Pet Turtle and Tortoise Care: Water vs Land, Diet, Tank Size and Lifespan

Turtles and tortoises are quiet, long-lived pets, and caring for one can last decades [7]. Tortoises generally live on land, while turtles live mostly in water, so each needs a different home [1][2]. Here is what to know before you start, from the right setup to keeping your family safe.

Turtle and tortoise quick facts

What is the difference between a turtle and a tortoise?

Both belong to the same reptile group [1]. The word "turtle" can mean any member of the group, or more specifically the species that live mostly in water, including sea turtles and freshwater species [2]. "Tortoise" is kept for land species that don't swim [2].

This matters for care. A water turtle needs deep, filtered water and a dry place to bask. A tortoise needs a dry, roomy land enclosure [4][5].

What do pet turtles and tortoises eat?

It depends on the species. Merck's husbandry table lists the red-eared slider as an omnivore that eats mostly plants, plus some insects and other animal food [4]. The tortoises it lists, such as Greek, leopard and red-footed tortoises, eat mainly plants, with only a little animal food [4].

Two things matter most for every species [4][6]:

• The right calcium-to-phosphorus balance in the diet.
• Enough vitamin D3, which also depends on good UVB light.

An imbalance here is the root cause of the most common bone disease in pet chelonians [6]. Ask a licensed vet who treats reptiles to plan a diet for your exact species.

How big a tank or enclosure does a turtle need?

Bigger than most people expect. Small fishbowl-style tanks are not suitable for turtles of any age or size, and turtles and tortoises grow quickly [7].

Merck gives minimum sizes based on shell length, and says enclosures should be "as large as possible" beyond that [4]:

• Tortoises (land): at least 0.2 m² of floor for every 10 cm of shell length [4].
• Fully aquatic turtles: at least 0.25 m³ of space for every 10 cm of shell length [4].

Setting up a water turtle's tank

• Water depth: at least 30 cm for a red-eared slider [4].
• Dry land: about one-third of the enclosure as a dry basking area [4].
• Water temperature range: about 22–27°C for the red-eared slider [4].
• Filtration: a proper filter, not still water. Poor water quality is linked to disease in reptiles [4][5].
• Semi-aquatic species must be able to go fully under water [5].

Setting up a tortoise's enclosure

• Temperature: around 20–28°C for a temperate species such as the Greek tortoise; around 25–30°C for tropical species such as leopard and red-footed tortoises [4].
• Humidity: varies by species, from about 30–50% for Greek and leopard tortoises to 50–90% for the red-footed tortoise [4].
• Substrate: potting soil, leaf litter or a little sand. Alfalfa (rabbit) pellets are also usable, easy to clean and nutritious if eaten [5].

Does my turtle need a UVB lamp and a heat lamp?

Yes, most do. Broad-spectrum UVB light helps most daytime chelonians make vitamin D3 and regulate calcium [4]. Fluorescent UVB bulbs should sit within about 45 cm (18 inches) of the basking spot [5]. Replace them roughly every 9–12 months, because their output fades even while they still light up [4][5].

Give a temperature gradient too: a warmer basking end and a cooler end, so your pet can move to the temperature it needs [5].

Can turtles and tortoises handle the Saudi summer and winter?

Not on their own. The comfortable ranges above top out far below the air and ground temperatures of a Saudi summer [4][5]. As a practical step based on those ranges:

• Summer: give any outdoor enclosure deep, reliable shade. For water turtles, keep the water shaded and deep enough not to heat up like a puddle. Be ready to bring your pet into a cooled room in the hottest hours.
• Winter nights: they can drop below the range that tropical and subtropical species need, such as red-eared sliders and many popular tortoises. A thermostat-controlled heat source, and a water heater for aquatic setups, are usually needed [4][5].

Do turtles hibernate?

Some do. Merck marks some temperate species, such as Greek tortoises and box turtles, as hibernating (also called brumation) [4]. Tropical species, such as leopard and red-footed tortoises, are marked as not needing it [4].

Most pets kept in the Kingdom are tropical or subtropical species, so expect to keep a steady warm range all year [4]. If your species does hibernate naturally, plan it only with a reptile-experienced vet. Poorly managed hibernation carries real health risks.

Can I catch Salmonella from a turtle?

Yes, it's possible, so good hygiene matters for the whole family. The US CDC says people can get sick from Salmonella through contact with reptiles or their environment, including tank water [8]. You don't even have to touch the animal to get sick [8].

Children under 5 should not handle or touch reptiles or their enclosures, because they are at higher risk of serious illness [8]. Adults over 65 and people with weakened immune systems are also more likely to get sick [8].

The CDC's key steps [8]:

• Wash your hands after feeding your pet or handling its food.
• Wash your hands after touching droppings, the tank, tank water, rocks or decorations.
• Change your clothes after handling your pet, before holding a baby or young child.

In the US, selling turtles with a shell under about 10 cm (4 inches) has been banned since 1975, because small turtles were linked to many Salmonella infections in young children [7][8].

