They love to eat crickets and other insects, so if your common musk turtle is not eating anything, no matter what you give to him, it raises some red flags. The Reeve's Turtle is probably one of the most sociable of all the turtles on this list. The species is vulnerable and noticeably declining in some areas because of threats like water pollution and habitat fragmentation. Musk turtles stay a few inches smaller. and write back with some ideas. Clean water, good lighting and an appropriate diet is still absolutely essential though to prevent fungal infections and deficiencies developing, Scientific Name: Graptemys pseudogeographica kohni, Adult Size: Females grow to be up to 10 inches long and males up to five inches long, NPS Photo / M.Reed / Flckr / Creative Commons Public Domain Mark I. This is because snails carry some diseases which may be more harmful and deterring for the captive turtles than the wild ones. Im curious about turtles (map turtles in specific) and interested in buying one. These guys are known for being rather messy! As the average size length of musk turtles is not that big, creating a housing area for them is not a big hassle. Feed their favorite food again (it does not have to be shrimps or crickets necessarily). Musk turtles are very sensitive, and they feel threatened very quickly. Well, that’s because these turtles release a foul and musky odor from its scent glands to drive the predators away. These turtles do have flexible, long necks that can allow them to bite you easily, so beware. They are feisty creatures that can make your life more enjoyable. Plus, eating live food is also not a big thing for these small yet spunky reptiles. So, if you experience any of these symptoms with regards to the turtle, take it to the vet immediately. If they feel threatened, they can release a foul, musky odor, which is how they got their alternative name of Stinkpot. Their care requirements are similar to the Red-eared Slider, although they're smaller and don't require such a large enclosure. They have two prominent yellow lines that run from the snout to its neck, on both sides of its eyes. If they are being put up for purchase it is more than likely due to illegal dealings. As cold-blooded species, turtles need external heat sources to keep them in good health condition. Water turtles can be really interesting pets, but many get fairly large and require more space than most people want to offer. There are a few things that you must check before coming to conclusions. Male musk turtles are often too-eager and tend to harass the female. The breeders take care of the eggs and the hatchlings from the day they are born. Any turtle which is feeling a bit difficult to breathe, or wheezes and sneezes a lot can be ill. Added to this, swollen and irritated eyes, along with nasal discharge, is yet another reason for you to worry and judge their illness. The best place where you can find musk turtles is from turtle breeders. But, mark our words; musk turtles are not a commitment that you should be taking lighting. Diet. But the turtles bred in captivity need to be given an appropriate amount of light if you want them to stay active and have strong bones. The scientific name Sternotherus Odaratus, Musk Turtles, belongs to the Kinosternidae family. Aside from snapping turtles and softshells I would say musk are the next worst about biting but every turtle is different. Musk Turtles grow to about 3 to 4 inches. They aren't particularly interactive or cuddly creatures, they can carry diseases, and with their famously long lifespans, they may even outlive you. Yes, the stinkpots like to eat crickets. Due to their small size, many people think it’s easy to care and provide for them. This is one of the reasons that they're best kept indoors. Please see this article for info on other types of Musk Turtles. Like the mud turtles, musk turtles will live to be around 50 years old. Wild common musk turtles will get enough light exposure from the sun, and they will self-learn to adjust their bodies to get the optimal amount of light for vitamin D3. Gemma is a Freelance Writer and Animal Welfare Advocate. Although the pelleted diet can cover the amount of calcium required by the turtles, artificial lighting fixes everything that may be missed by the pellets. Aquatic turtles can also carry the salmonella bacteria, which could be transferred to children if they don't have good hygiene practices. They need suitable basking platforms with UV lights for them to lie under and the temperature should never drop below 70 degrees. Are turtles good Pets? If you are keeping your musk turtle in a natural pond that has fishes and some aquatic life too, don’t worry, the turtle won’t eat them. They are easier to maintain and more cost effective than aquatic turtles. Posted: (2 days ago) In addition to these turtles, other types of turtles that are suitable for pets include the mud turtle, green turtle, terrapin, and musk turtle. A large shallow water dish. You can also conduct a fecal exam at home, provided you can get your hands on the turtle’s stool that is excreted in the last 6 hours. In the wild, they are often under risk of getting eaten by other animals and have to keep releasing the odor that stinks. Captive-bred turtles are suitable as pets instead of wild ones. They're small, and their care requirements are a little less intensive than some. If you could give me some basic information (ex. How to create an ideal house for the Musk Turtles? Taking the average size of the tank as 40 gallons, it will be great if you can clean it up, end to end once a month. The solution is UVB lighting, and it can be bought with different configurations. You see that the lifespan