Do you have a backyard pond? If so, you may be wondering what type of turtle is the best to put in it. There are many different species of turtles that can live in a pond, but not all of them are suitable for every pond. In this blog post, we will discuss the 10 best pond turtles for your backyard pond. We’ll give you a brief description of each one, as well as some tips on how to care for them. So if you’re thinking about adding a turtle or two to your pond, read on!
Related Article: Can Turtles And Fish Live Together?
Can turtle live in ponds?
Turtles are freshwater reptiles that can live in both ponds and aquariums. They are known to be great swimmers and enjoy basking in the sun. Pond supplies them with a much larger living space and at the same time, it provides them with plenty of UAV/UVB through natural sunlight. Also, it is much easier for them to find food in ponds, so it is a complete package of nourishment and shelter for turtles.
If you’re thinking of getting a pond turtle for your backyard pond, here are the top ten best pond turtles that we recommend.
Best turtles for outdoor pond
If you’re pondering which turtles are best for your backyard pond, we’ve got the top ten recommendations for you! These turtles are all great pond turtles that will thrive in an outdoor pond environment.
Here are the top ten best pond turtles:
Red-eared slider turtle
The red-eared slider turtle is a pond turtle that is best for backyard ponds. They are one of the most popular pond turtles because they’re easy to care for and they’re very active. They can grow up to 12 inches long and they live for 20-30 years.
Red-eared slider turtles are carnivores and they eat a variety of foods including insects, worms, and fish. They are also known to eat aquatic plants.
Red-eared slider turtles are tough creatures and can survive in a wide range of temperatures and habitats. They are also known to be very good swimmers.
Red-eared sliders also need a basking area where they can get out of the water and bask in the sun. You can use a rock, a log, or even a floating dock for this. Make sure turtles have accessibility to this basking area so they can get out of the water when they need to.
The ideal water temperature for the RES turtle is 75-85 degrees F. If water gets below 50 degrees F then these turtles may start brumation (a state of hibernation).
Painted turtle
The Painted turtle is one of the most popular pond turtles. It’s a medium-sized turtle with a lifespan of 20 to 40 years. They’re omnivorous, which means they eat both plants and animals. Painted turtles are also one of the easiest pond turtles to care for.
One of the reasons why the Painted turtle is so popular is because they’re one of the most beautiful pond turtles. They have a dark green shell with yellow and red stripes. The bottom of their shell is usually red or orange.
Painted turtles are semi-aquatic, which means they spend a lot of their time in the water. They’re native to North America and can be found in slow-moving rivers, ponds, and lakes.
These turtles do not require an additional heater as they can tolerate a wide range of temperatures. They can also withstand long periods of drought by aestivating ( burying themselves in the mud).
If you’re looking for a pond turtle that’s easy to care for and is also very beautiful, then the Painted turtle is a great choice.
Common map turtle
The common map turtle (Graptemys geographica) is a species of pond turtle that is native to North America. It gets its name from the map-like markings on its shell. The common map turtle is a medium to large pond turtle with an average adult size of 12-15 inches. It is a semi-aquatic turtle and does best in ponds with a water depth of at least 18 inches. The common map turtle is an omnivorous pond turtle and will eat a variety of food items including insects, snails, fish, and aquatic plants.
The common map turtle is a popular pond turtle for many reasons. It is a beautiful pond turtle with unique shell markings. It is also a hardy pond turtle that is easy to care for.
The water temperature for the common map turtle should be between 75-85 degrees Fahrenheit. The pond should also have a basking area for the turtles to bask in the sun. A basking platform or log placed in the pond will work well for this.
If you are looking for a medium-size pond turtle for your backyard pond, the common map turtle is a great choice.
Yellow-bellied slider
The yellow-bellied slider turtles are native to the southeastern United States. They’re one of the most popular pond turtles because they’re easy to care for and are very active. It gets its name from the yellow stripes on its belly and sides.
This pond turtle can grow up to 12 inches in length and can live for more than 20 years. It’s an omnivore which means that it will eat both plants and animals. Most part of their diet consists of insects, snails, and small fish.
These turtles are great swimmers and they’re known to bask in the sun for hours. They’re also very active so it’s best to give them a large enough pond to swim.
Yellow-bellied sliders turtles need a water temperature of 75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit and a basking spot with a temperature of 95 degrees. If you live in an area with a colder climate, you’ll need to provide a pond heater for your turtle.
