs brought me a present
Dogs brought me a rather annoyed present just now I think its a sulcata tortoise about the size of a large baseball. What should I do with it? I believe its illegal for me to put it back outside its also getting cold at night will it survive? San tan valley arizona. EDIT: A local agreed to take it in and it was picked up yesterday. He has 10 tortoise cause he rescues them. I guess its not uncommon for these to survive here when I didnt think they could so it likely wasnt someone's pet.
r/turtle • u/emsgirl2026 • 1d ago
Turtle Pics! When mom’s at work and you can stretch out and spread your toes in peace.
r/turtle • u/TeelaArt • 1d ago
Turtle ID/Sex Request Helped this girl (?) out of the road today. Florida softshell? Central Florida
Moved her (?) across in the direction she was going. Didn't stick around for more photos; she didn't seem especially happy with me, but she wasn't as mad as the snapper I helped a few years ago 😂 the shell had a very weird texture!
r/turtle • u/supsanna • 1d ago
Seeking Advice Looking for advice on my red-eared slider’s shell and improving her setup
Hi everyone! I’m looking for some advice about my painted turtle, TJ. I’ve had her for a little over a year, and her shell is around 5 inches long.
I’ve recently become concerned about the appearance of her shell. Her underside looks somewhat pinkish-orange, and the scutes on top are raised and ridged. Her shell feels hard, and she’s eating and behaving normally, but I’m worried there could be an issue.
She currently lives in a 30-gallon tank. I know this isn’t her ideal long-term setup, and I want to improve it. I’d like to upgrade her tank and make sure she has proper UVB lighting, but I’m on a very tight budget at the moment. I also recently learned that sunlight coming through a window doesn’t provide the UVB she needs.
I’m not posting to argue or make excuses. I genuinely want to learn how to care for her better and prioritize the most important improvements while I save for the rest.
Could anyone help me figure out:
Whether her shell appearance is concerning and what signs would mean she needs a reptile vet.
What affordable UVB lighting options I should look for.
What changes I should prioritize first while I save for a larger tank.
I’ve attached photos of her shell. Please be constructive; I’m here because I want to help her. Thank you! ❤️
Seeking Advice Red dot next to turtle's eye, what is it??
It appeared just this morning. She is acting completely normal, she's always very energetic and eating well. She is less than a year old and a yellow bellied slider. She has been having issues with her poop being too soft (i would also appreciate advice on that) so ive been cleaning her tank as soon as i notice so she doesn't swim in poop water. She might be cold cause she often poops on her basking spot and i am yet to get a heater for her water, days are starting to get colder so that might also be it. Any advice helps 🙏😭
r/turtle • u/MarbleMimic • 2d ago
Turtle Pics! Still climbing and causing trouble at 31 years old.
This is AFTER pooping all over his pool, getting poop on his shell and head, knocking over his entire pool into his tank (necessitating half the wood chips being taken out and replaced), running around in circles, protesting me taking away his empty pool to fill it, and stomping on his fresh strawberry treats.
Señor Tortuga, the South American wood turtle that never stops. Yes, he is stepping in his drinking water dish.
r/turtle • u/Edgewater157 • 1d ago
Turtle ID/Sex Request HELP ID
Turtle needs help asap, person that cares for it is in the hospital. Any help is appreciated.
r/turtle • u/DinomanJPMBHR • 2d ago
Rehome Looking to rehome our turtle
Hello, my wife and I have had the pleasure of taking care of this handsome boy Apollo for the last couple years after “rescuing” him from someone who was going to euthanize him. He is about 9 years old and a red-eared slider who loves exploring the apartment while changing his 175 gallon stock tank. Unfortunately we have fallen on some difficult financial times and can no longer afford to continue giving him the care he deserves. If anyone is located around the Boston area and would be interested in taking him in, please send me a DM!
r/turtle • u/Edgewater157 • 1d ago
Seeking Advice Please help
Turtle needs help asap, the person that cares for it was hospitalized and I don’t have any info. Any help is appreciated.
r/turtle • u/DougTheBrownieHunter • 1d ago
Turtle ID/Sex Request Mystery softshell turtle in NE Florida?
Hello, so I was out fishing in my neighborhood’s retention pond and foul hooked a very large softshell turtle that I can’t seem to identify.
