Theresa Travers
If you’re considering buying a pet turtle, one of the things you’re probably wondering about is how big your new pet will get. Turtles vary greatly in size depending on the breed and type, so this is one of the most important questions to ask.
Some of the turtles weighed less than a penny when they were born, said Laurie Hess, a veterinarian and the turtle’s owner. Avian and Exotic Animal Veterinary Center In Bedford Hills, NY, other types of turtles can grow to weigh hundreds of pounds. Before you buy a turtle, research the turtle species so you have an idea of how large it will grow and keep these tips in mind:
Moderate growth expected
Many turtle owners want their turtles to grow quickly, but that’s not a realistic expectation, says veterinarian Jay Johnson, owner of the Arizona Exotic Animal Clinic and a consultant on turtle-related health issues to the Arizona Game and Fish Department and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “Turtles are wired to grow slowly,” Johnson says. “People want turtles to grow quickly, but that’s not necessarily healthy.”
Factors that affect a turtle’s size include the amount of UV radiation (sunlight) they are exposed to, temperature and drought conditions, and the nutrition and wholesomeness of their diet.
Common turtle species and their weights
Here are some size guidelines for the most common turtles (including those kept as pets):
- Painted Turtle: The painted turtle is a very striking species, with a red, yellow and olive coloring. It grows to be 4 to 10 inches long.
- Red-eared slider: Red-eared sliders are the most common aquatic turtle, measuring between 5 and 12 inches (females are generally larger than males), Johnson says. Red-eared sliders have a lifespan of about 30 years.
- Eastern Box Turtle: As the name suggests, the Eastern Box Turtle is native to the eastern United States and grows to be 4 to 8 inches long. In the wild, they can live up to 100 years.
- Texas Map Turtle: Texas map turtles are sensitive to water quality and will need a place to bask if kept as a pet. They range in size from 2.75 to 8.5 inches.
- Wood Turtle: This species’ habitat also requires access to both water and land. American wood turtles can grow up to 9 inches.
Creating a good habitat
One of the most important aspects of turtle care is providing the right environment for your turtle to live and grow naturally. Once you have a rough idea of how big your turtle will be, buy an environment that will fit your pet, and if possible, buy a large one. “The more space, the better,” says Johnson. “Most people don’t provide enough space.”
Johnson recommends researching your turtle’s natural habitat and mimicking it as much as possible. For example, if your turtle hibernates year-round, try to replicate that experience. Glass tanks are heavy and difficult to clean, but consider using a kiddie pool or a habitat you can make yourself, says Johnson. Once you’ve set up your turtle’s habitat, prepare the following:
- Ultraviolet light
- Heat lamp
- The substrate or material for the animal to live in. This can include wood chips, sand, soil, and coconut fiber. Be sure to keep food out of the substrate so the turtle doesn’t eat the bedding.
- Wooden logs (which should be moistened regularly with water to provide a humid environment for the turtle to hide in).
Placing a UV light to mimic sunlight on one side and a heat lamp on the other will allow your turtle to spend time in both environments – many turtles prefer to bask in the sun. Do not place plastic, plexiglass or glass under the UV light.
When cleaning the habitat, remove everything, throw out the old substrate and replace with new material. Wipe everything down with a very diluted bleach solution, let it dry for 10 minutes, rinse and put everything back. How often you clean will depend on the type of tank you have. If it’s a humid environment, you may need to clean it twice a month. If it’s a dry environment, cleaning once every few months will be enough.
image: Adam van Spronsen / Shutterstock
