If you are in love with the idea of owning a pet turtle, but you are afraid that you won’t be able to provide the space these animals require, you’ll probably be interested in what I am going to tell you. There are pet turtles that stay small forever. And they are good as pets like any other turtle.
These small turtle breeds won’t exceed more than 5 inches and will stay relatively small throughout their lives. For those that don’t have enough space in their homes, but they are turtle lovers, these animals are the perfect pets.
In this article, we’ll closely look at the smallest turtle species. In addition, we’ll answer some related questions, too.
Without further ado, let’s get started!
Small Pet Turtles That Stay Small
You can find these turtles by many names such as dollar turtles, mini turtles, dwarf turtles, or quarter turtles. Many of these animals require no more than a 40-gallon tank making them a perfect pet turtle.
Note: If you are interested in getting a baby turtle make sure that you first check out the laws about the species you like within your country. In the United States selling turtles with size under 4 inches is illegal. In some areas where certain species are native, owning those species is prohibited. I suggest you to make a thorough research before you buy a pet turtle.
Now, let’s look at the list of turtles that don’t grow big.
Mud Turtles
Mud turtles are small freshwater turtles native to the United States. They inhabit rivers, swamps, and lakes. These types of turtles are great as pets because they grow to a maximum size of 5 inches.
Box Turtles
Box turtles are popular pet turtles native to the United States. Unlike the other species on this list, the box turtle spends most of its time on land. Most of the box turtle species stay around 5 inches.
Spotted turtles
Spotted turtles are semi-aquatic turtles native to Canada and the United States. They stay fairly small throughout their lives reaching sizes between 3 and 5 inches.
Musk Turtles
Musk turtles commonly referred to as the common musk turtle, eastern musk turtle, or stinkpot are small freshwater turtle from the family Kinosternidae. They are native to Canada and the United States. These species are popular as pets due to the small size they reach. One of the most fascinating things about these animals is their ability to release a musky odor when they feel threatened.
Reeve’s Turtles
Reeve’s turtles commonly referred to as the Chinese pond turtles are small turtles endemic to Asia. They reach a maximum size of 5 inches, which make them excellent beginner pet.
Small Turtle Species Are Great As Pets
Even though these turtles are not big in size, they still require the same level of attention as any other type of turtle. Don’t mistake their size with the level of care these turtles need. So, what’s the difference between keeping smaller and bigger species of turtles?
Small turtle breeds require less space. This is one of the most important aspects of keeping turtles. And the biggest problem turtle enthusiasts face off. It’s one of the reasons why people are often put off the idea of keeping turtles as soon as they hear turtles require big tanks. But that’s not the case with the smaller species. The size of a tank you’ll need for them is no more than 40 gallons.
They require less maintenance. Turtles have the reputation of messy animals. Bigger tanks are often a nightmare for owners to clean. However, the smaller the tank is, the easier it gets for cleaning.
All small animals are adorable. I don’t know why but every animal is cuter when it’s smaller. It’s the same case with these adorable tiny turtles.
Related Questions
Do turtles stay small in a small tank?
Turtles need a tank with an appropriate size in order to have healthy growth. Turtles will often outgrow the tank they live in. Increase the tank size according to your turtle size.
What is the smallest water turtle?
Common Musk turtles are one of the smallest aquatic turtles in the world. Their carapace length reaches a maximum size of 4 inches.
How big do mini turtles get?
Smaller turtle species are often called by the name of mini turtles. Unlike common pet turtles such as the red-eared slider, these types turtles stay fairly small throughout their lives reaching no more than 5 inches in length.
Do turtles grow according to tank size?
Turtles don’t grow according to their tank size. However, smaller tanks might stunt your turtle growth. Consider upgrading the current tank if your turtle grows at faster rates.
What turtles don’t grow?
There aren’t turtles that stay as small as they were born. However, there are turtles that are small in size even in the adult stages of their lives. The list of turtles mentioned in this article won’t exceed more than 5 inches in size.
Final Thoughts
Turtles that stay small are a preferred choice for many turtle enthusiasts. And, it is easy to see why. They don’t require much space, they are equally fun and interesting to observe as any other pet turtle, and most importantly the cost of owning these types of turtles is far less than keeping the bigger ones.
Smaller turtle species are excellent beginner pets. Word of caution, though! These types of turtles might be small, however, they require care as any other pet. Take that into consideration when you are thinking about buying a smaller turtle.
Now, I’d like to hear from you! Did the turtles on this list meet your expectations?
Are you interested in getting one? Let me know in the comments below!