What health problems do turtles and tortoises get?

Most common problems are linked to diet, light and housing, so good setup is the best prevention [4][6].

• Metabolic bone disease: the most common bone disease in pet reptiles, caused by the wrong calcium-to-phosphorus balance, too little vitamin D3 or poor husbandry [6]. Signs include weakness, trouble walking, swollen jaw or leg bones, and fractures [6].
• Shell disease ("shell rot"): can cause pitting, reddening or ulcers on the shell [6]. One bacterial form has been linked to feeding turtles whole crayfish [6].
• Respiratory infection: turtles with pneumonia often have an underlying vitamin A deficiency, so diet matters here too [6].
• Overgrown beak: often tied to poor nutrition or too little calcium, and it can make eating hard [6].
• Parasites: internal parasites can cause appetite and weight problems [6].
• Egg retention: a female may fail to lay her eggs normally, which needs a vet [6]. Females can lay eggs even without a male [3].

See a licensed vet who treats reptiles if you notice loss of appetite, weakness or low energy, discharge from the nose or eyes, laboured or open-mouth breathing, abnormal droppings, or any part of the shell that looks white, soft, oozing or pitted [6][7]. Don't try to treat it at home.

Can I release my turtle into the wild?

Never release a pet turtle or tortoise into the wild. Saudi Arabia has its own wild turtles, including green and hawksbill sea turtles, which are endangered, and native freshwater turtles that are at risk [10]. The government runs active programmes to protect them, with the National Center for Wildlife (NCW) [10].

Never take, buy or keep a sea turtle or a wild native turtle. They are protected wildlife, not pets [9][10]. If you can no longer care for your pet, ask a licensed vet or the NCW about safe options.

Is it legal to keep a turtle or tortoise in Saudi Arabia?

We can't give a yes or no answer for any species. This is guidance only:

• CITES rules usually apply to protected species. Saudi Arabia joined CITES, the international treaty on trade in endangered species, in 1996, and the NCW implements it [9]. Listed species usually need permits to be imported, exported or re-exported [9].
• Tortoises, including the popular Sulcata, are generally covered by CITES, so international trade in them is usually permit-controlled, not free [11].
• We found no official Saudi guide for pet turtles or tortoises. MEWA's pet-import rules, in an unofficial English translation, name only dogs and cats [12].

Before you buy, sell, breed, import, export or move any turtle or tortoise, check the current rules for your exact species with the NCW and MEWA (and customs for travel) [9][12]. Rules can change.

What should I check before getting a turtle or tortoise?

• Commitment: many live 25 to 50-plus years [7]. Plan for who will care for yours long term.
• Species: know whether it's a water turtle or a land tortoise, and its adult size [2][4].
• Legal status: check the rules for that species with the NCW and MEWA first [9][12].
• Source: captive-bred animals are often healthier than wild-caught ones [7]. Never buy a wild-caught native turtle.
• Space and equipment: a large tank or enclosure, a filter, UVB and heat lamps, and a thermostat [4][5].
• Family safety: a plan to keep children under 5 away from the animal and its tank [8].
• Records: ask for any health record the seller or rescue has. Ask your vet whether identification such as a microchip suits your species.
• First check-up: book a visit with a licensed vet who treats reptiles [7].

What does it cost to own a turtle or tortoise?

Plan for the setup and ongoing costs: a large enclosure or tank, filtration, UVB and heat lamps (with UVB bulbs replaced about once a year), a thermostat or water heater, cooling in summer, species-appropriate food, vet check-ups, and an emergency fund [4][5][7]. Because they live so long, these costs continue for decades [7].

Turtle and tortoise fun facts

• A turtle's shell isn't a home it can leave. It's part of its skeleton, made of bone plates fused to the spine [2].
• Shells grow by shedding old scutes or by the scutes expanding, and the growth rings can hint at age [2].
• Shell sizes range from about 8–10 cm to giant species with shells up to about 2.4 m (8 feet) [2].
• Some tortoises have lived up to 150 years, and some water turtles up to 70 [2].

Turtle and tortoise FAQ

How long do pet turtles and tortoises live?

Often 25 to 50-plus years, depending on species [7]. Some tortoises have lived up to 150 years [2].

What is the difference between a turtle and a tortoise?

Tortoises generally live on land, while turtles live mostly in water [1][2].

Can a turtle live in a small bowl?

No. Small fishbowl-style tanks are not suitable for turtles of any age or size [7].

Do turtles need sunlight or a UVB lamp?

Most do. UVB helps them make vitamin D3 and use calcium [4].

Are turtles safe around young children?

Children under 5 should not touch reptiles or their tanks, because of the Salmonella risk [8]. Everyone should wash their hands after contact [8].

How can I tell a male turtle from a female?

In adults, males usually have a longer tail, with the vent closer to the tip [2]. In land species, the underside of a male's shell is curved inward, while a female's is flat [2].