of turtles is mentioned as a positive and as a negative. With the right care, though, they're generally a hardy and healthy species that frequently surpasses 50 years of age. What to do if the turtle refuses to eat anything? However, despite their small size, they require significant care and grow up healthy as long as their needs are met. Living in their natural habitat, musk turtles often get nasty. These turtles are generally housed indoors, but with the right shelter, cleaning and warmer temperatures, they can also do well in an outdoor pond. The snapping turtle is a recognizable favorite breed, and some … They may even be tempted out to greet you if you have a tasty tidbit. Processed and dried foods are cleaned and treated to make them safer for the turtles. The Wood Turtle is known for being very friendly, with the right handling and interaction, and pretty hardy. Some signs of the other more dreaded form of parasites include weight loss, fatigue, and diarrhea. Also, unlike other turtles mentioned in this article, musk turtles are carnivorous. And to make sure that you don’t get bit by them, you must learn the technique to pick them up from the rear of the shell. As stinkpot releases the foul smell (a lot of bad smell), you will have to clean the tank more frequently than you realize. Change the Food – Some common musk turtles are really picky about their food. Among the fishes, they want salmon the most. They don't need quite as big enclosures as some of their aquatic turtle relatives, and this can make them an appealing choice for those with space limitations. Yes, the stinkpots can also eat pre-made protein pellets, especially the bred captives. As with most reptiles musk turtles need a basking hot spot, 10 degree C hotter than the water, and a good quality UVB light. The are other good turtles, but these are the ones I narrow down to. They stay fairly small throughout their lives reaching sizes between 3 and 5 inches. Due to this, it gets relatively messier as compared to other turtles. We would say that you house turtles with same-gender instead of keeping the opposite ones. The baby and adult common musk turtles are bred under different temperatures conditions. Just give it what the turtle ate the most before this behavior. Furthermore, small mice and chicks are also a good source of protein for the turtles. They can be feisty and, if they feel threatened, they release a foul and musty odor. However, it is not common to have sea turtles as pets.This is for good reason. Secondly, we have the water temperature. Land turtles are not the only type of turtle kept as a pet. They can be quite shy and aren't turtles that will enjoy frequent handling. Countless pet turtles die from being kept in … Musk turtles are relatively small turtles with a blackish-brown carapace with a high-domed shell. Pro Tip – Do not give live aquatic food, especially snails, to the turtles that were bred in captivity. Some people can’t make such huge commitments. The Stinkpot Common Musk Turtle is actually one of the smallest turtles … To prevent such circumstances, buy the well-bred turtles as they are kept with humans since birth. A Western Painted Turtle could appeal if you want a turtle that is distinctive and attractive to look at. Infections – Bacterial and viral infections are common in turtles, especially those who have lived in captivity since birth. A basking temperature of 28-32C (82-90F) should be provided with an air temperature of 24-28C (75-82F) . No matter the behavior, turtles must be handled with care and respect. Things You Should Know before Getting a Pet Turtle: Turtles are not companion animals like cats and dogs. Moreover, the common musk turtles will keep the habitat clean by eating the insects and other pesky aquatic beings. You need to love the captive ones more than the wild ones. Scientific Name: Trachemys scripta scripta, Adult Size: Adult males from 5 to 9 inches long. Turtles do not really interact with or particularly like humans. But take care that the dried foods can be shrimp or meat protein. Dystocia implies that the female turtle is not able to lay eggs. Yet another popular species is the musk turtle, which seldom grows beyond a length of 5 – 6 inches. They need to get some light almost every day. Now, we’ll get to the habitat inside the tank. As they mature, it can be easier to provide them with the space they need outside. Their needs aren't as complex as most of the aquatic species. The snapping turtle is a recognizable favorite breed, and some people do choose to keep the snapping turtle as a pet. Some General Health Problems Troubling your Turtle, Please think before you buy as they need commitment. Their housing needs are similar to that of the Red-Eared Slider. Other than crickets, your pet turtle will also love to eat Dubia cockroaches and locusts. Females between 8 and 13 inches long, Denise Chan / Flckr / Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0). Hi, I am Elise McDonald, a wildlife blogger, and author. Turtles make for great pets and are very rewarding to keep. Musk turtles. Even in adulthood, they grow about 3 to 5 inches and have a life expectancy of over 50 years. They do need a decent sized enclosure though, and this means they're often best suited to being kept in an outdoor environment. Know that different turtle species require different temperatures. If you do choose to purchase a turtle or tortoise, choose the species carefully. Living in their natural habitat, musk turtles often get nasty. They also need a fresh and varied diet to prevent Vitamin A and D3 deficiencies. The docile nature of this species makes it one of the most popular pet turtles in American households. However, you must not