Dwarf Water Turtles: Do They Exist?

There are several species of dwarf water turtles in the world, including the Mississippi Mud Turtle, the Bog Turtle, the Common Musk Turtle, the Michigan Spotted Turtle, the Reeve's Turtle, the Diamondback Terrapin, the Razorback Musk Turtle, and the Yellow-Bellied Slider. Dwarf water turtles typically range in size from 2 to 10 inches in length, with some species, such as the Common Musk Turtle, known for their ability to climb and swim. These turtles are popular as pets due to their small size and relatively low maintenance care requirements.

The smallest dwarf water turtles in the world

There are several species of dwarf water turtles in the world, and they make excellent pets as they require less space and are easy to care for. The smallest dwarf water turtles in the world are the musk and mud turtles, which grow to a maximum length of 3 to 5 inches as mature adults.

The musk turtle is a member of the family Kinosternidae and is commonly found in eastern North America, from Florida to Canada, and Texas to Wisconsin. It has a distinctive keel down the centre of its carapace, which tends to flatten out in adults. The musk turtle's head typically has two yellow stripes that extend from the nose to the neck. As the name suggests, musk turtles can emit a foul smell when they are frightened or startled, but this often declines with frequent handling.

Mud turtles are semi-aquatic freshwater turtles that prefer to live in small ponds with muddy bottoms. They have flatter carapaces than musk turtles and are generally olive to dark brown in colour. Like musk turtles, they grow to a maximum length of 3 to 5 inches, making them one of the smallest turtle species in the world.

Both musk and mud turtles are considered carnivorous, although they will also eat some plant matter such as duckweed. In the wild, mud turtles feed on molluscs, crustaceans, worms, fish, and amphibians.

Spotted turtles are also one of the smallest full-size turtles, with males remaining fairly small while females grow larger. They have a beautiful black shell covered with bright yellow spots, and their legs and arms are black with orange or red colouring in between the spots.

Other small dwarf turtles include the Razorback musk turtle, the stinkpot turtle, and many map turtles.

Dwarf water turtles for sale

Dwarf turtles are a great choice for those looking for a pet turtle that stays small and is easy to care for. While there are no truly dwarf water turtles, several species remain relatively small, even into adulthood. Here are some of the most popular dwarf turtles available for purchase:

Common Musk Turtle

The Common Musk Turtle, also known as the "stinkpot" turtle, is a small turtle native to eastern North America. Adults typically reach a size of 2-4.5 inches, with females being slightly smaller than males. These turtles have a dark brown or black dome-shaped carapace with yellow stripes and a reduced-size plastron. In the wild, they can be found in slow-moving rivers, streams, lakes, and ponds.

Captive Care:

• Diet: Small invertebrates like snails, mollusks, worms, crickets, and cut-up fish.
• Habitat: An 18-inch water depth is sufficient. No substrate is necessary, but large gravel can be used.
• Requirements: UVB lamp, basking spot of about 90°F, water temperature between 72°F and 78°F.

Spotted Turtle

The Spotted Turtle, also known as the Michigan Spotted Turtle, has a shell covered in yellow polka dots, which may fade as the turtle ages. Adults typically reach a size of 3-4 inches, with some individuals growing up to 5 inches. This species is commonly found in the great lakes region and the Eastern Coast of the United States.

Captive Care:

• Diet: Pre-killed adult mice, fish (live or frozen), commercially prepared turtle food.
• Habitat: Semi-aquatic, requiring both land and water areas. A 20-gallon aquarium is recommended for one turtle, with more space needed for additional turtles.
• Requirements: Water depth of 3-6 inches, water temperature between 75°F and 85°F, ambient air temperature between 82°F and 86°F, basking spot of 88°F.

Red-Eared Slider Turtle

The Red-Eared Slider Turtle is a popular pet choice due to its small size and hardy nature. Adults typically reach a size of 8-10 inches, with females being larger than males. This species is native to the south-central United States and can be found in ponds, lakes, and slow-moving streams.

Captive Care:

• Diet: Aquatic plants, insects, worms, commercial turtle food pellets, shrimp pellets, crickets, and occasional treats like boiled chicken or fish.
• Habitat: Large tank with access to UVB lighting and basking areas. A minimum of 10 gallons of water per inch of shell is recommended.
• Requirements: Water temperature of around 75°F, hiding places such as rocks or logs, regular water changes (25% weekly).

Painted Turtle

The Painted Turtle, specifically the Western Painted Turtle, is one of the most popular pet turtles that stay small. Adults typically reach a size of 4-6 inches. This species is native to North America and can be found in ponds, lakes, rivers, and streams.

Captive Care:

• Diet: Plant-based foods like aquatic plants, lettuce, kale, and protein sources like insects, worms, fish, shrimp, snails, and crayfish.
• Habitat: Large tank with clean filtered water, access to UVB lighting, and a basking area. A 60-80 gallon tank is recommended for one turtle.
• Requirements: Hiding spots, plants, and rocks, water temperature between 70°F and 80°F.

Dwarf Side-Necked Turtle

The Pink Belly Side-Necked Turtle, or simply the Side-Necked Turtle, is a popular dwarf turtle species. This turtle is unique in that its neck is folded to the side under the shell, rather than straight back. It is native to the Southern Hemisphere, including South America, Australia, and the New Guinea region.

Captive Care:

• Diet: Commercial turtle food, insects, leafy greens, and vegetables.
• Habitat: A 40-gallon aquarium can house one or two turtles, but more space is always preferable.
• Requirements: Water temperature between 65°F and 75°F, basking spot between 85°F and 90°F.

When purchasing dwarf turtles, it is important to buy from reputable breeders who sell captive-bred turtles. Wild-caught turtles are illegal and unethical, and they often carry diseases and parasites. Additionally, remember to consider the adult size of the turtle and provide a suitable habitat with enough space to accommodate its growth.

