With the improvement of people's living standards, more and more families choose to keep pets to enrich their lives. Among the many pets, the turtle has become a popular choice because of its unique charm and relatively low maintenance difficulty. For 2024, we recommend five popular family-friendly turtle species: the Eastern Box Turtle, the Yellow-Margin Turtle, the West African Side-Necked Turtle, the Diamond-streaked Turtle, and the Red-Faced Egg Turtle.
The first is the Eastern Box Tortoise, a small land tortoise with a bright brown carapace and a distinctive pattern. They are suitable for living in a half-water and half-land environment, and have a simple diet dominated by vegetables, fruits, and insects. Due to their small size, they are well suited for indoor rearing.
This is followed by the yellow-margined turtle, which is characterized by a bright yellow belly and black striped edges. This turtle is adapted to live in warm waters and needs regular sun exposure. Yellow-edged turtles are more active and prefer to swim in the water, but also need a certain area of land for rest and sunbathing.
The third recommendation is the West African side-necked turtle, which has an interesting side-necked habit and dynamic appearance. This turtle is adaptable and can live in a variety of water quality environments, from still-water ponds to slow-flowing rivers. Diet-wise, West African side-necked turtles are carnivorous and prefer to eat fish, shrimp and aquatic insects.
The fourth type is the diamond-patterned turtle, which has a unique diamond-shaped pattern on its dorsal carapace. Diamond turtles are very durable and able to adapt to different water conditions. They also have a more omnivorous diet that includes aquatic plants, worms, insects, and small fish.
The last type is the red-faced egg turtle, which is loved for its gentle nature and ease of care. Red-faced egg turtles need a larger aquarium as well as a dry land area. They have a varied diet that can range from commercial feeds to fresh fruits and vegetables.
Overall, these five species of turtles have their own characteristics and are suitable for the needs of different families. Before choosing, it is important to understand the characteristics and conservation requirements of each type of turtle to ensure that you can provide them with the right living environment and adequate care. Whether you're a newbie or an experienced turtle keeper, these suggested turtle species will be an excellent choice to bring fun and energy to your family.