underestimate the amount of care these pets require. If you also have your mindset to bring a musk turtle in your home, then prepare yourself and learn everything about them in this guide. Live aquatic insects are a staple for the common musk turtles, apart from their favorite, crickets, they like earthworms, snails, mollusks, and other aquatic insects. Spotted turtles. Map Turtles tend to be quite hardy and less prone to health issues than some species. It’ll not only be easier to clean but lend them enough space to walk around and explore. Turtles are often marketed as low-maintenance pets, but the truth is that they need special care and a lot of room to grow. To prevent the harassment from happening, you’ll need to separate them or keep them in different tanks. Check the Temperature – Common musk turtles have body sensitivity to coldness, the turtle won’t eat if the temperature of the pool tank is lower or cold. That’s very vast according to me. Thus, even a slightest of discrepancy in their diet, habitat, and surroundings can lead to problems. I've been working with the National Wildlife Federation for the past five years. One of the most appealing aspects of keeping musk turtles is that they obtain a far smaller adult size; adults normally reach a shell length of around 3.5-5” in total, with males typically being slightly larger than the females. Light is essential to break down the Vitamin D3. Of course, handling can still be stressful for them, so this should only be done when needed. Moreover, if live food is not available, dried foods and other packet-based foods will also work. Moreover, you must manually clean the tank every month. So, if you have changed their food to try something new in the past, don’t do that. Since we are on the topic of illnesses, let’s also look at the general health issues that irritate your turtles and force them to behave erratically. They have detailed shell markings. Be Ready for Special Tanks, Special Food, Special Care, How to Take Care of Turtles and Tortoises. Turtles can make interesting pets, but they aren't a commitment that should be taken on lightly. Turtles Live a Long Life. Good luck, enjoy and please keep me … Musk Turtles are pretty easy to keep since they don't grow extremely large like RES, you just have to find food which they can eat at such a small size. However, finding the best pet turtle for your situation is vital to your success as a reptile keeper. Please send me some details on diet, tank size, temperature etc. Keep in mind that your pet will mostly interact with you only at feeding time. Also turtles are look at pets like fish not cuddle pets so you shouldn't be handling it much anyway. However, tackling hypovitaminosis A is simple. Sometimes, people tend to buy a couple of turtles to ensure that their pets don’t feel lonely during their time in captivity. ... U.S. mud and musk turtles, and male red-eared sliders, she says. Yes, even though the common musk turtles are a bit choosy about what they eat, giving them a combination of different kinds of foods can work. A good filtration system, however, facilitates less frequent changing. Apart from this their diet consists of aquatic invertebrates particularly freshwater clams, crayfish and even insects found in water. Like Musk Turtles, they aren't particularly strong swimmers, so their water should not be too deep. Musk turtles exist in several species, including Loggerhead, Common, Razorback, and Flattened. Learn how to create a happy, healthy home for your pet. These worms do not affect the turtle’s health as much as the tapeworm would do. There are a wide variety of turtle species, and some make better pets than others. Considering the fact that they are not strong swimmers, they tend to stay in the shallows and prefer spending most of their day in the water. Sidenecks can be curious turtles that, if you don't force interactions, won't scuttle away to hide when you come to observe them. Common Musk Turtles are classed as nearly entirely aquatic, they will venture onto land to bask occasionally and therefore a small rock protruding from the water should be efficient. Keeping turtles as pets have negative sides, too. Musk turtles represent one of the turtles best suited as pets. These turtles can be shy, but they don't tend to be aggressive, and with the right gentle interactions and minimal handling, you can start to see their personality come out. They aren't brightly colored like other turtles, but they are neat pets. That’s why; Mother Nature has provided them the way to escape the predators by using the strong, repelling, and foul smell. Out of the plants, you can give them duckweed and elodea frequently. Remember that Stinkpots are aquatic animals that are good for observation. Feed bowl. Ask your local pet store for a water testing kit to know the cleanliness levels of the water. Lighting. They're a long term commitment though, with some living to be over 100 years of age! So the question arises what do Musk Turtles eat or what is their diet? So, a strong water filter is essential. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases, Learn about Stinkpot’s Behavior and Temperament. So, after you get them from a store, make sure that you wash your hands each time after handling them. It will need UV lighting and a good water filtration system. If you are buying a young turtle, you won’t need a large aquarium in the beginning. Illness – The refusal to eat food may not always be behavioral or thermal; sometimes, a health issue or disease can also dissuade them from eating at all. Because of their popularity, they're relatively easy to come by. So, do not rush with anything. 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