by Richard Lunsford (& the Turtle Forum membership)

            Hello & welcome to our concise guide to browsing Exotic (non-U.S.A. native) turtles! We cover the most common, popular & highest-interest exotic species by level of overall difficulty to help you pick a pet & prepare for it. This is a browsing article, not a care sheet or in-depth analysis (for in-depth help choosing a good ‘starter’ turtle, read our article on Choosing Your First Turtle (we also have Choosing Your First Land-based Turtle)). Be warned exotics are often harder to find, more expensive & require special conditions (such as tropicals lacking the ability to hibernate, mandating at least winter-time indoor keeping) than native U.S.A. turtles. Therefore, don't directly compare our difficulty rankings for exotics with rankings for U.S. species in our ATP Guide to North American Turtles as Pets (i.e.: European Pond Turtles & RES have similar size, care & medium rankings in their respective articles, but the EPT is harder to find & more expensive). Exotic-keeping is on a whole other level than U.S. temperate species, so they're held to a lower standard when we decide what's 'easy' or 'hard.'

Important Factors to consider assessing Difficulty Level:

1. Hardiness - Hardy turtles (i.e.: African Helmeted Turtles, Golden Thread Turtles) are easier to keep than delicate (i.e.: Argentine snake-necks).

2. Size - Smaller turtles (red-cheeked mud turtles, some Reeves Turtles) are easier to spaciously house indoors than medium/large (Indonesian snake-necks) or huge (some Asian softshells like the Chitra species) species. Caveat: small species mean smaller hatchlings which may be frailer than larger ones (RES).

3. Environmental Needs - Turtles who can handle simple, deep-water aquarium setups (red-bellied short-necks) are easier than those needing palludarium-style (red-cheeked muds) or large mixed environments (Central American Ornate Wood Turtles). Turtles spending a lot of time on land challenge you to consider substrate, humidity & air temp.s more so than aquatics do.

4. Cost - Inexpensive turtles (Reeves, African Helmetted) are easier to get than moderately expensive (Argentine snake-neck) or expensive (Indian Spotted Pond, Fly River Turtles).

5. Ease of Acquisition – Commonly available (Reeves) are more desirable than rare (Indian Spotted Pond) for beginners. Legal protections like CITES & the Endangered Species Act also complicate acquisition (some species are practically 'state-locked').

6. Community-compatibility – Turtles who often do well in mixed setups (Chinese Golden-Thread) are preferable to those needing solo-enclosures (Fly River Turtles).

7. Nutrition – generalist omnivores & carnivores accepting pelleted foods are a better match for the diets keepers offer than strict herbivores or those who demand live foods (some Mata Matas, some snake-neck turtles). Turtles who demand a high-fish diet may be at risk for thiaminase-induced thiamine deficiency & potentially toxic levels of chemicals used to treat commercial feeders for parasites.

8. Captive-Bred vs. Imported & the Parasite Issue - Many exotic species are wild-caught & imported in poor conditions over expended periods (some redirected from food markets!). Such conditions weaken the animal & may allow over-proliferation of parasites which can sicken & kill the turtle. We also don't want exotic parasites proliferating in U.S. captive collections (i.e.: your RES picking up some Asian hookworm from your Reeve's). Most imports should be deparasitized with antibiotic regimens. This may be costly (available to Vet. prescription) & administration to some species quite difficult.

9. Your Situation – You may have situational advantages or disadvantages most people don’t. Some parts of the extreme southern U.S. have a climate allowing year-round outdoor keeping of tropicals in large pens (i.e.: year-round outdoor keeping of red-foot tortoises is easier in southern Florida than Wyoming). A big yard in the southwest may simplify Sulcata ownership. An upper-level apartment with weak floors may not tolerate a huge aquatic setup. A key issue is that many exotics are tropical & can’t hibernate, or natural hibernation conditions aren’t well-known. Many U.S. cities produce moderately hard, alkaline water, making it hard to provide the soft, acidic water desired for some South American species.

10. Information – more so than with U.S. native species, consider how much is known about a given exotic species. The turtle hobby has a growing body of highly skilled enthusiasts but it’s still harder to get good information on breeding Spot-bellied side-necks than southern painted turtles!

11. Breeding - if you have an interest in breeding exotics, you'll want to know how whether they're prolific (i.e.: multiple large clutches of eggs/year), breed readily in captivity & are easily accommodated. For example, the Fly River Turtle is hardly ever bred in captivity because recreating a naturalistic nesting site is very hard to do (not to mention how violent they are to each other!).

Provided Information – In the spirit of light-reading, I’ll provide a brief blurb about each hitting on what’s relevant; common names are hyper-linked to ATP Care Sheets where available. Description briefly sums up size (small, medium, large or a range), significant details if any & type (basking species, bottom walker, terrestrial semi-aquatic (most time spent on land), aquatic semi-terrestrial (most time spend in water), terrestrial). Pro.s lists prime selling points of the species, & Con.s problems with it. Cost is just for the turtle; from online vendors add about $20-25 overnight shipping (for the whole order), & for expo.s add roughly $5-10 entrance fee.

Section I – The Best Starter Turtles.

            Small, fairly hardy, affordable, readily available, simple enclosure needs. Can be kept in tanks minimum 29 gallons (55 for some) & should prosper in 75 gallon+.

1.)    Red-Cheeked Mud Turtle - Kinosternon scorpioides cruentatum (1 of 4 subspecies of the Scorpion Mud Turtle)

Description: Standard moderately-domed 'mud turtle' form with a plain dark-brown carapace, similar to an Eastern mud, but the sides of the head/face are an ornate orange to red. Plastron (plain yellowish) can close completely if turtle not obese. Predominantly carnivorous. Recommend at least 75 gallon 'palludarium-style' tank with more water than land. Native range from southern Mexico into El Salvador, Guatemala & Honduras. Size: (Males are larger) Typically 5-6", but up to 7" SCL.

Pro.s: Strikingly beautiful due to the rich orange/red face/head coloration. Quite small, & much smaller than a white-throat mud. Well-developed plastron provides some protection on land. Fairly prolific (small turtle species tend to have small clutch sizes).

Con.s: Palludarium-style setups with more (shallow) water than land aren't compatible with some other species you may want. Not a hibernator.

Availability & Cost: Somewhat common at online vendors. Hatchlings ~ $30 apiece. I've seen adults ~ $50 apiece.

Known Legalities: None known in U.S.

Helpful Care Resources: World Chelonian Trust's Kinosternon Photo Gallery, Empire of the Turtle's Red-Cheeked Mud Photo & range page, & comparison of red-cheeked, white-throat & scorpion muds.

Photo by Gummylick	Photo by Turtle Pimp

2.)   Scorpion Mud Turtle - Kinosternon scorpioides scorpioides

Description: Small-to-medium moderately domed standard 'mud-turtle' form-factor with a brown carapace & a plastron that can close completely if turtle not obese. The sides of the head/face often have orange-to-red coloration (but less than a red-cheeked mud). Plain plastron. Predominantly carnivorous. Native to Northern South America. Size: (Males are larger) Typically ~ 6-7" SCL, but can get considerably larger (close to 12").

Pro.s: Fairly small (smaller than a white-throat mud). Some may have attractive head/face coloration. Well-developed plastron provides some protection on land.

Con.s: Considerably larger than a red-cheeked mud or most North American muds. Head/face coloration less apt to be as ornate as a red-cheeked or white-throated mud. Mud turtle habitats generally feature fairly shallow water & decent land-sections, which may preclude keeping other species you're interested in (i.e.: don't drop one in a Belize slider tank with nothing but deep water & a basking platform). Not a hibernator.

Availability & Cost: Uncommon in the online pet trade & be warned this is one of 4 sub-species so intergrades are a possibility. One popular vendor offers hatchlings for ~ $15 apiece & said importers offer wild-caughts for ~ $10. Elsewhere I've seen a long-term captive trio (1.2.0) for $120, & adult wild-caught imports for $18 apiece.

Known Legalities: None known in U.S.

Helpful Care Resources: World Chelonian Trust's Kinosternon Photo Gallery, World Chelonian Trust's Kinosternon Photo Gallery, Empire of the Turtle's Scorpion Mud Photo & range page, & comparison of red-cheeked, white-throat & scorpion muds.

3.) White-lipped Mud Turtle - Kinosternon leucostomum (Not a scorpion mud sub-species! There are 2 sub-species of white-lipped mud)

Description: Small-to-medium moderately domed standard 'mud-turtle' form-factor with an brown-to-black carapace & a plain plastron that can close completely if turtle not obese. The sides of the head/face have variably colored blotching/striping/speckling; tend to be light-colored around the jaw edges. Omnivorous but mainly carnivorous. Native to Central America - ranges from Mexico to Nicaragua, Columbia, Ecuador & Peru. Size: Males are larger & can get up to nearly 7" SCL; females up to ~ 6" SCL.

Pro.s: Small. Attractive head/face coloration. Well-developed plastron provides some protection on land. Can aestivate. Mildly prolific (small turtle species tend to have small clutch sizes).

Con.s: Some-what larger than a red-cheeked mud or most North American muds. Appearance quite variable (you can't assume yours will look like one in a photo). Males may be mutually aggressive³⁹. Mud turtle habitats generally feature fairly shallow water & decent land-sections (some spend considerable time on land), which may preclude keeping other species you're interested in (i.e.: don't drop one in a Belize slider tank with nothing but deep water & a basking platform). Not a hibernator.

Availability & Cost: Fairly common at online vendors. I've seen young adults at $25 each, 6"+ adults at $35 each, a hatchling for $30, & an unspecified individual for $20.

Known Legalities: None known in U.S.

Helpful Care Resources: Photos from Costa Rica, Carapace & Plastral Views.

Photo by Kinosternum	Photo by Kimberly

4.) Reeve's Turtle - Chinemys reevesii

Description: Probably the most recommended starter exotic. Medium-sized basking aquatic. Reeve's have moderately domed black-to-brown carapaces with 3 length-wise keels, dark brownish or black plastrons, black skin, a rather 'musk/mud-like' head, whitish stripes on the side of the head & a strong bar across the eye pupil. Overall, looks like a cross between a RES & a stinkpot. Care similar to a RES but with shallower water (up to 10" deep) with resting areas near the surface (like a stinkpot enclosure on a larger scale)  Omnivorous. Recommend at least a 55 gallon tank. Native to China, Korea, Taiwan & Japan. Size: Females to 9" SCL, but males much smaller (Reeve's actually vary a lot; some stay closer to 5", some get over 9").

Pro.s: Hardy with strong appetites. Reputation for being quite personable with humans (for a turtle). Can be kept in medium-sized enclosures. May have some hibernation-capability⁴ but exposing them to cool water is chancy. Available captive-bred.

Con.s: A couple of forum members report they can 'freeze up' in cool water & may pose a drowning risk. In Practical Encyclopedia of Keeping & Breeding Tortoises & Freshwater Turtles (Page 157) Highfield² states males tend to be mutually aggressive (conspecific aggression) & may require separation. Zebeck noted male Reeve's may also be aggressive toward other species (interspecific aggression). Some hatchlings don't swim well so use shallow water.⁴ Some are imports & those should get deparasitization.

Availability & Cost: Common for an exotic. Hatchlings ~ $25-50.

Known Legalities: None known in U.S. It's CITES III in China.

Helpful Care Resources: Asian Turtle Consortium/World Chelonian Trust Care Sheet, California Turtle & Tortoise Club Care Sheet, David Kirkpatrick's Care Sheet, World Chelonian Trust Photo Gallery.

Photo by Richard Lunsford	Photo by Richard Lunsford

Section II – Second Choice Starter Turtles.

            Per Section I but with one or more moderate drawbacks, such as being problem-prone if water quality isn’t high, delicacy as hatchlings or rarity & cost.

