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What turtle or tortoise is right for me?
Click images to see larger ones
Before acquiring a turtle or tortoise you must explore which turtle or tortoise would be best for you. Some things to take into consideration are habitat-climate, habitat’s security, indoor/ outdoor enclosures, diet, lighting, heating, vet care, and their longevity.
Types of turtles
Turtles can be broken into 3 groups aquatic, semi aquatic, terrestrial. Aquatic turtles such as red eared sliders, cooters, Yellowbellies will eventually out grow indoor tanks and need a pond. SMALLER turtles such as musks, muds, and painteds can be properly housed indoors. A turtle's home should be spacious and stimulating. This can be achieved with non toxic plants. All turtles need UVB and a place to climb out of the water to bask.
 If you are considering a water turtle you can explore some good turtle set up’s by clicking here.
Care sheets for aquatics can be found at
http://www.sonic.net/melissk/reslider.html
http://home.earthlink.net/~rednine/slider.htm
http://www.tortoise.org/archives/elegans.html
http://www.geocities.com/bubbysworld.geo
 Semi aquatic turtles such as wood turtles, spotted turtles and Malayans need an area with both land and water. This habitat is much easier achieved in an outdoor pen. However, adequate indoor accomidations can be provided with careful planning
Click here to see a great indoor semi aquatic turtle set up
for turtles and click here to see one for babies.
See the following links for a good semi aquatic turtle set up outdoors.
http://www.turtlehomes.org/species/habitats/pegasianleaf.html
http://www.geocities.com/sassi49575/photopagelace.html
 Terestrial turtles such as box turtles do best in outdoor pens. They need a soaking dish large enough to climb into and easy enough to get out of. A hiding spot, a substrate that holds moisture, a proper diet, a secure living area, and stimulating environment.
See this link for some examples of box turtle pens
http://turtlecafe.com/habitat.pl?page=boxturtle
If you are in an area that has predators such as raccoons pay close attension to the security of the pens. This Link will help you to build a secure pen
http://www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/pentips.html
See these links for box turtle care sheets
http://www.sonic.net/melissk/box.html
http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/Vines/5504/
http://www.tortoise.org/general/boxcare.html
http://www.tortoisetrust.org/care/cornata.html
http://www.tortoisetrust.org/care/ctriungis.html
http://www.tortoisetrust.org/care/cgalb.html
and my personal favorite
http://www.billsboxturtles.com/
 Whether you choose a water turtle or a box turtle it is your responsibility to provide the best care possible. All turtles need proper lighting/heat/UVB a spacious stimulating enclosure/tank, hiding places, clean water, secure enclosures, and competent vet care.
 Smaller tortoises such as Russians, are a wonderful choice for a first tortoise. Click here to view a very informative link about these great little guys.
 The redfoot tortoise is a wonderful personable tortoise that doesn’t get too large. Click here to see the redfoot tortoise caresheet.
Click here to see one example of an outdoor redfoot pen
Tortoises
 If turtles just aren’t your thing you may consider adopting a tortoise.
A very important consideration before choosing a tortoise is space and climate. For instance large land tortoises such as sulcata and leopards will eventually need full time outdoor enclosures. If you live in a cold state this will be much harder to provide. See the sulcata reality check by clicking here.
A Sulcata care sheet, as well as leopard tortoise care sheets, can be viewed by clicking here.
Vetrinary care
 The time to find a reptile vet is before you need one. To find a reptile vet in your area Click Here.
Habitat’s for both turtles and tortoises should be secure and safe from predator’s. Click Here to protect yours.
Click Here to see other turtle and tortoise habitat’s and for species specific care sheets click here
We have only touched on some of the more common species of turtles and tortoises. With over 269 species of turtles and tortoises you must do research on the species you are interested in keeping and make choices that are best or both you and the turtle. With the proper environment you will have a wonderful friend that could easily out live you.
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