Fresh Water Turtle Facts

Turtles are one of the most diverse groups of reptiles on the planet. Equipped with shells and scales, turtles can range from completely aquatic animals like the green sea turtle to totally terrestrial animals like the redfoot tortoise to everything in between, like map turtles who spend an equal amount of time in water and on land. There are a number of facts you should consider when researching freshwater turtles, particularly if you plan on keeping one as a pet.

  1. Basics

    • Turtles are reptiles that are characterized by a bony shell that extends out from their ribs and covers their back. This shell acts as a shield against potential predators and grows as the turtle grows. These unique animals typically spend time both in water and on land, depending on what sort of turtle it is, and have limbs specialized for their environments. The word "turtle" has become somewhat of a generic term that also encompasses many tortoises, like the box turtle.

    Definition

    • Water turtles, or aquatic turtles, are turtles that spend a majority of their time in the water. Slider turtles, painted turtles and snapping turtles are all examples of freshwater aquatic turtles, while sea turtles are saltwater turtles. These turtles usually have smaller, webbed claws and slimmer, more streamlined shells that allow them to move through the water. In captivity, water turtle habitats are usually about 2/3 water and 1/3 land, with several basking spots and well-filtered water provided.

    Size

    • Freshwater turtles vary greatly in size according to species. Some, like alligator snapping turtles, can reach up to three feet in length and weigh an average of 160 pounds. Most freshwater turtles, however, only grow from around 12 to 18 inches in shell length and weigh only a few pounds. The smallest freshwater turtles are the musk turtles, which grow to only about inches long.

    Diet

    • Turtles are omnivores, meaning that they eat both plant matter and meat. In the wild, many freshwater turtles will venture onto land to eat insects like earthworms or other slow-moving bugs, while in the water turtles may eat small fish, salamanders, small frogs and virtually anything they can grab.

    Temperature

    • Turtles, like all reptiles, are exothermic, meaning that they cannot produce their own body heat and instead rely on outside sources like the sun. Many turtles spend their days basking on rocks in the sunlight. In captivity, water turtles usually need a submersible water heater to keep their water warm. In the wild, freshwater turtles will go into hibernation when things get too cold, burying themselves in dirt or mud to conserve body heat until the following spring.