1.)    White-Throated Mud Turtle - Kinosternon scorpioides albogulare (1 of 4 subspecies of the Scorpion Mud Turtle)

Description: Medium-sized moderately domed standard 'mud-turtle' form-factor with an olive-to-brown carapace & a plastron that can close completely if turtle not obese & is ornate on hatchlings but often plain in adults. The sides of the head/face often have orange-to-red coloration (but less than a red-cheeked mud). Predominantly carnivorous. Native to Central Central America - ranges from Honduras to Panama. Size: (Males are larger) ~ 7-8" SCL.

Pro.s: Medium-sized. Striking head/face coloration. Well-developed plastron provides some protection on land.

Con.s: Considerably larger than a red-cheeked mud or most North American muds (bulky, too). Mud turtle habitats generally feature fairly shallow water & decent land-sections, which may preclude keeping other species you're interested in (i.e.: don't drop one in a Belize slider tank with nothing but deep water & a basking platform). Not a hibernator.

Availability & Cost: Fairly common at online vendors; one popular vendor offers hatchlings for ~ $17, & said importers charge around $10 for wild-caughts.

Known Legalities: None known in U.S.

Helpful Care Resources: World Chelonian Trust's Kinosternon Photo Gallery, Empire of the Turtle's White-Throated Mud Photo & range page, & comparison of red-cheeked, white-throat & scorpion muds.

Photo by Tom C.	Photo by Tom C.

2.)    European Pond Turtle - Emys orbicularis orbicularis (13 sub-species)

Description: Medium-sized basking aquatic species similar in size, general form & care to red-eared sliders. The have a brown-to-black carapace & skin with a multitude of tiny yellow specks like a Blanding's Turtle (but no bold yellow lower jaw). Omnivorous leaning toward carnivory. Recommend minimum enclosure 75 gallon tank. Native to much of Europe & the Middle East. Size: Up to 8" SCL.

Pro.s: Hardy & cold-tolerant as exotics go. Reputedly intelligent (for a turtle). Care same as RES, which is well-known & straight forward. Can 'strike & suck' to catch prey (including fish). Hibernate in their native range.

Con.s: Some are resistant to eating commercials pellets at first. Tom C. had 3 in a tank beside a similar tank with 2 RES, & the EPT's tank was much more prone to be filthy for unknown reasons. Many are wild-caught imports & should be deparasitized.

Availability & Cost: Somewhat uncommon in the hobby but can be found. Hatchlings ~ $50.

Known Legalities: None known in U.S.

Helpful Care Resources: California Turtle & Tortoise Club's Care Sheet, World Chelonian Trust's Photo Gallery.

	Left-hand pics (Top & Bottom) - Dr. Noll Right-hand top pic - Tom C.

3.)    Chinese Golden Thread (a.k.a. Stripe-neck) Turtle - Ocadia sinensis

Description: Medium-sized basking aquatic species similar in size, general form & care to red-eared sliders. Carapace has a brownish (sometimes greenish) base with 3 broken orangish stripes. Head strongly striped except dark triangle on top. Bar through eye pupil. Tails fairly long in adults & quite long in hatchlings. Omnivorous, with more carnivory in juveniles & more herbivory in adults. Recommend minimum 55 gallon aquarium for a male, 75 for a female. Size: Males 6 - 8", Females up to 10".

Pro.s: Most everything modeled on slider care (so easy for hobbyists to transition to) with a distinctive exotic & fairly ornate look. Fairly cold-hardy. Not as aggressive as RES. Hardy & fairly prolific. Can be had captive-bred. Fairly likely to get along with other turtles & even fish (not great at catching fish).

Con.s: Large & active enough to need a decent-sized enclosure. Despite RES-like care may not swim quite as well so allow for underwater 'furniture' to rest on. Older individuals often much plainer in coloration. Don't try hibernating in captivity¹⁰. Some are wild-caught & should be deparasitized.

Availability & Cost: Fairly common at online vendors. Hatchlings ~ $25 - $50.

Known Legalities: None known in U.S. CITES III in China.

Helpful Care Resources: ATP Care Sheet, World Chelonian Trust's Care Sheet, Turtlepuddle's Care Sheet.

Top Left & Right - Adults for sale at Daytona Captive Reptile Breeders' Expo. '04. Bottom Left - Group of hatchlings for sale at the same expo. Photos by Richard Lunsford	Bottom Right - Adult Plastron View - Photo by J.J.

4.)   African Helmetted Turtle - Pelomedusa subrufa (2 sub-species).

Description: Moderately-domed medium-sized basking side-necked aquatics with a plain brown to grey carapace, long neck & oddly expressive, almost smiling face - imagine a male RES-sized yellow mud turtle with a long neck & you've got it. Omnivorous but largely carnivorous. Recommend at least a 55 gallon tank for one. Given their 'bottom-walker' build, provide means of resting near the surface if desired, & insure they can get air without having to swim in at least part of the tank. Native to Africa & Madagascar (including seasonal ponds, lakes & watering holes, & can aestivate under mud & in part of their range hibernate per Practical Encyclopedia of Keeping & Breeding Tortoises & Freshwater Turtles (Page 216) Highfield²). Size: Up to 8" SCL.

Pro.s: Hardy. Medium-sized. Inexpensive for an exotic. Prolific breeders. Captive-bred available.

Con.s: Can be aggressive. The related genus Pelusios has turtles who grow larger (be careful what you get!). In Practical Encyclopedia of Keeping & Breeding Tortoises & Freshwater Turtles (Page 216) Highfield² states they're an aggressive species. While somewhat cold-hardy when exposed to extended cold, Russ Gurley (Keeping and Breeding Freshwater Turtles Page195) notes they're prone to respiratory problems¹ (so I don't recommend hibernating them). Some are imported & need deparasitization.

Availability & Cost: Fairly common as exotics go. May turn up at pet stores & expo.s. I've seen wild-caught juveniles that haven't been deparasitized for $16 apiece.

Known Legalities: None known in U.S. CITES III in Ghana.

Helpful Care Resources: Yahoo! Discussion Group on genus Pelusios (17 species), Turtles of the World CD Sample Entry on Pelomedusa subrufa³,  World Chelonian Trust's Photo Gallery.

Photo by Erika Pike	Photo by Erika Pike

Section III – Medium-Level Turtles.

            Medium-sized & need larger enclosures or otherwise demand more expensive &/or specialized enclosures.

1.) Black-Breasted Leaf Turtle - Geoemyda spengleri

Description: Small largely terrestrial turtle (yet in nature occurs near cool-water streams) with a yellowish-brown keeled carapace (with lengthwise ridges, & thorn-like spikes at the posterior carapace rim), striped neck & striking eyes with clear irises & no bar across the pupil. In males the skin on the front legs & neck is reddish/orangish. Fairly secretive. They do bask. Recommend at least a 20 gallon long tank, ideally palludarium-style but more land than water, humid & a bit cool. Carnivorous. Native to forest floors in Southern China & Viet Nam. Size: Up to 6" SCL (but usually smaller).

Pro.s: Beautifully ornate & exotic looking. Small size & limited activity allow small enclosures. Vigorously pursue prey. Captive-bred are available & strongly advised over wild-caught! Captive-breds (or deparasitized wild-caughts) in proper conditions should prosper.

Con.s: Prone to die in captivity if specific care needs aren't met (very unforgiving of bad care)⁸. Mainly terrestrial palludarium-style setups aren't amenable to adding other species. Terrestrial substrate setup & maintenance & keeping shallow water clean can be a hassle. Secretive & may hide a lot. May overeat themselves into an early grave if you aren't careful. May not accept dry commercial foods⁸. Females a bit drabber. Territorial so plan a large enclosure if you keep > 1⁹. Uncommon in the trade & rather expensive. Imports should be deparasitized. Not very prolific.

Availability & Cost: Uncommon in the pet trade but can be found if you're persistent. A young juvenile at Daytona Captive Reptile Breeders' Expo. '04 was priced at $225.

Known Legalities: None known in U.S. CITES III in China.

Helpful Care Resources: Asian Consortium's & World Chelonian Trust's Care Sheet Pair, James Buskirk's Care Sheet, World Chelonian Trust's Photo Gallery.

	Top left & right are adults. Left bottom is a young juvenile. All 3 Photos by Richard Lunsford

2.) Caspian Creek turtle (a.k.a. Caspian Pond Turtle) - Mauremys caspica (4 subspecies)

Description: A small-medium brown basking aquatic turtle with slightly oblong carapace and cream to grey/black colored plastron with brown to red blotches; often dull and overall unremarkable. Stripes on neck and legs vary in color from subdued creams to very bright yellow and orange. Some specimens quite striking as a result. A subtle dorsal keel divides the carapace. General care like sliders. Omnivorous. Recommended Enclosure at least a 55 gallon tank. Native to the Eastern Mediterranean (including southwestern former USSR & part of the Middle East, Turkey, Bulgaria & former Yugoslavia). Size: Adult males 4.5 - 7 inches, females 5 - 9 inches.

Pro.s: Exceptionally good feeder, wild-caught adults take pellets readily and at all stages of life many foods, plant and animal, are readily taken. Extremely heat and cold tolerant (though this may vary with origin of geographic location) have seen them active at 5º C and at 44º C! Fairly prolific.

Con.s: Often very secretive and shy at first, eventually more personable. May want to aestivate/hibernate if kept outdoors and difficulty with locality information may make this hard to predict. Males may be highly mutually aggressive and stake out territories. (spacious enclosures or one male per enclosure recommended). Often difficult to distinguish from Mediterranean Pond Turtle (Mauremys leprosa) and Caspian River Turtle (Mauremys rivulata).

Availability & Cost: Highly variable. Few breeders in US (many in Europe) & imports are erratic. Wild-caught adults ~ $12 - 50, Captive-bred hatchlings ~ $50 - 125.

Known Legalities: None known for U.S.

Helpful Care Resources: Mauremys Turtles of The Mediterrean at Tortoise Trust, Empire of the Turtle's Info. & Photos, World Chelonian Trust's Mauremys Gallery.

M. caspica caspica - Photo by Tom C.

3.) Japanese Pond Turtle - Mauremys japonica

Description: Medium-sized basking semi-aquatics with a RES-like overall form but they're less strictly aquatic & do spend time on land. Drab brown. Hatchlings have really long tails (like North American Wood Turtles). Omnivorous. May like somewhat cool temps. Recommend at least a 75 gallon tank. Native to Japan. Size: Females up to 7 or 8" SCL, but males smaller.

Pro.s: Handsome in drab sort of way. Stay fairly small for an exotic. Hardy. Can be bred & are prolific.

Con.s: Drab coloration. Should have a land section (not just a small basking platform) & Zebeck noted they prefer a substrate they can burrow in.

Availability & Cost: Uncommon in the trade but can be found with persistence. Hatchlings ~ $65 - 75. I've seen 2" SCL offered for ~ $100.

Known Legalities: None known in U.S.

Helpful Care Resources: TurtlePuddle's Care Sheet, World Chelonian Trust's Mauremys Gallery.

Photo by Richard Lunsford	Photo by Richard Lunsford

4.) Kwangtung River Turtle - Chinemys nigricans

Description: Medium-sized basking aquatic with moderately domed black-to-brown carapaces, red plastrons, black skin, a rather mud-like' head, whitish stripes on the side of the head. Overall, looks like a Reeve's but darker overall, less head striping & darker eyes. Care similar to a RES but with shallower water (up to 10" deep) with resting areas near the surface (like a stinkpot enclosure on a larger scale)  Omnivorous. Recommend at least a 75 gallon tank. Native to a small range in southeastern China & northern Vietnam. Size: Females to 12" SCL, but males much smaller.

Pro.s: Hardy. The genus has a reputation for docility & intelligence. Can be kept in medium-sized enclosures. Available captive-bred.