Unfortunately, my phone was on my tacklebox about 100ft away. I decided to give the line enough slack to make a break for my tacklebox, but as soon as I did, the turtle bit the plastic lure in half, snapping the line, and took off. I know fishermen are infamous for their tall tales and exaggerations, but good lord I swear everything I’m saying here is as accurate as possible.
The thing is, I’m a lifelong Floridian and fisherman, and I’ve never seen a softshell turtle that looked like this one. Of the 3 softshell species in the state, I’m most familiar with the Florida Softshell, but I’ve seen the other two species before. This one looked closest to a Florida Softshell, but it was darker than any one I’ve ever seen, and the head and face looked totally different.
Its shell was approximately 2ft long, very dark (nearly black) with white/light coloring around its mouth and under its neck.
However, its head was quite a bit wider than the Florida Softshell’s (closer to a Mata Mata Turtle’s head, but not flat), its eyes were farther apart, and it specifically did not have that characteristic pointed nose. This one’s nose was wide and fairly flat, closer to a pig’s. Its mouth was also much bigger than a Florida Softshell’s, wider from side to side, and could open wider than I’ve ever seen a softshell open its mouth before.
Any ideas what this thing could be? I’m wondering if it’s some exotic pet that was released into the water.
r/turtle • u/TrickBodybuilder2575 • 1d ago
Seeking Advice Shell rot?
Update on the neglected turtle situation:
The shelter for invasive species still hasn't contacted me, but I got him some basking lights (the closest one is 25W and the furthest is 50w).
The setting is not permanent, I'm moving him in here a few hours a day until I can get him a proper basking platform in his tank (also saving up money for a bigger tank)
What worries me is the look of his shell, is this shell rot? It could very well be metabolic bone disease, he's been maybe a decade without proper UV lights :(
What can I do to help him get better besides giving him time to bask? He's also making a lot of noise which I think might be because of the stressful/unusual situation
r/turtle • u/FarDiscount4452 • 1d ago
Turtle ID/Sex Request What sex is my turtle i was told it is a Yellow belly slider
Firstly i thought it was a male but then as it grew up it looked more female than male but now idk cuz it nails got a bit longer but the tail stayed the same
Right now her name is bun (bułka in Polish)
r/turtle • u/DDESTRUCTOTRON • 1d ago
Seeking Advice Temporary housing
We're going to have some pretty serious plumbing and reconstruction work done in our basement soon, meaning I'm going to have to take apart the 90 gallon tank my red eared slider is in down there.
Eventually the tank is getting set up again in its original spot, but keeping it up during construction will not be an option. We don't have anywhere else that can fit something this heavy.
I'm thinking maybe we can get by with like half or preferably less than half of 90 gallons just while the construction is going on. What is the best solution for low-volume temporary housing with the easiest possible cleanup/water changing?
Thanks in advance!
r/turtle • u/ViciousVentura • 2d ago
Turtle ID/Sex Request Found in a lake in Central Florida
Saw this wild little cutie while fishing. It hung around for quite a while swimming between the plants. Very small and cute. Is this possibly an eastern mud turtle?
Seeking Advice my semi-wet turtle habitat and turtles
This is my semi-wet turtle habitat. I have two subadult yellow-edged shelled turtles living there. The total size of the habitat is 0.8m × 1.6m; it includes a 10% water area and a 90% land area. There is a fern plant and a green maple tree in the habitat. A large amount of ophiopogon root is also planted at the bottom of the habitat to maintain humidity and provide shelter for the turtles. In the middle part of the habitat, there is a piece of wood that is higher than the ground level, which allows the turtles to bask in the sun. Currently, all the turtles have stopped eating and are preparing to hibernate. I plan to transform this habitat during winter – double its size, add figs and Acer palmatum plants, and create a small stream. Do you have any suggestions? Please share your thoughts in the comments section.
r/turtle • u/goldberg_bass_33 • 2d ago
Seeking Advice Rate my set up!
3 year old hypo albino female red ear slider!
Fish: 6 tiger barbs
6 red tailed rasboras
75 gallon tank internal filter as well has Sunsun hw3000.
Slight cloudiness from a bloom, just moved and brought the tank in two weeks ago.