Processed and dried foods are cleaned and treated to make them safer for the turtles. Lastly, female turtles may be suffering from dystocia if they are not eating. 55-gallon tank and ideal environments are 50% water and 50% land and basking log. No matter the behavior, turtles must be handled with care and respect. But not always. The basking temperature 82℉ to 90℉ is ideal, whereas the air temperature to complement basking must be 75℉ to 85℉. Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0). That’s why; Mother Nature has provided them the way to escape the predators by using the strong, repelling, and foul smell. Because they like to eat while swimming, selecting food that can be easily lifted out of the water if it isn't eaten is a good choice to help keep the tank clean for longer. I have been fascinated by our natural world and am here to share that wonder with you. Apart from this their diet consists of aquatic invertebrates particularly freshwater clams, crayfish and even insects found in water. The breeders take care of the eggs and the hatchlings from the day they are born. Their care requirements are similar to the Red-eared Slider, although they're smaller and don't require such a large enclosure. 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. Get a 30 gallons tank and keep them in it. Moreover, if live food is not available, dried foods and other packet-based foods will also work. Aside from snapping turtles and softshells I would say musk are the next worst about biting but every turtle is different. Living in their natural habitat, musk turtles often get nasty. The scientific name Sternotherus Odaratus, Musk Turtles, belongs to the Kinosternidae family. The best place where you can find musk turtles is from turtle breeders. Mississippi Map Turtles have a distinctive dorsal fin running along their shell, and this is why they're also sometimes referred to as the 'Sawback'. There are a wide variety of turtle species, and some make better pets than others. They also need a fresh and varied diet to prevent Vitamin A and D3 deficiencies. 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 Wood Turtle is known for being very friendly, with the right handling and interaction, and pretty hardy. Sternotherus odoratus is a species of small turtle in the family Kinosternidae.The species is native to southeastern Canada and much of the Eastern United States.It is also known commonly as the common musk turtle, eastern musk turtle, or stinkpot due to its ability to release a foul musky odor from scent glands on the edge of its shell, possibly to deter predation. Living in their natural habitat, musk turtles often get nasty. In addition to these turtles, other types of turtles that are suitable for pets include the mud turtle, green turtle, terrapin, and musk turtle. That’s very vast according to me. This is one of the reasons that they're best kept indoors. Just give it what the turtle ate the most before this behavior. The snapping turtle is a recognizable favorite breed, and some people do choose to keep the snapping turtle as a pet. They aren't particularly interactive or cuddly creatures, they can carry diseases, and with their famously long lifespans, they may even outlive you. The species is vulnerable and noticeably declining in some areas because of threats like water pollution and habitat fragmentation. Turtles are fascinating, quiet and relatively undemanding in nature. Musk turtles exist in several species, including Loggerhead, Common, Razorback, and Flattened. Outside the pool, there are two things that you need to take care of, the basking temperature and air temperature. 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. They tend to be a relatively healthy turtle, although they don't have such a long life expectancy. Turtles come in all shapes and sizes and this list of the best pet turtles contains just some of the species that make for great pets. Parasites Induced Problems – There are many parasites already thriving within the body of aquatic animals. They have two prominent yellow lines that run from the snout to its neck, on both sides of its eyes. Common Musk Turtles are currently the top choice among aquatic turtle species. Can I give a mixed diet to my turtle? Out of the plants, you can give them duckweed and elodea frequently. A large shallow water dish. The baby and adult common musk turtles are bred under different temperatures conditions. However, it is not common to have sea turtles as pets.This is for good reason. For best results, add 40% of meats (live or dried) with 20% of vegetables and 40% of pellets. aquatic turtles like sliders and painteds get up to 10 inches long. We would say that you house turtles with same-gender instead of keeping the opposite ones. They also need a diet that is high in protein, comprising of plenty of meat along with leafy greens. Read about them here and learn what you can do to make their stay in your home fulfilling and happy. However, things can get bad very quickly, including a lot of weight in a lot less time. UVA and UVB lighting allow turtles to process vitamins and nutrients as well as calcium. Are musk turtles endangered? Red Eared Sliders are one of the most popular of all the aquatic turtle species. They eat ails, fish, bloodworms, mealworms, and many other foods. Like the mud turtles, musk turtles will live to be around 50 years old. But the live food is eaten just as Mother Nature had intended them to be. Infections – Bacterial and viral infections are common in turtles, especially those who have lived in captivity since birth. It’ll not only be easier to clean but lend them enough space to walk around and explore. ... U.S. mud and musk turtles, and male red-eared sliders, she says. What to do if the turtle refuses to eat anything? Inside the room, you may need to customize the temperature so that they are better adjusted to the surroundings. So, if you get this turtle as a companion during childhood years, it is most likely to reside with you for a long time. Common Musk Turtles make great pets, but because they can emit an offensive liquid and odor as a defense mechanism, and because they will sometimes try to bite you, you should be careful when you handle them. Spotted Turtles reach size of 3.5 to 5 inches. Male musk turtles are often too-eager and tend to harass the female. The Reeve's Turtle is probably one of the most sociable of all the turtles on this list. Females between 8 and 13 inches long, Denise Chan / Flckr / Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0). Crickets. You can keep them in small containers and observe them from a distance as long as they are 6 to 12 months old. Turtles do not really interact with or particularly like humans. Diet. They can be feisty and, if they feel threatened, they release a foul and musty odor. Because of their popularity, they're relatively easy to come by. Also turtles are look at pets like fish not cuddle pets so you shouldn't be handling it much anyway. So, if you bring the wild ones into your home, they won’t be happy about it and might try to bite you frequently.