Con.s: Darker eyes, less ornate head/neck striping, less availability & greater cost make them less desirable than Reeve's for many. Don't over-feed! Hatchlings may be poor swimmers so offer shallow water per Darrell Senneke⁷. Inter-male aggression common in Reeve's might apply to these, too. Imports should be deparasitized.

Availability & Cost: Hatchlings ~ $75-100.

Known Legalities: None known in U.S. CITES III in China.

Helpful Care Resources: World Chelonian Trust/Asian Turtle Consortium Care Sheet, World Chelonian Trust Photo Gallery.

	Photos by Richard Lunsford - taken at Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga, Tropical Asian Rivers Tank

5.) Red-bellied Short-neck - Emydura subglobosa (a.k.a. Pink-bellied Short-neck)

Description: Standard slider forum-factor only the carapace is grey to black, the plastron yellowish with reddish trim, & the head dark with a yellow stripe behind & over the eye. Care like a slider except warmer water. Basking varies amongst individuals & some seldom do but the option should be there. Omnivorous. Native to Australia & New Guinea. Recommend at least a 75 gallon tank. Size: Up to 10" SCL.

Pro.s: Quite attractive. Hardy but need warm water. Similar form & care to the familiar RES. Captive-bred readily available. Prolific.

Con.s: Tropical - do not hibernate. Gurley¹ noted males tend to be aggressive to unreceptive females & smaller turtles. In Practical Encyclopedia of Keeping & Breeding Tortoises & Freshwater Turtles (Page 168) Highfield² states the genus is susceptible to skin & shell infections if subjected to poor water quality. Turtle Pimp reported prone to skin fungus if they don't bask enough. Imports should be deparasitized.

Availability & Cost: Common at online vendors & larger expo.s. Hatchings ~ $50.

Known Legalities: None known in U.S.

Helpful Care Resources: ATP Care Sheet, California Turtle & Tortoise Club Care Sheet, TurtlePuddle's Care Sheet, World Chelonian Trust's Photo Gallery.

Photo by Tom C.	Photo by Tom C.

 

6.) New Guinea Snapper - Elseya novaeguineae

Description: General aquatic basking aquatic body form (somewhat 'slider-like'), dark carapace, plastron yellowish to pinkish. Rather nervous & like cover. Can be a bit 'nippy.' Have been known to 'play dead.' May bask some. Batagur (Cris Hagen) noted there are many 'snappers' (turtles of this genus) over the island of Papua New Guinea/Iryan Jaya, & many people with a 'New Guinea Snapper' don't actually know its exact species (some 'species' may not've even been described yet!). Size: Up to 12" SCL.

Pro.s: Hardy. Good swimmer.

Con.s: Eventually quit playing dead. Some are nippy. Some are capable escape artists from their tanks. There's at least one (maybe more) similar species that gets larger so be careful what you're buying. There's a risk of getting a different species in this genus even if you order the correct species.

Availability & Cost: Not especially common in the trade but they do turn up, mostly E. novaeguineae but other species may appear. Hatchlings tend to go for ~ $50 & up. Imported adult 'snappers' of the genus tend to go for ~ $100 - 250.

Known Legalities: None known in U.S.

Helpful Care Resources: World Chelonian Trust's Photo Gallery (also see guide on sexing), Empire of the Turtle's Info. Page.

Photo by Tom C.

 

7.)    Indonesian (a.k.a. North Australian) Snake-neck - Macrochelodina rugosa (previously Chelodina siebenrocki)

Description: Medium-Large highly aquatic side-necked species with a plain dark carapace, yellowish plastron, variably grayish skin & a very long neck. Predominant carnivores who may eat some Romaine lettuce. Infrequent basker but provide the option. Active. Recommend at least a 125 gallon aquarium. Native to New Guinea & Australia. Size: Up to 12".

Pro.s: Neat-looking; resemble sauropod dinosaurs with human-like faces. Can catch fish. Fairly non-aggressive with humans.

Con.s: Need large enclosures but some are aggressive & must be kept alone. Tropical & need warm water (figure ~ 80ºF) - not a hibernator. Will eat your fish. Can kill smaller turtles. Not all accept commercial pelleted foods.

Availability & Cost: Probably the most available snake-neck turtle in the U.S. Hatchlings ~ $50 - 100 apiece. I've seen a pair of adults for $425.

Known Legalities: None known in the U.S.

Helpful Care Resources: ATP Care Sheet, Carrettochelys.com's Natural History Discussion, World Chelonian Trust's Photo Gallery, Empire of the Turtle's Info. Page.

Photo by Tom C.	Photo by Tom C.

8.) Australian Snake-neck - Chelodina longicollis

Description: Medium-large highly aquatic side-necked species with a plain blackish carapace, black-based plastron with light patches, grayish skin with a lighter underside & a very long neck. Predominant carnivores. They bask but are shy about it. Active. Recommend at least a 125 gallon aquarium. Native to Australia. Size: Females up to 11", Males up to 8".

Pro.s: Neat-looking; resemble sauropod dinosaurs with human-like faces. Can catch fish. Can alter their coloration somewhat over time. Hibernate in the wild but beware trying this in captivity unless you research & know the practice well. Can eat on land. Prolific breeders.

Con.s: Need large enclosures. Not all accept commercial pelleted foods. Hatchlings are delicate. Will eat your fish. Not a tropical species! They are a temperate species (figure water temp. ~ lower to mid-70's but no warmer than 75ºF!). Scott Thomson notes they are 'cold climate specialists' & autopsy has shown kidney failure, liver dysfunction, bone disease & excessive growth in C. longicollis dept in semi-tropical setups for long periods despite good diets (so they wouldn't be good tank mates who do need tropical setups).

Availability & Cost: Rare in the trade; Australian wildlife isn't generally available for legal export. Batagur (Cris Hagen) noted a legal adult would probably come from a long-term collection & would likely cost a few hundred dollars. He estimated hatchlings would run $200 & up.

Known Legalities: None known in the U.S.

Helpful Care Resources: ATP Care Sheet, Carettochelys.com's Natural History Discussion, World Chelonian Trust's Care Sheet, California Turtle & Tortoise Club Care Sheet, TurtlePuddle's Care Sheet, World Chelonian Trust's Photo Gallery.

Photo by Tom C.

9.) Chinese Softshell - Pelodiscus sinensis

Description: Very flattened-bodies turtles with long, tapering faces/noses, lips, strongly webbed feet & leathery, skin-covered flexible shells. Smaller than any North American softshell; even females (larger than males) are manageable for many. This active medium-sized turtle should have at a dead minimum a 75 gallon tank, & 125 gallon is better. Hatchlings cute & have an orange plastron. Size: up to 10” SCL.

Pro.s: Active, elegant swimmers, enthusiastic feeders, beautiful & very distinctive from hard-shelled turtles. Capable fishermen. Smaller than North American softies. Slider-like care but beware abrasive objects in the tank; at least a container of sandy substrate will be appreciated. Cheap for an exotic. Potentially prolific.

Con.s: Prone to infection from minor injuries. Leathery shell offers little protection from predators. More prone to dehydration out of water than many species. Prefer sandy section of substrate to burrow into. Fast enough they can be hard to catch in the tank. Can kill your fish. Have a rep. for violently defending themselves when handled (which is hard to do). Harder to find than spiny softies. In Keeping and Breeding Freshwater Turtles (Page 127) Russ Gurley¹ notes they're prone to sores & fungi & need heavily-filtered slightly saline environments to thrive long-term.

Availability & Cost: Uncommon in the pet trade but somewhat common in the exotic food market (i.e.: some China-Towns) which you fund with your purchase! Do show up at some larger expo.s (i.e.: annual Daytona Captive Reptile Breeders' Expo.) Hatchlings ~ $25.

Known Legalities: None known in U.S.

Helpful Care Resources: World Chelonian Trust's Photo Gallery.

Photo by Russ Gurley	Photo by Greg Brashear

10.) Malaysian Box Turtle - Cuora amboinensis (4 sub-species)

Description: Medium-sized high-domed semi- (but mostly) aquatic (unlike North American box turtles!) with a dark carapace but vivid yellow head & face striping. Much more aquatic than U.S. box turtles. Recommend at least a 75 gallon aquarium with standard 'wood turtle-style' care (palludarium-style - both water and land). Omnivorous. Native to a broad range in Southeast Asia. Size: Up to 10" SCL+ (but often smaller); Males are smaller.

Pro.s: Really attractive heads. Can eat out of water.

Con.s: Palludarium-style enclosure with substantial land & even more water (with some shallow areas) not compatible with many species you may wish to keep. In Practical Encyclopedia of Keeping & Breeding Tortoises & Freshwater Turtles (Page 163) Highfield² states males are mutually highly aggressive; even females may be attacked & wounded. Imports will need deparasitization. Do not hibernate. Not very prolific.

Availability & Cost: Historically common in the pet trade (ironically came to be regarded as 'common' so many breeders don't work with them!). Hatchlings ~ $55. One of the few exotics fairly easy to find at some shelters for adoption, like the Colorado Reptile Humane Society (& here's their availability list).

Known Legalities: The entire genus is now CITES II, which may impact availability over time.

Helpful Care Resources: World Chelonian Trust's Care Sheet, Turtle Puddle's Care Sheet, World Chelonian Trust's Photo Gallery.

Photo by Tom C.

11.) Central American Ornate Wood Turtle - Rhinoclemmys pulcherrima manni

Description: Medium-large semi-terrestrial species with a box turtle-like form-factor but not nearly as domed. Strong bars across the pupils & the skin is richly patterned with orange high-lights. The carapace has ornate multi-colored patterning & the plastron is a rich orangish-yellow. Strongly herbivorous omnivore. Aquatic hatchlings progress to semi-terrestrial adults. Native to Nicaragua & Costa Rica. Recommend minimum 55 gallon tank. Size: Males 7½" - 8"  Females  8" - 9"

Pro.s: Very ornate-looking turtle. Can eat on land. Fairly likely to get along with other turtles. Reputedly intelligent & personable (for reptiles). Seem to be gaining in popularity in the hobby. The closely related fellow subspecies R. p. incisa (similar-looking but not quite as ornate) has been known to lay up to 4 clutches of 3-5 eggs from September - December³, so I expect R. p. manni to be prolific.

Con.s: Need palludarium-style enclosures with substantial land and (fairly shallow) water areas. Need for shallower water limits compatibility with other species. Shallow water can be a hassle to filter.

Availability & Cost: Somewhat common in the hobby; the closely related but slightly less ornate R. p. incisa has a fairly strong presence at online vendors, so be careful to discern which you're getting.

Known Legalities: None known in the U.S.

Helpful Care Resources: ATP Care Sheet, World Chelonian Trust's Care Sheet, Buslady's Care Sheet, Empire of the Turtle's Photos & Some Info., World Chelonian Trust's Rhinoclemmys Photo Gallery.

	Photos by Tom C.

12.) South American Wood Turtle - Rhinoclemmys punctularia punctularia

Description: Medium-large semi-terrestrial species with a mildly-to-moderately domed black carapace with lighter under-trim & a smoky black plastron with lighter patches. They bask. The head is black on top with a fairly bold red stripe, yellowish on the underside, & the rest of the body yellowish with a black-specked look. Omnivorous. Native to Columbia, Venezuela, Trinidad, Guianas & Brazil. Recommend minimum 75 gallon tank. Size: Male   8" - 10", Female   9" - 11½".

Pro.s: Head coloration fairly striking. Can eat on land. Fairly likely to get along with other turtles. Reputedly intelligent & personable (for reptiles). May lay several clutches/year but only 1-2 eggs/clutch³, so consider fairly prolific with the added complication of incubating 1 or 2 eggs at a time.