Out of all the pond turtles on this list, the yellow-bellied slider is the best pond turtle for kids because they’re very gentle. They’re also one of the most popular turtles in the pet trade.
Common snapping turtle
The common snapping turtle is a large freshwater turtle of the family Chelydridae. It is native to eastern North America and can be found from southeastern Canada to the Gulf of Mexico. It is one of the heaviest turtles in North America and has a large, powerful beak.
The common snapping turtle is a large, dark-colored turtle with a long neck and tail. It has a carapace (upper shell) that is brown, gray, or black in color and a plastron (lower shell) that is yellowish-brown. The common snapping turtle gets its name from its habit of snapping at anything that comes near it, including humans.
The common snapping turtle is a popular pet turtle due to its unique appearance and personality. However, it is important to note that this turtle can be quite aggressive and is not recommended for beginners. If you are looking for a pet turtle that is more docile, then you may want to consider another species.
Snapping turtles can reach up to a size of 18-20 inches and can live for up to 30 years in captivity. These turtles can be fed a diet of live fish, crickets, shrimps, crayfish, earthworms, and commercial food as well.
The common snapping turtle is a popular choice for pond turtles due to its size and aggressive nature. If you are looking for a pond turtle that is sure to make a splash, then the common snapping turtle is a good choice for you.
European pond turtle
If you live in Europe, then the European pond turtle is a great choice for your backyard pond. As their name suggests, these turtles are native to Europe and can be found in countries like France, Spain, and Portugal. They are also known as the pond slider turtle and can grow up to 18 inches in length. Females are usually larger than males and can live up to 40 years in captivity.
European pond turtles have a dark brown or black shell with orange, yellow, or red spots. These pond turtles are semi-aquatic and prefer slow-moving waterways like ponds and lakes. In the wild, they are mainly found in ponds and marshes but can also be found in slow-moving rivers.
They are omnivorous and their diet consists of aquatic plants, insects, snails, and small fish. In some countries, European pond turtles are banned from being kept as pets due to their declining population in the wild.
If you’re looking for a pond turtle that’s native to Europe, the European pond turtle is a great choice.
Eastern mud turtle
The eastern mud turtle is a semi-aquatic species of turtle that is native to the southeastern United States. They are one of the smaller pond turtles, with an average length of only four inches. Despite their small size, they are very active and playful turtles.
Mud turtles are not good swimmers and prefer to stay near the bottom of the pond. They are omnivorous turtles and their diet consists of plants, insects, and fish.
Mud turtles are very easy to care for and make great pond turtles. They are one of the few pond turtle species that can tolerate cold weather and usually brumate in the winter.
Eastern mud turtles have a dark, olive-green shell with a black stripe that runs down the center of their back. They have a yellow or orange stripe that runs from their chin to their neck.
While these are the best small size pond turtles but at the time they can be aggressive to other pond mates. So, it’s better to introduce only one mud turtle per pond.
Japanese pond turtle
The Japanese pond turtle is a popular pet among turtle enthusiasts. It’s one of the most docile species and is known to live for over 30 years. They’re also one of the most active pond turtles and love to swim and bask in the sun.
Japanese pond turtles grow to be about four to eight inches long and can be found in a variety of colors including black, green, brown, and yellow.
These are native to East Asia and can be found in countries like China, Japan, and Korea. Japanese pond turtles are omnivores and their diet consists of insects, worms, fish, and plants.
If you’re looking for a pond turtle that’s both beautiful and lively, the Japanese pond turtle is a great choice. Just be sure to provide them with plenty of space to swim and bask.
Musk pond turtle
The musk pond turtle is a great choice for your backyard pond. It’s a small to medium-sized turtle that only grows to about six inches in length. This turtle is native to North America and can be found in many different habitats including ponds, lakes, and rivers.
The musk pond turtle is a shy turtle but is also very active. It’s a great pond turtle for beginners because it’s easy to care for and doesn’t require a lot of space. These turtles have a dark brown or black shell with a light-colored underside. Their diet consists of insects, worms, and small fish.
If you’re looking for a pond turtle that’s a little more unique, the musk pond turtle is a great choice. Its small size and active personality make it a great addition to any backyard pond.
River cooter turtle
The River cooter turtle (Pseudemys concinna) is a large species of pond turtle that can grow up to 18-20 inches in carapace length. They are a popular pond turtle choice because of their docile temperament and ease of care. River cooter turtles are omnivorous and will eat a wide variety of pond plants and animals.