Dwarf water turtles that stay small

While there may not be any truly dwarf water turtles, there are several species of small water turtles that stay small into adulthood. Here are some examples:

• Spotted Turtles: These turtles typically reach between 3 and 4 inches in length, with some growing up to 5 inches. They are native to Southeastern Canada and the Northeastern United States and are known for their yellow-cream-coloured spots on their black or dark brown shells.
• Mud Turtles: Mud turtles are one of the smallest turtle species in the world, growing to a maximum length of 4 to 5 inches. They are native to Africa, Mexico, and parts of North America.
• Musk Turtles: Musk turtles are another small species, with adults reaching 2 to 4.5 inches in length. They are commonly found in the eastern parts of North America and are known for emitting a foul smell when scared or threatened.
• Common Box Turtles: While not exclusively water-dwellers, box turtles are considered miniature turtles and can be housed in a terrarium or outdoor enclosure. They typically grow to a maximum length of 4 to 7 inches.
• Red-Eared Slider Turtles: These turtles are one of the most common pet turtles and typically grow to between 6 and 12 inches, with females being larger than males. They are native to North America and are known for their red patches around their ears.
• Diamondback Terrapins: Diamondback terrapins are small turtle breeds, with males reaching up to 5 inches and females up to 7 inches in length. They are susceptible to fungal infections and shell diseases, so extra care is needed.
• Razorback Musk Turtles: This subspecies of musk turtles is the largest of the group but still only grows to a maximum length of 5 inches. They are aquatic and occasionally come out to bask in the sun.
• Mississippi Map Turtles: These turtles are strong swimmers and easy to care for, making them a popular choice for pet owners. They typically grow to between 5 and 12 inches in length.
• Bog Turtles: Bog turtles are the smallest natural turtle species in the United States, with the longest recorded specimen reaching only 4.5 inches. They are popular among beginners due to their small size.
• Reeve's Turtles: Also known as Chinese pond turtles, Reeve's turtles grow to a maximum length of 6 inches, with females being larger than males. They are not strong swimmers and require water deep enough to right themselves if they end up on their backs.

These are just a few examples of dwarf water turtles that stay small. When choosing a pet turtle, it is important to consider the specific care requirements of each species and provide them with a suitable habitat and diet.

Dwarf water turtles that are easy to care for

There are several species of dwarf water turtles that are easy to care for. Here are some options:

Musk Turtles

Musk turtles are a great option for beginners. They are small, with a shell length of 3-5 inches, and have a distinctive keel down the centre of their carapace. They are mostly carnivorous, but will also eat plants such as duckweed. In the wild, they feed on molluscs, crustaceans, worms, fish and amphibians. They require a modest tank with a basking platform and a heat lamp, though they don't tend to bask often.

Mud Turtles

Mud turtles are another good choice for beginners. They are semi-aquatic and can be found in both land and water. Their shell is generally olive to dark brown, and their beak is slightly curved. They are one of the smallest turtle species in the world, growing to a length of 3-5 inches. They require a basking platform and lamp, though they don't bask much. They prefer deeper water, around twice their length.

Spotted Turtles

Spotted turtles are among the largest of the mini turtles, but they are still relatively small, with a shell length of 3.5-5 inches. They are poor swimmers and prone to shell rot, so it's important to provide a suitable habitat with a basking area where they can dry off. They require a tank of at least 55 gallons or a medium-sized tub habitat.

Red-Eared Sliders

Red-eared sliders are a popular choice for beginners. They are one of the smallest turtle species, with a shell length of 6-12 inches, and are widely loved for the red marks on either side of their heads. They are strong swimmers and frequent baskers, but they don't like being handled often. They require a large aquarium with a basking spot under a heat lamp, as well as UV light.

Map Turtles

Map turtles are another good option for beginners. They are strong swimmers and easy to care for. They are commonly bred and can be found in pet shops. They have distinctive contour-like patterns on their carapace, limbs and head, and are also known as sawbacks due to the keel that runs the length of their carapace. They require basking spots, UV lighting and an aquarium heater if the water temperature is too low.

When choosing a dwarf water turtle, it's important to buy from reputable captive breeders rather than capturing turtles from the wild, as this can be traumatic and destructive to the ecosystem.

Dwarf water turtles that are affordable

There are several species of dwarf water turtles that are available to buy and are considered affordable. Dwarf water turtles are typically defined as those that stay reasonably small, even as adults.

One of the smallest dwarf water turtles is the Common Musk Turtle, which has a shell length of 3-5 inches as an adult. These turtles are native to North America and can be found in the wild or purchased from a breeder. They are known to emit a foul odour when scared or startled, but this behaviour often declines with frequent handling. Common Musk Turtles are priced between $5 and $50.

Another dwarf water turtle species is the Mud Turtle, which grows to a similar size as the Common Musk Turtle, with a shell length of 3-5 inches. Mud Turtles are semi-aquatic and are known to live in small ponds or muddy bottoms. They can be purchased for $6 to $40.

Spotted Turtles are also considered dwarf water turtles and are one of the smallest full-size turtles found in the USA. They have a beautiful black shell covered with bright yellow spots, and they are fairly easy to care for. The price range for Spotted Turtles is $200 to $600.

Other dwarf water turtle species include the Razorback Musk Turtle, the Stinkpot Turtle, and various Map Turtles. These turtles typically have a shell length of 3-5 inches and are priced affordably, ranging from $5 to $50.

It is important to note that while these dwarf water turtles are considered affordable, there are initial costs and ongoing expenses associated with owning a pet turtle, such as the cost of a tank, lighting, food, and other supplies.

Frequently asked questions