Con.s: Need palludarium-style enclosures with substantial land and (fairly shallow) water areas. Need for shallower water limits compatibility with other species. Shallow water can be a hassle to filter.

Availability & Cost: Strangely variable availability. In the Arizona area, Zebeck noted they were available in his area ~ twice/year, ~ $20 - 40 wholesale or $50 - 80 retail in pet stores for imported adults & sub-adults, captive-bred babies he's almost never seen & he's seen the species 3-4x's in the past 5 years on the Internet & once on a wholesaler's list. Jeff Dawson in the Ohio area saw them several times at reptile shows in the past year & listed on the Internet; he once saw one at a PetsMart (those he saw appeared to be recent imports, & no hatchlings). In the Texas & Florida areas, Tom C. has found them at a # of expo.s, typically priced ~ $20 - 25, usually "pretty busted up" & rough looking. One sex or the other may predominate at an expo. Tom only saw one at the '04 Daytona Expo. (& that with some coaxing). I finally found a listing for 5-8" Rhinoclemys punctalaria at $29 in an online classified.

Known Legalities: None known in the U.S.

Helpful Care Resources: ATP Care Sheet, World Chelonian Trust's Rhinoclemmys Photo Gallery.

Photo by Tom C.	Photo by Tom C.

13.) Asian Leaf Turtle - Cyclemys dentata

Description: Standard 'basking turtle' form-factor but dark brown carapace with subtle patterning & a vertebral keel, black skin, dark eyes, & a dark plastron with attractive streaking. Mainly aquatic young progress to slit land/water using adults. Omnivorous. Size: Up to 10" SCL.

Pro.s: Another of those subtly handsome species. They are being captive-bred.

Con.s: Rather drab coloration. Should have a 'wood turtle-style' enclosure with plenty of land & (fairly shallow) water ('palludarium') as adults. Frequent import & wild-caughts should be deparasitized.

Availability & Cost: I've seen an adult or sub-adult female for $30, a couple of unsexed juveniles for $40 apiece & hatchlings for $50 apiece.

Known Legalities: None known in U.S.

Helpful Care Resources: World Chelonian Trust's Care Sheet, Petco's Online PDF Care Sheet, World Chelonian Trust's Photo Gallery.

Photo by Tom C.

Section IV – Medium-Hard Level Turtles.

            Medium-to-large animals requiring large enclosures or a higher degree of expertise in care or trouble-shooting when problems arise.

1.)    Belize Slider (a.k.a. Meso-American Slider) - Trachemys scripta venusta

Description:  Large basking species with the classic slider form like RES but on a much larger scale with a more ornate carapace yet lack red head patches. Omnivorous - more carnivorous as hatchlings, more herbivorous as they mature. Native to Central American (Mexico to Honduras). Size: Females up to 19"; Males smaller.

Pro.s: Rather ornate carapace. Basic care theory is straight-forward - essentially a giant RES!

Con.s: Large adults yet a tropical species that can't hibernate. Keepers aiming for a more unusual or ornate 'RES' may find year-round indoor maintenance of such a large turtle daunting.

Availability & Cost: Somewhat common in the pet trade. Batagur (Cris Hagen) has seen hatchlings go for as little as $30. I saw roughly week old hatchlings offered by a top tier vendor for $40 apiece.

Known Legalities: None known in the U.S.

Helpful Care Resources: World Chelonian Trust's Trachemys Photo Gallery.

Middle Photo by Tom C.; Top & Bottom Photos by Richard Lunsford

2.) Nicaraguan Slider - Trachemys venusta emolli

Description: Size: Females up to 14" SCL; males smaller.

Pro.s: Attractive basking turtles with standard 'slider-style' care on a larger scale.

Con.s: Large adults yet a tropical species that can't hibernate. Keepers aiming for a more unusual or ornate 'RES' may find year-round indoor maintenance of such a large turtle daunting.

Availability & Cost: Uncommon in the trade but can be found with persistence. Hatchlings ~ $30 - 45.

Known Legalities: None known in U.S.

Helpful Care Resources: Let us know if you find any good ones.

	All Nicaraguan Slider Photos courtesy of Paul Vander Schouw (Chelidman)

 

3.)    Red-headed Amazon River Turtle - Podocnemis erythrocephala

Description: Medium-large basking species, dark-brown carapace & dark skin, with striking red coloration on the head that may fade somewhat with age. Face more reminiscent of a short-muzzled dog than the 'frog-face' of sliders & male map turtles. Omnivorous hatchlings progress to predominantly herbivorous adults. Recommend at least a 125 gallon tank. Size: Females to 13", Males smaller.

Pro.s: Quite beautiful & distinctive. Fairly small for a Podocnemis. Due to not being ESA-listed can cross state lines much easier than a Yellow-spotted.

Con.s: Quite sensitive to chills; can sicken & die afterward - must never get cold! Podocnemis species are thought to benefit from low pH. Very rarely bred successfully in captivity so most available are wild-caught imports & should be deparasitized.

Availability & Cost: Uncommon but occasionally available. Cost around $750 - 1,000 apiece.

Known Legalities: CITES II.

Helpful Care Resources: World Chelonian Trust's Podocnemis Photo Gallery.

	Photos by Richard Lunsford - taken at Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga, An Amazon River Tank

4.)   Spot-bellied Side-neck - Phrynops hilarii

Description: Large side-necked basking species similar in form to sliders with a large, broader head & (more 'people-like') face, dark drab carapace, pale dark-spotted plastron, whitish skin & gray heads with striping. Omnivorous. Recommend at least a 360 gallon tank for a large male, & 500+ gallons for a large female. Native to Southern Brazil, Uruguay & Argentina. Size: Females up to 16", Males smaller.

Pro.s: Beautiful viewed gliding about a massive enclosure.

Con.s: Females are very large & rather bulky. Need massive enclosures. In Keeping and Breeding Freshwater Turtles (Page 174)¹ Gurley noted turtles in this genus are often aggressive to each other & larger ones may eat small turtles. Eric B. at Empire of the Turtle recommends pH 6.5 or slightly lower, esp. for hatchlings³⁸, which may be hard to provide if your tap water is hard & alkaline.

Availability & Cost: Somewhat common in the pet trade. I've seen a juvenile > 1 yr old offered for $175.

Known Legalities: None known in U.S.

Helpful Care Resources: ATP Care Sheet, World Chelonian Trust's Phrynops Photo Gallery, Empire of the Turtle's Info. Page.

	Top right & left - Female at Nashville Zoo Middle right & left - Male at Nashville Zoo Photos by Richard Lunsford Bottom left - Male named 'Stripe' - Photo by Tom C.

 

6.)    Argentine Snake-neck - Hydromedusa tectifera

Description: Medium-large highly aquatic side-necked species with a rich dark-brown carapace, grayish to brownish skin, striped (& somewhat flattened) head & a very long neck. Predominant carnivores. Rarely bask but provide the option. Recommend at least a 75 gallon aquariums with plenty of cover (i.e.: driftwood & floating plants). Native to South America. Size: Males 7 - 9", Females 9 - 12".

Pro.s: Strikingly ornate as snake-necks go. Can catch fish (strike & suck maneuver, like a chicken turtle). Hibernate in the wild (I don't recommend trying it in captivity.

Con.s: Prone to health problems, especially if not kept in acidic water. Sensitive to poor water quality (i.e.: eye, skin & respiratory infections) per Practical Encyclopedia of Keeping & Breeding Tortoises & Freshwater Turtles (Page 194-195) Highfield². Can kill your fish. May be slow to transition to commercial pelleted foods (one of the hardest species to convince).

Availability & Cost: I've seen 4-5" captive-bred at ~ $225 apiece, & a large (8" SCL) fairly long-term captive male offered for $400 shipped.

Known Legalities: None known in U.S.

Helpful Care Resources: ATP Care Sheet, California Turtle & Tortoise Club Care Sheet, World Chelonian Trust's Photo Gallery.

	Photos by Tom C.

7.)    Indian Spotted Pond Turtle - Geoclemys hamiltonii

Description: Basking aquatic bulkier & more domed with a larger head than a RES. Dark black with small yellow spots on both carapace & skin. Plastron lighter black with light streaks. Carnivorous. Recommend at least a 125 gallon tank. Enclosure design similar to a slider but given bulkier build provide some supporting 'tank furniture' (i.e. driftwood) for underwater support/resting areas. Native to rather clear well-vegetated fairly shallow waters¹¹ in Indian, Pakistan & Bangladesh. Size: Females up to 12", males slightly smaller.

Pro.s: Quite beautiful & very unusual in private collections. Reputedly hardy. Basically all are captive-bred.

Con.s: Rather large & bulky. Tropical species albeit with some cold tolerance - do not hibernate them. No wild-caughts. The hardest part of keeping one is acquiring it (CITES I).

Availability & Cost: There are very few private breeders in the U.S. I saw these for sale at the Daytona Captive Reptile Breeders' Expo. '04 (there, captive-bred 'babies' were $333, '02's $500 & '01's $750).. Hatchlings ~ $450.

Known Legalities: CITES Appendix I. Also covered by the Endangered Species Act. Available in Florida & Georgia.

Helpful Care Resources: Asian Turtle Consortium Care Sheet, World Chelonian Trust's Photo Gallery.

	Photos by Richard Lunsford -  Top shots taken at Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga, left-bottom shot taken at Daytona Captive Reptile Breeders' Expo. '04

          8.) Chinese Yellow Marginated Box Turtle - Cuora flavomarginata (Some people use the genus Cistoclemmys) (There are sub-species)

Description: Medium-sized high-domed semi-aquatic with a dark reddish-black/brown carapace with a single light dorsal stripe but vivid yellow-striped (behind eye) light-colored head. They can close up tightly. Eric B. noted they're more terrestrial than Malaysian box turtles (C. amboinensis). Temperate to sub-tropical. Recommend at least a 75 gallon aquarium with standard 'wood turtle-style' care (palludarium-style - both water and land). Omnivorous. Native to Taiwan, Southern China & the Ryukyu Islands. Size: Up to ~7" SCL.

Pro.s: Really attractive heads. Can eat out of water. Can hibernate.

Con.s: Palludarium-style enclosure with substantial water (with some shallow areas) & even more land not compatible with many species you may wish to keep. They like to keep to cover. Males may be aggressive toward each other. Imports will need deparasitization. Fairly prolific (but clutches are quite small).

Availability & Cost: Less common in the pet trade than Malaysian box turtles (C. amboinensis). I've seen an adult male for $200.

Known Legalities: The entire genus is now CITES II, which may impact availability over time.

Helpful Care Resources: California Turtle & Tortoise Club's Care Sheet, TurtlePuddle's Care Sheet, Empire of the Turtle's Info. Page, Carapace & Plastron Views, Oakland Zoo's Info. Page, HeartSong Sanctuary's Info. & Pics Page, World Chelonian Trust's Photo Gallery for the genus & guide to sexing this species, Valerie Haecky's Species Notes.

9.) Black Wood Turtle - Rhinoclemmys funerea

Description: Very large turtle with overall form similar to a slider but thicker body (more so even than a female cooter), larger head, dark blackish carapace & light-colored base skin with lots of dark patterning. Largest of the wood turtles & more aquatic than most. Omnivorous. Size: Up to 14" SCL (some say larger) but bulky for that length.

Pro.s: Attractive if you're in the market for a large, thick-bodied semi-aquatic omnivore that's not too huge.

Con.s: Very large (both long, wide & very thick-bodied) turtle typically kept in a traditional large aquatic setup (i.e.: like a RES habitat) but other wood turtles are said to have 'palludarium-style' needs - so I wonder if an aquatic setup is a trade-off since a palludarium for R. funerea would be huge (although it's supposedly more aquatic than some of the other wood turtles).

Availability & Cost: Fairly common at online vendors. Hatchlings ~ $40-60.

Known Legalities: None known in U.S.

