If you want to own a pet, you do not always need to go for something like a dog or a cat. Instead, you might look at something a bit more ‘out there’ such as going for a turtle. For many people, turtles make spectacular pets that can be great fun to spend time around. They are incredibly easy to look after, and they are unlikely to have you tired out by the end of the day. However, one thing to note about turtles is they can grow in size pretty drastically. With that in mind, you might want something smaller that falls under the concept of a mini turtle pet.
Does that seem to be the case? Then you might want to look at some of the following breeds. We have highlighted the following breeds of turtle because they are not likely to grow too fast or too large. This means that you can enjoy a more relaxing, sedate experience as your turtle grows up.
Want to avoid coming home to find your turtle absolutely massive? Then go for one of the following mini turtle pet breeds for an easier life.
Why should I get a pet turtle?
The main reasons come down to their level of manageability. If you get a dog or a cat, their personality can make it hard for them to be left alone. So, if you work away a lot or you have a busy life schedule, they might become chaotic. If you are leaving your dog in a house or apartment all day, they can become bored and destructive. It also makes it hard to build a relationship with one another.
Cats are less personality-driven like this, but can also be quite social animals. Turtles, by contrast, are so much easier to raise and keep around the place. They are far, far less likely to become needy or demanding. At the same time, though, turtles are not a set-and-forget pet type. They can still grow quickly, yes even the following mini turtle pets.
If you want a turtle that you know you can look after without it ballooning in size and needing a new tank, start here. The following mini turtle pet species make great choices for someone who wants a pet turtle that will not grow too large or become too expensive.
The Best Mini Turtle Pet Species
Spotted Turtle
The first turtle on our list is the humble spotted turtle. These can live for up to 50 years and easily clear 25 years, making them long-term companions. Capable of reaching around 5” in size, they are among the smallest turtle breeds you are likely to find out there today. They need tanks of up to 33 gallons, though, so do not think you can put them in anything below 20 gallons.
These turtles are quite common across the USA, and their unique spotted design makes them very visually appealing indeed. They are a great choice for those who have never owned a turtle before. A simplistic and friendly species, they are one of the few mini turtle pets that actually like to be handled and picked up.
Care for them with kindness and love, and feed them accordingly, and you could have a tremendous pet for years to come.
Florida Softshell Turtle
The Florida softshell turtle might not look like a turtle to most people due to their long necks. Given their aquatic nature, though, they are rarely found on land and look more like something from the bottom of the sea then a usual turtle. They can live for up to 30 years, though, and can be great turtles for those with a limited budget.
However, a 125-gallon tank is a must otherwise this largish turtle cannot survive. At a maximum of 12” and a minimum of 6”, these are the largest of the mini turtle options we have on this list. They are quite different from other breeds, though, so they make a very good choice for those who fancy something different.
If you want a smaller Florida softshell, go for a male – they max out at around 6” in size, compared to the much larger females.
Mud Turtle
The mud turtle is easily among the most common and enjoyable breeds of turtle around today. Maxing out at 5” in size, they are the ideal mini turtle pet for many. They are native to parts of North America but are most commonly found in Mexico and Africa. The mud turtle can be a very interesting choice of pet as they tend to be quite calm and relaxing to spend time around.
Though the name might suggest they are dirty, their tanks – which need to be at least 75-gallons – do not need to have some kind of mud pit installed. Generally, though, these are among the most docile and relaxing of all mini turtles.
They are good fun to be around, they are very comfortable alone, and they can enjoy a satisfying life in their tank. Easy, low-risk, and highly enjoyable to keep as pets.
Musk Turtle
The next mini turtle pet on our list would be the humble musk turtle. They are typically only around 4” in size, making them among the smallest of our turtle breeds available. They are usually very small, and they are commonly found across North America especially as you move eastward.
In terms of their nature, they love to climb – albeit slowly – so look to see if you see them trying to climb out of their tank. Given they live for a standard minimum of 40 years, and could even last beyond 60, you could have a musk turtle in your life for a long, long time. They stay small, they remain very easy to love, and they make it nice and simple to get relaxed.