River cooter turtles are native to the southeastern United States but have been introduced to other parts of the country. They prefer slow-moving freshwater rivers, lakes, and ponds with soft muddy bottoms and plenty of aquatic vegetation. River cooter turtles are semi-aquatic and spend most of their time in the water but will bask on logs or rocks to soak up some UVB/UVA rays.
River cooter turtles are one of the best pond turtles for beginner turtle enthusiasts. If you’re looking for a pond turtle that is easy to care for and has a docile personality, then the river cooter turtle is a great choice.
Considerations before adding turtle to the pond
If you are planning to add a turtle to your pond, then you need to consider a few things. By keeping the following point in your mind, you will make sure that your pond is ready for a turtle.
Pond size- The pond should be a minimum of 100 gallons or more, the bigger the pond the better. This is to ensure that the pond can accommodate the turtle as it grows and to provide enough space for the other pond inhabitants such as fish.
Pond depth- The pond should be at least 18 inches deep, this is to allow the turtle to dive and forage for food. However, 18 inches is the least for a pond, the pond can be deeper but make sure that there is a shallow area for the turtle to bask in.
Basking area– The pond should have a basking area for the turtle to get out of the water and dry off. The basking area should be large enough for the turtle to completely get out of the water and should be in an area where the turtle can get direct sunlight.
Pond filtration– A pond filter is a must, turtles are messy eaters and will make the pond water dirty quickly.
Pond plants– pond plants are not a must but they are a great addition to the pond, turtles love to hide in them and eat them.
Turtle pond mates– You can add other pond animals such as fish, frogs, and newts. But be careful not to add animals that will eat the turtle or compete with the turtle for food.
Pond safety– The pond should be safe for the turtle, this means that there should be no predators that can get to the pond such as raccoons or herons. The pond should also be escape-proof, this means that the pond should have a fence around it or be in an area where the turtle can not escape.
By keeping these points in mind, you will be sure that your pond is ready for a turtle.
FAQs:
Can you put turtles in a koi pond?
Yes, you can put turtles in a koi pond but there are a few things you need to take into consideration. Large koi fish can compete with turtles for food and they may also harm the turtles with their long fins. So, if you have pond turtles that are less than four inches, it would be best to keep them in a pond that does not have any fish. Similarly adding a large size or aggressive turtle species could harm or even kill your koi fish too.
A few other things to consider are:
- The pond needs to be big enough to accommodate the turtles.
- The pond needs to have a shallow and deep end so the turtles can bask in the sun.
- The pond needs to have a filtration system to remove the turtle waste.
- You need to make sure the pond has plenty of hiding spots for the turtles.
If you have all the things in check, adding pond turtles to your koi pond can be a great idea. They will help control the algae growth and in turn, keep the pond clean.
How many turtles should be in a pond?
This really depends on the size of your pond. A good rule of thumb is to have no more than one turtle per ten gallons of pond water. So, if you have a pond that is 200 gallons, you should have no more than 20 turtles in it. This will ensure that your pond turtles have enough room to swim around and be comfortable.
Another factor to consider is the type of pond turtle you have. Some pond turtles, like slider turtles, can get quite large. As a result, you may need to adjust the number of pond turtles you have based on the size of your pond and the size of the turtles.
You also need to consider the other animals in your pond. If you have fish, you will need to have fewer pond turtles. This is because pond turtles are natural predators of fish. So, if you have a pond that is full of fish, you may only be able to have one or two pond turtles.
Can I put baby turtles in a pond?
One of the most common questions pond owners ask is whether they can put baby turtles in their pond. The answer is yes, but there are a few things you need to keep in mind.
First, when adding baby turtles to your pond, be sure to introduce them slowly and in small numbers. Baby turtles are very delicate and adding too many at once can overwhelm and stress them out.
Second, make sure your pond is large enough to accommodate the number of turtles you plan on adding. Baby turtles grow quickly and will need plenty of space to swim and bask.
Finally, ensure your pond has plenty of hiding places and plants for the turtles to hide in. Baby turtles are very vulnerable to predators and need places to feel safe and secure. By providing them with plenty of hiding places, you can help them feel comfortable and secure in their new home.
Conclusion
Turtles are great animals to have in your backyard pond and can provide you with years of enjoyment. Be sure to do your research before purchasing a turtle so that you can choose the best one for your pond size and climate. With proper care, your pond turtles will thrive and bring you years of happiness.