Helpful Care Resources: Photo & some basic info., World Chelonian Trust's Rhinoclemmys Photo Gallery.

Photo by Richard Lunsford - taken at Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga	Photo by Richard Lunsford - taken at Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga

10.) Matamata - Chelus fimbriatus

Description: Very large flattened turtle with a mottled brown 'pile of dead leaves' coloration. Brown carapace with horn-like knobs reminiscent of a young alligator snapper. Head & neck flattened & bear irregular fleshy projections for camouflage. Nose resembles a short straw. Carnivorous - mainly a fish-eater. Not thought to bask. Recommend minimum 300 gallon tank for a large adult. Native to the Amazon River & its tributaries. Size: Up to 18".

Pro.s: Very unique looking. 'Vacuum' feeding style. Somewhat sedentary (but can swim) so enclosure needn't be as large as some comparably large turtles (i.e.: Florida softshells).

Con.s: The large head & neck make the turtle even larger than the 18" SCL suggests. Youngsters are rather delicate & even older juveniles (perhaps 5") sometimes die without clear cause. Mainly feed on live fish (be mindful of thiaminase & chemical treatment risks!) - not apt to accept commercial pelleted foods. Require high water quality & low pH. Sedentary life-style mandates enclosure allow the turtle to reach the surface for air without swimming.

Availability & Cost: Strangely somewhat common in the online pet trade. I've seen a couple of 4.5" SCL juveniles at $300 apiece, & a 12" SCL juvenile offered at ~ $450.

Known Legalities: None known in U.S.

Helpful Care Resources: California Turtle & Tortoise Club Care Sheet, David Kirkpatrick's Care Sheet, World Chelonian Trust's Care Sheet, CentralPets.Com's Care Sheet, World Chelonian Trust's Photo Gallery.

Photo by Richard Lunsford at Nashville Zoo	Photo by Richard Lunsford at Nashville Zoo

11.)   Giant Musk Turtle - Chiapas Giant Musk - Staurotypus salvinii & Mexican Giant Musk - Staurotypus triporcatus

Description: Resemble a giant stinkpot, with lighter, more 'speckled-looking' skin, & the carapace as longitudinal ridges. Reduced plastron per all musks. The head is quite large. Largely carnivorous. Recommend at least a 300 gallon tank. Basking should be possible even if seldom seen. S. triporcatus native to Mexico & Belize; Staurotypus salvinii native to Mexico & Guatemala to El Salvador. Size: S. salvinii up to 10" SCL. S. triporcatus to 15" SCL.

Pro.s: Lack the 'power strike' of common snappers, making them (comparatively) fairly safe to handle if you're careful & know what you're doing! (Disclaimer: our observations are in good faith, we're not advocating handling them, it can be dangerous, & if you get hurt don't even think about suing us!). Available captive-bred.

Con.s: Very large size & decent activity level mandate large enclosures; the two I've seen in public exhibits were in water a few feet deep (perhaps to accommodate other species) so aim for at least 18" depth to allow swimming room (& underwater rest areas near the surface if deeper) - this is not a giant shallow water mud turtle! Willing to bite & large, powerful jaws make the bite quite dangerous.

Availability & Cost: Somewhat uncommon at vendors but easy to find if you keep looking. Hatchling S. salvinii ~ $65 (I saw a 1 year old captive-bred female for $90). I've seen adult pairs at $300 apiece. I've seen a juvenile S triporcatus (? 4" SCL?) for ~ $150, a pair of 8" captive-bred (non-related) for $350, & hatchlings a few months old for ~ $40.

Known Legalities: None known in U.S.

Helpful Care Resources: World Chelonian Trust's Staurotypus Photo Gallery.

	S. triporcatus Photos by Richard Lunsford taken at Nashville Zoo

12.)   Asian (a.k.a. 'Chinese') Big-Headed Turtle - Platysternon megacephalum (there are sub-species)

Description: Superficially resembles a common snapper (bulky, drab coloration, long tail) with a large-to-massive head. Well-developed plastron (unlike snappers) with no hinge. Climb very well. Native to China, Vietnam, Thailand & Myanmar (inhabitat solitary pools assoc.'d with cold mountain streams²²). Size: Up to 11" But most stay smaller (5 - 7")²².

Pro.s: Distinctive-looking; quite a conversation piece.

Con.s: Hard to find & very expensive. Skilled climbers may escape your enclosure. Powerful jaws, vigorous carnivory, aggression toward each other²² & specialty habitat needs (cool, shallow, well-oxygenated water) mandate keeping alone. Can be fairly sedentary. Somewhat prone to shell fungal infections. Most are wild-caught & need deparasitization. Hard to breed.

Availability & Cost: Rare in the pet trade but they do turn up if you're persistent. Very costly - expect to pay several hundred for an import (some big-heads were offered at $650 apiece in Sept. '04, & 4 4-4.5" at $350 apiece 3-27-05), & it could in theory cost perhaps $1,000+ for a true captive-bred hatchling.

Known Legalities: CITES Appendix II.

Helpful Care Resources: Asian Turtle Consortium Care Sheet, David Kirkpatrick's Care Sheet Article #1, David Kirkpatrick's Care Sheet Article #2, CentralPet.Com's Care Sheet, Platysternon.com (a web site dedicated to the species), World Chelonian Trust's Platysternon Photo Gallery.

Photos taken by Richard Lunsford - the top right at Newport Aquarium in KY, the left top & bottom at Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga	Bottom right (plastron shot) photo by Turtle Pimp

13.) Twistneck Turtle - Platemys platycephala platycephala

Description: Basking side-necked species with a somewhat flattened dark brown/mottled carapace (with 2 keels) & dark skin but a bright yellowish brown top of the head & neck. Care similar to a North American Wood Turtle. Recommend enclosure at least a 55 gallon tank (due to land & water requirements). Native to northern South America. Size: Up to 7.5" SCL.

Pro.s: Oddly handsome & striking in a subdued way. Endearing to look at.

Con.s: Native habitat use of both land & shallow water mean captive enclosure should be 'palludarium-style' with substantial land & shallow water areas - this may be incompatible with some other species' needs. Ideally should have low pH water. Tropical - don't try hibernating them. Low egg production & delicate hatchlings may frustrate would-be breeders.

Availability & Cost: Uncommon in the trade but can be found with persistence. I've seen imports ~ $65 (not hatchlings), & some unspecified 4-5" SCL for $35.

Known Legalities: None known in the U.S.

Helpful Care Resources: ATP Care Sheet, California Turtle & Tortoise Club Care Sheet, TurtlePuddle's Care Sheet, World Chelonian Trust's Photo Gallery.

	Top right & left photos by Tom C. Bottom left photo by Turtle Pimp

14.) Spiny Turtle - Heosemys spinosa

Description: Medium-sized semi-terrestrial turtle with a handsome brown shell with a dorsal row of small spikes & larger spikes around the carapace perimeter (warning: adults may lose the spines!). Predominantly (not always exclusively) herbivorous. Recommended enclosure quite large due to need for land & water sections (ideally large outdoor setup, but indoors at least 125 gallon tank). Native to Thailand, Sumatra, Borneo & Indonesia. Size: Up to 9" SCL.

Pro.s: Strange appearance (like a cross between a U.S. wood turtle & a rose bush!). Red spotting on the black head is attractive. Medium-sized.

Con.s: Delicate even as adults; strong reputation for being prone to sicken & die. Need large palludarium-style enclosure with plenty of land & (fairly shallow) water. On the other hand, per Keeping and Breeding Freshwater Turtles (Pages 245-246)¹ may do best in 'cool' environments ~ 75-80ºF, outdoors (not so well indoors), & in nature tend to inhabit cool streams at high altitudes¹². Captive breeding is very rare so any 'pet' is wild-caught unless proven otherwise & must get antibiotic deparasitization. Wild-caughts have fairly high mortality¹². Not a prolific species.

Availability & Cost: Rather rare in the pet trade. I've seen imported adult males at ~ $50 piece. I saw a 4" for ~ $100.

Known Legalities: CITES Appendix II.

Helpful Care Resources: World Chelonian Trust's Care Sheet, TurtlePuddle's Care Sheet, World Chelonian Trust's Photo Gallery.

Photo by Richard Lunsford - taken at Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga	Photo by Richard Lunsford - taken at Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga

Section V - Hard Turtles.

    Require larger enclosures, are harder to obtain or otherwise require a greater investment of skill or resources yet don't reach the extremes.

1.) Yellow-spotted Amazon River Turtle - Podocnemis unifilis

Description: Very large basking species, dark-colored carapace (brownish to black) & skin, with bright yellow spots on male's heads. Face more reminiscent of a short-muzzled dog than the 'frog-face' of sliders & male map turtles. Omnivorous hatchlings progress to predominantly herbivorous adults. Recommend at least a 360 gallon tank & preferably much larger. Size: Females to 28" (most do not get that large), Males smaller.

Pro.s: Beautiful animals. May fit the bill when really large turtles are needed (i.e.: Zoo exhibits).

Con.s: Quite sensitive to chills; can sicken & die afterward - must never get cold! Podocnemis species are thought to benefit from low pH. Females don't have the prominent yellow head spots.

Availability & Cost: A few hatchlings turn up at some of the largest expo.s. At Daytona Captive Reptile Breeders' Expo. '04 there were some juveniles (SCL a few inches) at $400 apiece; 3 year olds were $250. Due to ESA status difficult to take out-of-state.

Known Legalities: CITES Appendix I. Also covered by the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

Helpful Care Resources: ATP Care Sheet, World Chelonian Trust's Care Sheet, World Chelonian Trust's Podocnemis Photo Gallery.

Photos by Richard Lunsford - taken at Nashville Zoo	Photos by Richard Lunsford - taken at Nashville Zoo

2.) Painted River Turtle - Callagur borneoensis

Description: Very large basking aquatic species, gray-skin, fairly drab, but breed-ready males' heads & necks turn white with a black face & a strong red slash down the dorsal center of the head.   Mainly herbivorous. Native to Southeast Asia (estuaries & tidal reaches of rivers). Recommended a pond of at least a few thousand gallons for a large adult female. Size: Females up to 28" SCL, Males up to 20".

Pro.s: Impress the neighbors. Some vegetarian keepers may prefer herbivorous pets. 'Breed-ready' males' coloration rather striking.

Con.s: Very large adults. Can be aggressive to their own kind, esp. when crowded. Tropical species so don't hibernate, but somewhat 'cool-tolerant.' The vivid breeding male coloration isn't constant & most of the time these turtles are fairly drab. Large herbivores produce a lot of waste. Breeding isn't simple to engineer.

Availability & Cost: Rare in the trade but can be found (Turtle Pimp has offered these). Hatchling ~ $175-250. I've seen an 8" SCL 3 year old captive-born offered for ~ $400.

Known Legalities: CITES II.

Helpful Care Resources: California Turtle & Tortoise Club Caresheet, World Chelonian Trust's Photo Gallery.

3.) Fly River Turtle - Carettochelys insculpta

Description: Large softshell-like aquatic species (shells skin-covered without scutes) with a thicker body, 'flipper-like' limbs & an oddly snout-like nose. Olive gray carapace with some light patches along the rim & a bland white carapace. Omnivorous - a predominant herbivore but will definitely eat meaty foods. Recommended minimum 360 gallon tank for large adult; even the smaller specimens seen in captivity need 200 gallons+. Native to Australia, New Guinea & Irian Jaya. At least in Australia they hail from alkaline hard-water habitat. Almost never bred in captivity so those for sale are either wild-caught or 'captive-hatched' from wild-collected eggs. Size: Up to 22" SCL length & 49.5 lbs, but captives seldom attain such size.

Pro.s: Appear graceful, serene & gentle in their movements (but can display bursts of speed when startled). Not basking spot required. Slow growing. Usually eat commercial foods.