You will need to find an adaptable tank and you need to be quite precise with your water levels; be sure to look into this closely before buying.
Razorback Musk Turtle
The next turtle on our list would be the razorback musk equivalent. As relatively short-living turtles relative to others, they tend to last for around 20 to 25 years. They can hit sizes of around 6” so they are not too big, but they also tend to outsize other turtles on this list. If your budget is quite small you might find one of these to be among the more palatable and affordable pet turtles on the market.
They are not likely to bite and they tend to be quite timid and shy. So, make sure you give them all of the attention and care you can to help them feel comfortable. Avoid handling them, though – this is an easy way to break trust and leave your relationship on the rocks.
Watch from a distance, and give them the food(s) they require for the best results.
Bog Turtle
Though the name makes them sound highly unappealing, the bog turtle is a wonderful and common mini turtle pet. They make ideal pets for newbies to the pet world, and their general size and nature make them quite easy to have as pets. They can live for up to 30 years, and only reach around 4” in size. However, a tank of 40 gallons will be needed to give them a home that keeps them happy.
They are quite expensive, but they do make really friendly pets that you can spend time with for years to come. They are ideal for beginners due to their calming and easy-going nature. They are typically identifiable due to the little yellow bank that usually sits around their necks.
If you want a pet turtle that you know is going to remain small, consider these.
Red Eared Slider Turtle
If you want a turtle that can live for many years, this is the breed for you. They can easily live for over 20 years, sometimes reaching as many as 40 years. This makes them a great choice as they can be a pet that grows old and wise with you. They tend to reach around 12” in size, but they need a tank size of at least 50 gallons so make sure you give them the space they need to thrive and live happily.
In terms of their personality and their style, they are quite easy-going turtles. They are omnivores, too, so you can feed them so many different foods. Unlike other breeds, they do not like being handled, so they are an independent pet type. These North American turtles are among the most common mini turtle pet breeds kept as pets.
Desert Box Turtle
A very intriguing breed of turtle would also be the desert box mini turtle breed. They are becoming very common for those who want a turtle that can live in a dry and arid environment. They do not need the high humidity levels asked for by other breeds. They also can live up to 50 years, so you could have one of these little legends in your life for a long, long time to come.
They tend to live for at least 30 years, though, if they do not make 50, and they can typically reach around 5” in size. However, you should not expect to find one cheap – they can cost hundreds of dollars to buy. However, if you are desperate for a turtle and you need something that can live in a more dry environment this could be the perfect place, to begin with.
African Sideneck Turtle
The best option for many people would be the African sideneck turtle. These can live for over 25 years and up to 50, and can reach sizes of 7-12”. This means you need a large tank, around 75-gallons, but they make amazing and friendly pets to have around the place. They look gorgeous and have that classic turtle look.
Easy to look after and a turtle that never loses life quality when in its tank, these make great friends. They even look like they are smiling due to the curvature of their mouths. They are great for those who want a turtle that is very easy to look after and can be fun for the kids to spend time around. They have long necks that can see them look sideways – rare for a turtle – and they can even use their necks to flip onto their fronts!
Amazing turtles, and definitely among the best breeds that you could look to today.
Diamondback Terrapin
The last mini turtle pet on our list is the most famous in some areas; the diamondback terrapin. These are gorgeous pets that make amazing friends for up to 40 years of life. They need large tanks, at least 75 gallons, but they can be easily cared for and looked after. Typically, they can reach sizes of up to 7” so they are also one of the larger mini turtle breeds we have come across.
They are strong and typically durable animals, though they can become prone to shell infections and fungal conditions. Given they need a large tank, though, you can hopefully offer them enough space to limit the potential for illness down the line.
They are very endearing pets and tend to be great for the kids, too, so make sure you think about adding a diamondback terrapin to your list of potential friends in future.
Which mini turtle pet is right for you?
The main thing that you can do now is looking through each of the above breeds of mini turtle. You can then get a better understanding of the pet themselves and what they tend to do. A mini turtle pet can be wonderful fun, but it all comes down to a few things – cost, availability, and conditions.
Be sure to look into each breed and make a decision based on how they tend to live and what you need to give them to keep them happy in general. Good luck!