A Roundup of 18 Common Turtle Species: A Must-Read Guide for Beginner Turtle Keepers

There are simply too many turtle species in the world to list them all. Below are introductions to 18 common turtles, each with its own unique characteristics. Which one do you like?

1. Chinese Pond Turtle

The Chinese Pond Turtle, also known as the Zhonghua Cao Gui, is a genuine native Chinese turtle. It is hardy, resilient, and inexpensive, making it one of the most common turtles in flower and bird markets. After a few years, when male Chinese Pond Turtles reach sexual maturity, their entire bodies will turn black, becoming what we commonly call a melanistic turtle.

2. Red-eared Slider

The Red-eared Slider is also a common turtle in flower and bird markets. It is inexpensive, hardy, and resilient. However, this turtle is an invasive alien species. Do not release it into the wild, as it will cause damage to local ponds.

3. Yellow-margined Box Turtle

This is a type of box turtle with a particularly beautiful carapace that exudes a noble aura. Among them, the Anhui Yellow-margined Box Turtle, or An-yuan, is even more valuable.

The Yellow-margined Box Turtle is omnivorous, enjoying meat, fruits, and vegetables. It also has good interactivity with people, making it an irresistible turtle for enthusiasts. However, in recent years, due to the implementation of national protection laws, it is illegal for individuals to keep wild Yellow-margined Box Turtles. Therefore, one can only keep captive-bred ones and must obtain a certificate.

4. Red-cheeked Mud Turtle

This is a turtle that looks like an egg. It has a long, oval-shaped carapace, and its head and limbs can fully retract inside. Its face is pink, hence the name Red-cheeked Mud Turtle. It prefers deep water and is quite fierce, but it is small and very cute.

5. Flame Turtle

This is a turtle that likes to be herbivorous. When young, it looks similar to a Red-eared Slider, but its color turns red as it grows. They are highly adaptable, are super eaters, and grow quickly. They love to eat water spinach, bok choy, spinach, and sweet potato leaves. Watching them eat big mouthfuls of vegetables is super therapeutic.

6. Common Musk Turtle

The Common Musk Turtle is a type of musk turtle. Among musk turtles, its price is relatively cheaper. It has a smaller body size and can be housed in a small aquarium, making it very cute.

7. Map Turtle

There are too many varieties of map turtles, with about a dozen or so. A heating rod is required to keep map turtles in the winter. They like deep water and are quite timid. You need enough patience to raise them well.

8. Yellow Pond Turtle

This turtle is very popular among turtle enthusiasts. It has vibrant colors, a cute appearance, and is a native Chinese turtle. Its colors change a lot during its growth process, always bringing surprises. In the past, its price was hyped up to be very high, but it has now stabilized.

9. Golden Coin Turtle

Also known as the Chinese Three-striped Box Turtle. It is a Class II State Key Protected Animal. Therefore, if you want to keep one, you need the relevant permits. The water doesn’t need to be too deep; a level just over the carapace is sufficient. Its appearance is golden yellow with a red underside, which is very beautiful. It is a very docile turtle and prefers clean water quality.

10. Razor-backed Musk Turtle

A young Razor-backed Musk Turtle is endearingly goofy and cute, but an adult one can be a bit intimidating and has an aggressive nature. It is quite timid, with a sharp, pointed carapace, giving it a unique appearance. It is also a type of musk turtle.

11. Snapping Turtle

The Snapping Turtle is a very fierce turtle, and men generally like to keep such fierce turtles. It grows relatively fast and has astonishing bite force. Even if raised from a young age, it recognizes no one and cannot be casually teased, or you risk having your finger bitten off. It must not be released into the wild, or it will cause devastating destruction to ponds.

12. Painted Turtle

The Painted Turtle is a small-sized turtle with bright, beautiful colors. It is divided into the Eastern Painted Turtle, Western Painted Turtle, Southern Painted Turtle, and Midland Painted Turtle, and each has its own merits in appearance.

13. Pig-nosed Turtle

In large aquariums, some people like to keep a Pig-nosed Turtle. The Pig-nosed Turtle is a deep-water turtle that looks a bit like a soft-shelled turtle but is much better looking. In recent years, it has also been listed as a protected animal, requiring relevant permits to be kept.

14. Chinese Stripe-necked Turtle

The Chinese Stripe-necked Turtle is also a genuine native Chinese turtle. Its habits are similar to the Chinese Pond Turtle; it is hardy and resilient, and generally grows faster than the Chinese Pond Turtle. It is not prone to illness. While Chinese Pond Turtles are susceptible to shell rot, the Chinese Stripe-necked Turtle is much better in this regard.

15. Doughnut Turtle

Doesn’t the name itself sound appealing? Yes, the Doughnut Turtle is super cute when it’s young, with a round carapace and bright colors. It is a relatively easy turtle to keep. The Doughnut Turtle is a large freshwater turtle and can grow very big; large turtles are not as cute as they were when they were young.

16. Narrow-bridged Musk Turtle

The Narrow-bridged Musk Turtle is known as the King of the Musk Turtles. It is very endearingly goofy, but also very fierce. It likes to eat meat. Its price is relatively high.

17. Sulcata Tortoise

This is a tortoise that has good interactivity and a very nice appearance. Many people used to keep them. It is a protected animal and requires a permit for keeping.

18. Yellow-spotted River Turtle

This is a tropical turtle that likes to live in deep water. Therefore, a Yellow-spotted River Turtle is often included in large tropical fish tanks. It has several yellow patterns on its head, making it very endearingly goofy and cute. You need a permit to keep one.

Keeping turtles is a personal hobby that can help you relax and bring you joy. No matter which species, any turtle you like is a good turtle.