Con.s: Large, require pristine water quality to maintain health, need unusually warm water, very prone to attack other turtles (including their own kind) & must usually be housed alone or in very large, complex enclosures. Even one mandates a large enclosure. Native to alkaline hard-water environs inhospitable to many microorganisms; consider offering either alkaline hard water or using a UV-Sterilizer on the tank. Particularly susceptible to fungal white-spot & moderately vulnerable to SCUD. Poor candidate for breeding in captivity & all in the pet trade are either wild-caught or 'captive-hatchling' (from wild-collected eggs).

Availability & Cost: Have been somewhat common on online dealer classifieds but since CITES II assignment the supply will probably drop off sharply. Tend to run ~ $300 - $700 in the U.S. (can be dirt-cheap overseas; went to CITES II in '04 which may impact availability & cost).

Known Legalities: Became CITES II in '04. The legality of those brought into the U.S.A. beforehand was dubious.

Helpful Care Resources: Carettochelys.com (Large amount of info.; here's their care sheet), ATP Care Sheet, California Turtle & Tortoise Club Care Sheet, Yahoo! Discussion Group on FRTs, World Chelonian Trust's Photo Gallery, World Chelonian Trust Guide to Sexing FRT's.

Photo by Richard Lunsford - taken at Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga Fly River Tank	Photo by Richard Lunsford - taken at Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga Fly River Tank

Section VI – High-Level Turtles.

            Either require very high-cost &/or huge enclosures or otherwise a large-scale investment to maintain well. Some turtles at this level begin to approach the challenge of providing enclosures for mid-range crocodilians & large constrictors & the largest venomous snakes. While far less dangerous than those animals, so of these turtles can take fingers off.

1.) Asian Narrow-headed Giant Softshells - Striped Narrow-Headed Softshell - Chitra chitra (2 sub-species), Indian Narrow-Headed Softshell - Chitra indica.

Description: Classic large softshell body except a thick-based neck tapers to a comically small head. They should have cool water & a sand substrate. C. chitra native to Malaysia. C. indica native to Pakistan, India & other places. Size: C. indica can reach a breath-taking 49" SCL & weigh up to 200 lbs! Chitra chitra are potentially even more enormous; Cris Hagan (Batagur) know of one in a private collection in Thailand measuring slighter over 4 feet SCL & weighing around 265 lbs!

Pro.s: Impressive-looking & some have a striking striped pattern (C. chitra allegedly retains its coloration well, but C. indica does not). Can catch fish.

Con.s: Require pristine water quality, sand substrate & large enclosure. Should have aquarium salt added to their water²⁰. In nature C. indica spend a lot of time buried in sandy bottoms so use of other or no substrate is not advised. Delicate hatchlings, particularly Chitra chitra. Large enough to have a serious bite. May refuse commercial foods & demand natural prey (fish), so thiaminase & whatever chemical treatments the fish were exposed to are a concern. Will eat your fish. Supposedly fairly sedentary but still require large enclosures (just not a full-size swimming pool!).

Availability & Cost: As of 3-2-05 a 19-20" C. chitra at Chitrachitra.com will run you $1,300 + paperwork & shipping (adding hundreds more - hey, we're talking CITES paperwork & shipping from Malaysia!).

Known Legalities:  Chitra species are CITES Appendix II.

Helpful Care Resources: Asian Turtle Consortium Chitra indica Care Sheet, Chitra chitra.com (they produce captive-bred (they even do morphs) & the site discusses care & potential problems), World Chelonian Trust's Chitra Photo Gallery.

2.) Giant Amazon River Turtle - Podocnemis expansa

Description: Very large basking aquatic species, dark-colored shell (grayish to black) & skin. Face more reminiscent of a short-muzzled dog than the 'frog-face' of sliders & male map turtles. Omnivorous hatchlings progress to predominantly herbivorous adults. Recommend a pond of at least a few thousand gallons for a large adult female. Size: Females to 44" SCL, Males smaller.

Pro.s: Large specimens impress visitors.

Con.s: Very large adults. Quite sensitive to chills; can sicken & die afterward - must never get cold! Rather drab. Podocnemis species are thought to benefit from low pH.

Availability & Cost: Not available to general hobbyists; can be had by some large public institutions (i.e.: Tennessee Public Aquarium in Chattanooga). Cost would probably be extreme.

Known Legalities: CITES Appendix II. Also covered by the Endangered Species Act.

Helpful Care Resources: World Chelonian Trust's Podocnemis Photo Gallery.

	Photos by Richard Lunsford - taken at Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga Flooded Amazon Forest Tank

3.) Black Ray Softshell - Amyda cartilaginea

Description: Very large softshells turtles with the same basic body form as the North American softies (i.e.: spiny softshell) on a much larger scale. Recommend very large enclosure (at least 1,000 gallon stock tank). Native to Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Burma, Malaysia, Java, Sumatra & Borneo. Size: Females up to 28"; Males smaller.

Pro.s: Very impressive-sized adults.

Con.s: Swimming pool-sized enclosures for tropical species are expensive & challenging. Softshells in general depend on high water quality least they develop bacterial &/or fungal infections. The North American softshells can all bite & scratch effectively & the Black Ray takes it to a whole new level; I'd expect this turtle to be capable of removing a finger (a massive one might be able to mangle a hand).

Availability & Cost: Very rare in the pet trade but not unknown (a large adult import was offered online once). Common in the Asian animal trade, so they may be available to some of our non-U.S. members. In some foreign markets (i.e.: Thailand, Malaysia) may cost several dollars or more.

Known Legalities: CITES II.

Helpful Care Resources: ATP Care Sheet. An info. page at Ecology Asia, World Chelonian Trust's Photo Gallery of BRS', Another brief info. page.

Juvenile Black Ray Softshell - Photo by Tom C.

 

Appendix I.) List of Exotic Turtles covered in this article.

            Not all exotic turtles are covered in this article. I chose a representative majority of those species apt to be purchased by pet seekers.

1.)    Exotic Sliders.

a. Belize Slider.

b. Nicaraguan Slider. 

2.)    Amazon River Turtles & Similar.

a. Yellow-spotted Amazon.

b. Red-headed Amazon.

c. Giant Amazon River Turtle.

d. Spot-bellied Sideneck.

3.)    Miscellaneous Medium Basking Turtles.

a. European Pond Turtle. 

b. Chinese Golden-Thread.

c. Caspian Creek Turtle.

d. Japanese Pond Turtle.

e. Red-bellied Short-neck.

f. Indian Spotted Pond Turtle.

4.)    Miscellaneous Bottom-Walkers.

a. African Helmetted Turtle.

b. Red-cheeked Mud Turtle.

c. White-throated Mud Turtle.

d. Scorpion Mud Turtle.

e. White-lipped Mud Turtle.

f. Chinese Big-headed Turtle.

g.  Matamata.

5.)    Partial Bottom-walker Turtles.

            a.) Reeves Turtle.

            b.) Kwangtung River Turtle.

            c.) Giant Musk Turtle (Chiapas & Mexican).

6.)    Exotic Wood Turtles & Similar 'Palludarium' Species.

            a.) Central American Ornate Wood Turtle.

            b.) South American Wood Turtle.

            c.) Black Wood Turtle.

            d.) Twistneck Turtle.

            e.) Spiny Turtle.

            f.) Malaysian Box Turtle.

            g.) Asian Leaf Turtle.

            h.) Black-Breasted Leaf Turtle.

            i.) Chinese Yellow Marginated Box Turtle

7.)      Softshells & Similar Turtles.

            a.) Chinese Softshell.

            b.) Chitra Softshells.

            c.) Fly River Turtle.

 

Appendix II.) Exotic Turtles by Difficulty Level.

    Remember difficulty is multi-factorial & situationally dependent. For a Florida resident with good income & access to the Daytona Captive Reptile Breeders' Expo., an Indian Spotted Pond would be of Medium difficulty. To me in Kentucky, with no means to purchase ones across state lines, it would be Hard or Very Hard due to the challenge of acquisition (which would likely bend or break the law). And a Black-breasted Leaf Turtle can make do with a small tank in a dorm room, whereas a large adult Australian Snake-neck will not.

Level I.) The Best Starter Turtles:  Red-cheeked Mud, White-Lipped Mud, Scorpion Mud, Reeve's Turtle.

Level II.) Second Choice Starter Turtles: White-Throated Mud, European Pond Turtle, Chinese Golden Thread Turtle, African Helmetted Turtle.

Level III.) Medium-Level Turtles: Black-breasted Leaf Turtle, Caspian Creek Turtle, Japanese Pond Turtle, Kwangtung River Turtle, Red-bellied Short-neck, New Guinea Snapper, Indonesian Snake-neck, Australian Snake-neck, Chinese Softshell, Malaysian Box Turtle, Central American Ornate Wood Turtle, South American Wood Turtle, Asian Leaf Turtle.

Level IV.) Medium-Hard Turtles: Belize Slider, Nicaraguan Slider, Red-headed Amazon River Turtle, Spot-bellied Side-neck, Argentine Snake-neck, Indian Spotted Pond Turtle, Black Wood Turtle, Matamata, Chiapas Giant Musk Turtle, Mexican Giant Musk Turtle, Asian Big-headed Turtle, Twistneck Turtle, Spiny Turtle.

Level V.) Hard Turtles: Yellow-spotted Amazon River Turtle, Painted River Turtle, Fly River Turtle.

Level VI.) High-Level Turtles: Asian Giant Narrow-headed Softshells,  Black Ray Softshell, Giant Amazon River Turtle.

 

Appendix III.) Exotic Turtles by Ease of Acquisition.

Easy to Acquire: No non-U.S. turtle is as easily acquired across the U.S. as the most common U.S. species (i.e.: RES); thus none get a blanket 'easy' rating here.

Fairly Easy to Acquire: Can usually be found in a busy Classifieds section or amongst a group of popular vendors (maybe 2 out of 5 will have it).

Fairly Uncommon in the Trade: Can usually be found somewhere on a busy Classifieds section, but may be few, adults only, or be found only at 'Brand X' vendors.

Uncommon: Show up occasionally on Classifieds sections but not constantly. May require scanning the Classifieds for a few weeks. Also species with very narrow supply chain (i.e.: ESA species like Indian Spotted Pond Turtle).

Hard to Acquire: Either rare on Classifieds sections (you're lucky to find one from a vendor you're willing to do business with), or require a great deal of cost or effect to obtain (i.e.: Chitra chitra softshells).

 

Appendix IV.) Exotic Turtles by Cost.

            Cost of Acquisition. Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) tends to be much greater over time. A good example is to compare a hatchling Chinese Golden-Thread (~ $50) Indian Spotted Pond Turtle (~ $350). Even if both are maintained in 125 gallon aquaria, lighting, filtration, etc…won’t vary that much. Enclosure & other equipment (filter, UV-B bulb, etc…) run several hundred either way, eclipsing the purchase price of the turtle. Pricing given is for hatchlings when practical.

Cheap (up to around $15): None consistently, but sometimes you'll see a 'deal' on one of the Affordable turtles.

Affordable (~ $20 - $50): Red-cheeked Mud, White-throated Mud, Scorpion Mud, White-lipped Mud, Chiapas Giant Musk, Mexican Giant Musk, African-Helmetted, Reeves, European Pond,  Chinese Golden Thread, Red-bellied short-neck, Wild-caught Caspian Creek Turtles, Malaysian Box Turtles, Asian Leaf Turtle, Nicaraguan Slider, Black Wood Turtle, Spiny Turtle, Chinese Softshell.

Expensive (~ $75 - $150): Captive-bred Caspian Creek Turtles, Japanese Pond Turtles, Kwangtung River Turtle, Indonesian Snake-neck, Spot-bellied Side-neck, Twistneck.

Very Expensive ($200+): Black-breasted Leaf Turtles, Argentine Snake-neck, Indian Spotted Pond Turtles, Some Fly River Turtles, Matamata, Yellow-spotted Amazon River Turtle, Painted River Turtle.

Extremely Expensive ($500+): Some Fly River Turtles, Red-headed Amazon River Turtle, Asian Big-head Turtles, Asian Giant Narrow-headed Softshells,

 

Appendix V.) Exotic Turtles by Size.

            Taking into account both SCL (superior carapace length measurement) & general bulk (a 12” Black Wood Turtle is a good deal larger than a 12” Belize Slider).

Small: Red-cheeked Mud Turtles, Scorpion Muds, White-Lipped Muds, some White-throat Muds (but that's pushing it), Smaller Reeve's, Black-Breasted Leaf Turtles.

Medium: Larger White-throat Muds, African Helmetted Turtles, Reeves, Male Nicaraguan Sliders, European Pond Turtles, Red-bellied Short-necks, Asian Leaf Turtles, Chinese Golden-Threads, Caspian Creek Turtles, Japanese Pond Turtles, Kwangtung River Turtles, Red-headed Amazon River Turtles, New Guinea Snappers, Malaysian Box Turtles, Chinese Yellow-Marginated Box Turtles, Twistnecks, Spiny Turtles, Indonesian Snake-necks, Australian Snake-necks, Central American Ornate Woods, South American Woods, Argentine Snake-necks, Indian Spotted Pond Turtles, Asian Leaf Turtles, Chiapas Giant Musk, Chinese Softshells, Chinese Big-head Turtles.

Large: Medium Yellow-spotted Amazon River Turtles, Spot-bellied Side-necks, Belize Sliders, Female Nicaraguan Sliders.

Very Large: Larger Fly River Turtles, Mexican Giant Musk Turtles, Black Wood Turtles, Matamatas, Larger Yellow-spotted Amazon River Turtles, Painted River Turtles, Black Ray Softshell.

Huge: Giant Amazon River Turtle, Giant Asian Softshells (Chitra chitra & Chitra indica).

 

Appendix VI.) Exotic Turtles by Minimum Enclosure Size.

            These are minimum enclosure sizes for a moderately comfortable existence. In nearly all cases at least the next step up in enclosure size is recommended. These are also judgment calls & some will disagree with me.

20 Gallon Long (not regular) Aquarium – Black-breasted Leaf Turtle.

29 Gallon Aquarium – Red-cheeked Mud Turtle, White-lipped Mud Turtle.

55 Gallon Aquarium – White-throated Mud Turtle, Reeves Turtle, African Helmetted Turtle, smaller Asian Big-headed Turtle, Twistneck Turtle.

75 Gallon Aquarium – European Pond Turtle, Chinese Golden Thread Turtle, Caspian Creek Turtle, Japanese Pond Turtle, Male Kwangtung River Turtle, Red-bellied Short-neck, Male Australian Snake-neck, Male Chinese Softshell, Central American Ornate Wood Turtle, South American Wood Turtle, Asian Leaf Turtle, Male Argentine Snake-neck, Chinese Yellow-Marginated Box Turtle, Chiapas Giant Musk, Larger Asian Big-headed Turtle.

125 Gallon Aquarium – Female Kwangtung River Turtle, New Guinea Snapper, Indonesian Snake-neck, Female Australian Snake-neck, Female Chinese Softshell, Malaysian Box Turtle, Red-headed Amazon River Turtle, Male Spot-bellied Side-neck, Female Argentine Snake-neck, Indian Spotted Pond Turtle, Spiny Turtles, Smaller Yellow-Spotted Amazon River Turtles.

240 Gallon Aquarium – Male Belize Slider, Nicaraguan Slider, Female Spot-bellied Side-neck, Black Wood Turtle, Mexican Giant Musk, Medium Fly River Turtles,

300 Gallon Stock Tank (i.e.: Rubbermaid stock tank) – Female Belize Slider, Large Matamata, Largest Female Yellow-Spotted Amazon River Turtle, Male Painted River Terrapin, Larger Fly River Turtles.

Massive (500 gallon+) Custom Enclosures – Larger Female Painted Terrapin, Chitra softshells, Giant Amazon River Turtles, Black Ray Softshell.

Appendix VII.) Legal Concerns.

    Disclaimer: We do not provide professional legal advice or analysis; the information in this section is lay interpretation provided in good faith with no guarantees whatsoever. For a more thorough discussion of these issues refer to Reptiles Magazine May '05 article Herp Law³⁷. The availability of exotic turtle species is impacted by the law at the international, federal, state, municipal (city) & contract (i.e.: terms of your lease or insurance) law. Individual state, municipal & contract laws are beyond the scope of this article. You may need to check your local laws (I've been told by pet store employees in Tennessee that it's illegal for them to sell turtles, for instance). We can take a look at the 3 major legal entities impacting exotics availability across the U.S.

1.) CITES - a.k.a. the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora & Fauna.

    An international treaty signed by many countries (including the U.S.) governing the export & import of wildlife between countries (enforcement is determined by each country within its own borders). It is intended to protect native wildlife populations from over-exploitation via exportation, whether for the pet industry (i.e.: pet turtles) or other uses. Animals included in CITES are classified into one of three appendixes. Sometimes only part of an animal's range is covered by CITES (i.e.: Reeves Turtles in China are CITES Appendix III). For a current listing of all CITES Appendixes, click here. Exotic Freshwater Turtle species covered under CITES as of this writing:

Appendix I: The most critically endangered species; generally no international commercial trade allowed.

• 1.) Batagur baska (Giant River Terrapin).

• 2.) Geoclemys hamiltonii (Indian Spotted Pond Turtle).

• 3.) Kachuga tecta (Indian Roofed Turtle, Indian Pond Turtle).

• 4.) Melanochelys tricarinata (Tricarinate Hill Turtle; Three-keeled Land Turtle).

• 5.) Morenia ocellata (Burmese Eyed Turtle).

• 6.) Pseudemydura umbrina (Western Swamp Turtle).

• 7.) Terrapene coahuila (Coahuilan Box Turtle).

• 8.) Aspideretes ater (a.k.a. Apalone spinifera ater) - Black Spiny Softshell Turtle, Mexico Softshell Turtle).

• 9.) Aspideretes gangeticus (Indian Soft-shelled Turtle, Ganges Softshell Turtle).

• 10.) Aspideretes hurum (Peacock Soft-shell Turtle, Lower Ganges Softshell Turtle).

• 11.) Aspideretes nigricans (Black Soft-shelled Turtle, Bostami Softshell Turtle, Chittagong Softshell Turtle, Dark Soft-shelled Turtle).

Note: The Vietnamese Pond Turtle (Mauremys annanemsis) is nearly or wholly extinct in the wild & will probably be listed on CITES I soon (so if you want one, time may be running out!).

Appendix II:     Those not immediately threatened with extinction but requiring preventive protection. Some international trade is allowed but regulated.

• 1.) Annamemys annamensis (Vietnam Leaf Turtle).

• 2.) Callagur borneoensis (Painted River Turtle).

• 3.) Carettochelys insculpta (Fly River Turtle).

• 4.) Chelodina mccordi (Roti Island Snake-Necked Turtle).

• 5.) Chitra species (giant narrow-headed Asian softshells).

• 6.) Cuora species (includes the Malaysian box turtle).

• 7.) Dermatemys mawii (Central American River Turtle).

• 8.) Erymnochelys madagascariensis (Madagascar Big-headed Turtle).

• 9.) Heosemys depressa (Akaran Forest Turtle).

• 10.) Heosemys grandis (Giant Asian Pond Turtle).

• 11.) Heosemys leytensis (Philippine Forest Turtle).

• 12.) Heosemys spinosa (Spiny Turtle).

• 13.) Hieremys annandalii (Temple Turtle).

• 14.) Kachuga kachuga (Red-crowned Roofed Turtle; Indian Painted Roof Turtle).

• 15.) Kachuga smithii (Brown Roofed Turtle).

• 16.) Kachuga sylhetensis (Assam Roofed Turtle).

• 17.) Kachuga tentoria (more than 1 sub-species; Circled Indian Tent Turtle; Yellow-bellied Tent Turtle, Indian Tent Turtle).

• 18.) Kachuga trivitata (Burmese Roofed Turtle).

• 19.) Leucocephalon yuwonoi (Sulawesi Forest Turtle).

• 20.) Lissemys punctata (Indian Flapshell Turtle, Indo-Gangetic Flapshell Turtle). (Note: Chelidman said they were recently removed (de-listed) from CITES).

• 21.) Mauremys mutica (Asian Yellow Pond Turtle).

• 22.) Orlitia borneensis (Malaysian Giant Turtle).

• 23.) Pelochelys species (Asian Giant Softshell, New Guinea Softshell, one other).

• 24.) Peltocephalus dumeriliana (Big-headed Amazon River Turtle).

• 25.) Platysternon species (Asian big-head turtles).

• 26.) Podocnemis species (Amazon River Turtles - i.e.: red-headed, yellow-spotted, giant).

• 27.) Pyxidea mouhotii (Jagged Shell or Keeled Box Turtle).

• 28.) Siebenrockiella crassicolis (Smiling Terrapin, Black Terrapin, Black Mud Terrapijn or Malaysian Black Mud Turtle).

• 29.) Terrapene species (Includes North American box turtles).

Appendix III: Lowest level of protection, some international trade allowed & many of these listings only apply to part of the animal's native range (so a Reeves Turtle from China is 'CITES III,' but a one from Japan is not). Scott Thomson indicated CITES III is more of a 'watched' status than a regulated one & tends to have little impact on international trade. Some are species who failed to achieve CITES II listing, & some are 'indeterminant' (it's not yet clear whether the species needs/will benefit from CITES protection).

• 1.) Chinemys megalocephala (China) - Chinese Broad-headed Pond Turtle.

• 2.) Chinemys nigricans (China) - Kwangtung River Turtle, Chinese Redneck Turtle.

• 3.) Chinemys reevesii - Reeves Turtle (China).

• 4.) Geoemyda spengleri - Black-breasted Leaf Turtle (China).

• 5.) Mauremys iversoni (China) - Iverson's Pond Turtle.

• 6.) Mauremys pritchardi (China) - Pritchard's Pond Turtle.

• 7.) Ocadia glyphistoma (China) - Guangxi Stripe-necked Turtle.

• 8.) Ocadia philippeni (China) - Philippen's Stripe-necked Turtle.

• 9.) Ocadia sinensis (China) - Chinese Golden Thread, Chinese Striped-neck Turtle.

• 10.) Palea steindachneri (China) - Wattle-necked Softshell Turtle.

• 11.) Pelodiscus axenaria (China) - Chinese Softshell Turtle.

• 12.) Pelodiscus maackii (China) - Chinese Softshell Turtle.

• 13.) Pelodiscus parviformis (China) - Chinese Softshell Turtle.

• 14.) Pelodiscus sinensis (China) - Chinese Softshell Turtle.

• 15.) Pelomedusa subrufa (Ghana) - African Helmetted Turtle.

• 16.) Pelusios adansonii (Ghana) - Adanson's Mud Turtle.

• 17.) Pelusios castaneus (Ghana) - West African Mud Turtle.

• 18.) Pelusios gabonensis (Ghana) - African Forest Turtle.

• 19.) Pelusios niger (Ghana) - West African Black Forest Turtle.

• 20.) Rafetus swinhoei (China) - Shanghai Softshell Turtle.

• 21.) Sacalia bealei (China) - Beal's Eyed Turtle.

• 22.) Sacalia pseudocellata (China) - False-eyed Turtle.

• 23.) Sacalia quadriocellata (China) - Four-eyed Turtle.

• 24.) Trionyx triunguis (Ghana) - Nile Softshell Turtle.

    In the United States, CITES is enforced by the United States Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) & prosecuted under the Lacey Act.

    Practical Impact: CITES categorization reduces the importation of exotic species into the United States. This ranges from a minor inconvenience in common, easily bred species (i.e.: Malaysian Box Turtle) to a limiter of availability in fairly prolific species with a small current U.S. presence (i.e.: Indian Spotted Pond Turtle) to a major threat to availability of species what are rarely if ever bred in captivity (i.e.: the Fly River Turtle). CITES paperwork may impact time to acquire & cost of acquisition (i.e.: ordering a Chitra chitra from Chitrachitra.com).

2.) ESA - a.k.a. the Endangered Species Act.

    United States Federal Law restricting the transport of included species across state lines & prohibiting collecting from the wild & harming/harassing these animals. Animals are classified as either Endangered or Threatened. You can do jail time for violating the ESA. Mainly enforced by the USFWS. It is not always illegal to own an ESA-listed animal but it is regulated.

    Practical Impact: The ESA may prohibit ownership of a given species in a state. It may also 'state-lock' a species (i.e.: Bog Turtles, Indian Spotted Pond Turtles & yellow-spotted Amazon River Turtles in Florida) by forbidding out-of-state sells (for example, Bog Turtle vendors at the Daytona Captive Reptile Breeders' Expo. '04 would not sell bog turtles to out-of-state residents, & required prospective customers produce a Florida Driver's License to quality for purchase). It has been speculated that one could 'give' an ESA-listed turtle (i.e.: Indian Spotted Pond Turtle) to an out-of-state 'friend' legally as long as no money changed hands. I have yet to see confirmation of this & vendors appear unwilling to participate in sales that even look shady. It's thought the USFWS has no sense of humor on the matter & no one wants to try & see how far 'innocent until proven guilty' goes.

    Curiously, some non-U.S. species are covered by the ESA. Non-U.S. freshwater turtles covered by ESA I'm aware of are:

• Batagur baska (Giant River Terrapin).

• Dermatemys mawii (Central American River Turtle).

• Geoclemys hamiltonii (Indian Spotted Pond Turtle).

• Kachuga tecta (Indian Roofed Turtle, Indian Pond Turtle).

• Melanochelys tricarinata (Tricarinate Hill Turtle; Three-keeled Land Turtle).

• Morenia ocellata (Burmese Eyed Turtle).

• Phrynops hogei (Hoge's Side-necked Turtle).

• Podocnemis expansa (Giant Amazon River Turtle).

• Podocnemis unifilis (Yellow-Spotted Amazon River Turtle).

• Pseudemydura umbrina (Western Swamp Turtle).

• Terrapene coahuila (Coahuilan Box Turtle).

• Aspideretes ater (a.k.a. Apalone spinifera ater) - Black Spiny Softshell Turtle, Mexico Softshell Turtle).

• Aspideretes gangeticus (Indian Soft-shelled Turtle, Ganges Softshell Turtle).

• Aspideretes hurum (Peacock Soft-shell Turtle, Lower Ganges Softshell Turtle).

• Aspideretes nigricans (Black Soft-shelled Turtle, Bostami Softshell Turtle, Chittagong Softshell Turtle, Dark Soft-shelled Turtle).

• Trachemys scripta callirostris (Gray's Slider).

• Trachemys stejnegeri malonei (Inagua Slider).

• Trachemys terrapen (Jamaican Slider).

3.) The Lacey Act.

    A Federal Law predating CITES & the ESA that protects U.S.-native animals by prohibiting movement or sales of animals in violation of state, federal or tribal law, or treaty; it's also used to prosecute CITES violations in the U.S.A. Protected animals & personal property used in committing the violation can be seized (you really don't want to be pulled over in your Ferrari with an illegally-imported CITES specimen riding shotgun...). Can also be used to prosecute inhumane transport.

    Practical Impact: Lacey doesn't spell out what you can & cannot own; it provides a legal framework for determining penalties for those who violate other legislation that does specify specific animals.

Bibliography.

1.) Keeping and Breeding Freshwater Turtles - Russ Gurley (Director of the Turtle & Tortoise Preservation Group). © 2003. Living Art Publishing, Ada, Okalahoma. 305 Pages (309+ full color photos). ISBN 0-9638130-3-X

2.) Practical Encyclopedia of Keeping and Breeding Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles – A. C. Highfield. Carapace Press, London, England. ©1996.

3.) Turtles of the World CD-ROM - by C.H. Ernst, R.G.M. Altenburg and R.W. Barbour. World Biodiversity Series. Biodiversity Center of ETI, Multimedia Software. Windows Version 1.2. (I believe out-of-print but I found mine on eBay).

4.) Reeves' Turtle, Chinemys reevesii - Mae Smith. Tortuga Gazette 27(8): 1-2, August 1991.

5.) The Reeve's Turtle, Chinemys reevesii: An Alternative to Sliders and Painted Turtles - David T. Kirkpatrick, Ph.D. © 1991. Originally published in Reptile & Amphibian Magazine, November/December 1991, pages 2-7.

6.) Chinemys reevsesii (Reeve's Turtle) Care - by Darrell Senneke. Copyright © 2003, 2004 World Chelonian Trust.

7.) The Captive Care of Chinemys nigricans, the Kwangtung River Turtle - by Darrell Senneke. Copyright © 2003 World Chelonian Trust.

8.) The Captive Care of Geoemyda spengleri, the Black-Breasted Leaf Turtle - by Russ Gurley, Director - Turtle and Tortoise Preservation Group. © 2004 Asian Turtle Consortium.

9.) The Black-Breasted Leaf Turtle, Geoemyda spengleri (Gmelin 1789) - by Paula Morris and Chris Tabaka DVM. Copyright © 2003, 2004 World Chelonian Trust.

10.) Chinese Striped-neck Turtle (Ocadia sinensis) - by Darrell Senneke. Copyright © 2003 World Chelonian Trust.

11.) Husbandry and Captive Breeding of the Spotted Pond Turtle, Geoclemys hamiltoni - Wayne Hill and David S, Lee - © 2004 Asian Turtle Consortium.

12.) Spiny Hill Turtles, Heosemys spinosa - by Russ Gurley, , Director - Turtle and Tortoise Preservation Group.

13.) The Malayan Box Turtle (Cuora amboinensis) - by Darrell Senneke and Chris Tabaka DVM. Copyright © 2003, 2004 World Chelonian Trust.

14.) The Argentine Snake-necked Turtle (Hydromedusa tectifera) - by C. Dee Dillon. Tortuga Gazette 28(5): 1-2, May 1992.

15.) Australian Snake-necked Turtle, Chelodina longicollis - by DArren Green. Tortuga Gazette 28(5): 2-3, May 1992.

16.) Australian Red-bellied Short-necked Turtle, Emydura subglobosa - by Ellen Nicol. Tortuga Gazette 29(2): 1-3, February 1993.

17.) Mata Mata, Chelus fibriatus - by William H. Espenshade, III - Tortuga Gazette 26: (5) 3-5, May 1990.

18.) Propagation of the Batagurine Turtles Batagur baska and Callagur borneoensis at the Bronx Zoo - by Sandra Blando, John L. Behler and Faith Kostel. Proceedings 1'rst International Symposium on Turtles & Tortoises: Conservations and Captive Husbandry. pp. 63-65, 1991.

19.) The Pig-nosed Turtle, Carettochelys insculpta - by Michael Bargeron. Tortuga Gazette 33(3): 1-2, March 1997.

20.) Chitra indica: Narrow-headed Giant Soft-shelled Turtle - The Captive Care of Chitra indica, the Giant Narrow-headed Softshell - by Russ Gurley, Director - Turtle and Tortoise Preservation Group. © 2004 The Asian Turtle Consortium.

21.) Twist-necked Turtle, Platemys platycephala - by C. Dee Dillon. Tortuga Gazette 30(2): 1-2, February 1994.

22.) Big-Headed Turtles, Platysternon megacephalum - by Russ Gurley, Director - Turtle and Tortoise Preservation Group. © 2004 The Asian Turtle Consortium. (Excerpt from Gurley, R. 2003. Keeping and Breeding Freshwater Turtles. Living Art Publishing. 305 pp.)

23.) D. Kirkpatrick, Asian Big-Headed Turtles (Platysternidae), in The Biology, Husbandry and Health Care of Reptiles, Volume II: The Husbandry of Reptiles, Lowell Ackerman, DVM, editor, published by T.F.H Publications, 1997, pg 438-446.

24.) D. Kirkpatrick, The Big-headed Turtle, Platysternon megacephalum, Reptile & Amphibian Magazine, Nov/Dec 1995 pg 40-47.

25.) D. Kirkpatrick, African Side-necked Mud Turtle: classification & husbandry. Reptile & Amphibian Magazine, Mar/Apr 1995 pg 32-40.

26.) An Essay on Taxonomy and the Genus Pelusios - by David Kirkpatrick, Ph.D. © 1995 by David T. Kirkpatrick. Originally published in Reptile and Amphibian Magazine, March/April 1995, pages 32-40.

27.) D. Kirkpatrick, The Matamata. Reptile & Amphibian Magazine, Sept/Oct. 1992, pg 34-39.

28.) European Pond Turtle, Emys orbicularis - by Diane Levine. Tortuga Gazette 29(6): 1-3, June 1993.

29.) Captive Propagation and Husbandry of the Vietnamese Leaf Turtle, Geoemyda spengleri - by James Buskirk, The Vivarium 5(5):28-29, 31-33, November/December 1993.

30.) Cuora amboinensis Care Sheet - Mary Hopson, TurtlePuddle.org.

31.) Australian Snake-necked Turtle - Mary Hopson, TurtlePuddle.org.

32.) Chinese Striped-neck Turtle, Ocadia sinensis - Mary Hopson, TurtlePuddle.org.

33.) Mauremys japonica - Mary Hopson, TurtlePuddle.org.

34.) Spiny Turtle, Heosemys spinosa - Mary Hopson, TurtlePuddle.org.

35.) Red-bellied Short-necked Turtle: Emydura subglobosa - Mary Hopson, TurtlePuddle.org.

36.) South American Flat-headed Turtle, Platemys platycephala - Mary Hopson, TurtlePuddle.org.

37.) Herp Law - by Philip W. Esbenshade, J.D., an attorney with the Public Defender's Office in California - article published in Reptiles Magazine, May 2005, Pages 58-73.

38.) Empire of the Turtle's Spot-bellied Side-neck Info. Page - by Eric Holt.

39.) Keeping and Breeding the White-Lipped Mud Turtle Kinosternon leucostomum - by Maik Schilde. Article in Reptilia (The European Herp Magazine) Number 26, February 2003.

40.) The Chinese Box Turtle Cistoclemmys flavomarginata - Michael J. Conner & Vickie Wheeler. Tortuga Gazette 34(10): 1-7, October 1998.

Special Thanks to:

    Note: The contributions necessary to an article of this scope are enormous in scope. That said, I'd like to recognize a few of our more prominent contributors.

1. Tom C. - Information resources & photos.

2. Zebeck - Provided the main info. for the Caspian Creek Turtle write-up. Info. on Herp. law & other info. Editorial assistance.

3. Jan - Info. on Australian & Indonesian Snake-necks, & Fly River Turtles.

4. Scott Thomson - Info. on Australian & Indonesian Snake-necks, & Fly River Turtles. Info. on Herp. law.

5. Eric B. - Info. on some species (particularly exotic muds).

6. Turtle Pimp - Info. on some species via TurtlePimp.com & photos. Info. on Herp. law.

7. Paul Vander Schouw (Chelidman) - pics & info.

8. JJ (Wu-Gwei) - Info. via ATP Care-sheets & a Photo.

9. Batagur - Information on different species & the market.

10. Jeff Dawson - Information.

 

Richard.