Where To Buy Musk Turtles

Where can you get musk turtles?

Common musk turtles have a wide geographic range in eastern North America. They can be found from Florida to Ontario and west to Texas and Wisconsin. They are found in both slow-flowing sections of stream and river habitats as well as lakes and ponds.

How much does a common musk turtle cost?

The average Musk Turtle costs anywhere from $20 to $70 which is a low price compared to other reptiles. The main cost comes from setting up their enclosure which requires a lot of enhancements.

Should I get a mud or musk turtle?

Mud turtles have a hinged plastron (lower shell) similar to that of a box turtle but cannot close up like a box turtle. Musk turtles have a smaller plastron with no hinge or less obvious hinge. … Mud turtles have a much better developed plastron than the Musk turtle for better protection.

Are common musk turtles friendly?

The Common Musk Turtle is the smallest aquatic turtle in North America rarely growing more than 5 (13 cm) inches in length. … But they’re not as friendly or tame as Painted Turtles or Sliders. Most of them don’t like to be handled and they may bite you if you handle them roughly.

Does musk turtle stink?

These reptiles got the name “musk turtle” because of a special adaptation they have. They have glands around the edges of their shells that release a chemical with an unpleasant odor like musk to deter predators.

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Do musk turtle bites hurt?

Do Musk Turtles’ Bites Hurt? The bites of young common musk turtles are not painful and just like the case with adults these turtles may only attempt to bite occasionally mainly because of improper handling.

What size tank do I need for 2 musk turtles?

How do you keep Common Musk Turtles? Due to their small size an adult can be kept in a minimum 24″ aquarium (20 gallon) a pair or trio in a 36″ (30 gallon). Babies should be kept in a smaller aquarium and moved as they grow.

What’s the smallest turtle you can buy?

  • Small Turtle Species #1: Mississippi Mud Turtle (4 inches)
  • Small Turtle Species #2: Bog Turtle (3-4 inches)
  • Small Turtle Species #3: Common Musk Turtle (2-4.5 inches)
  • Small Turtle Species #4: Michigan Spotted Turtle (3-4 inches)
  • Small Turtle Species #5: Reeve’s Turtle (6 inches)

How long do musk turtles live?

Common Musk Turtle Fact Sheet
Class: Reptilia
Genus: Sternotherus
Species: odoratum
Life span: 50 or more years
Egg Gestation: Females lay 1 – 9 eggs that hatch 60 – 85 days later

What size tank do musk turtles need?

One thing you’ll notice about the common musk turtle is that it really loves to swim. Because of this they need a bigger tank than you would think considering their size. We suggest going with a tank size of 30 gallons for one adult turtle and a 40 gallon tank for a pair. But if you can go with a bigger tank do it!

Do turtles stink?

You might think of reptiles as not having much odor at all and certainly a wet turtle doesn’t smell anything like a wet dog but they can still produce unpleasant smells. It is also possible for a tank to develop a bad smell from causes other than the turtles for example with stale or rotting food.

Can musk turtles live out of water?

Mud/Musk Turtles and Spotted Turtles are species that live in more shallow water and they can stay out of water for a much longer time than Painted Turtles and even Red Eared Sliders. It’s been observed that Musk Turtles have been able to spend several months at a time on land not even during brumation.

Can musk turtles live alone?

I suggest you keep just the one musks its nonsense that they become lonely in the wild they are solitary creatures only coming together to bask or mate. By keeping two you may well encounter aggression meaning 2 set ups.

How long can a musk turtle stay out of water?

However usually aquatic turtles can stay in the sun for around 6-8 hours out of the water. When in a cool place or rather a shade they can remain out for approximately 2 to 3 days.

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What is the easiest turtle to have as a pet?

red-eared sliders
The best varieties for beginners are male painted turtles U.S. mud and musk turtles and male red-eared sliders she says. “Turtles require more maintenance and space than most people generally assume ” Pauli says “and they live for decades so buyers should be aware that they are a pet that may well outlive them.”Jun 5 2018

Do musk turtles like to be handled?

They are also known for being rather spunky and can scratch and bite if they feel uncomfortable. They have a long and flexible neck which also makes it easier to grab their target. All turtles should be handled with care and respect.

How deep should the water be for a musk turtle?

Chlorine free water depth should be around 10 inches in the shallow end and 24 inches deep in the deep end for adults and 3 to 4 inches deep for hatchlings. Musk turtles enjoy a mild current in the water which can be created using strong filters or water jets.

Can musk turtles live with fish?

The razorback musk turtle can be kept in a tropical fish aquarium of an appropriate size but be prepared to lose fish. … A note of caution: Musk turtles eat fish and almost anything else they can catch. Advertisement. Be prepared to lose a few fish at first until your fish learn to avoid their new tankmate.

Can musk turtles breathe underwater?

(PhysOrg.com) — The North American common musk turtle (Sternotherus odoratus) is a pretty ordinary sort of turtle except for one thing newly discovered by Austrian scientists: it can breathe through its tongue which allows it to remain underwater for months.

What turtles are aggressive?

Some species tend to be more aggressive than others in particular: snapping turtles African helmeted turtles snakenecks/sidenecks soft-shelled turtles and sliders. Some species are less aggressive than others such as: red-bellied cooters diamond back terrapins and box turtles.

What age do musk turtles breed?

Incubation takes 9 to 12 weeks. Female turtles reach sexual maturity at 9 to 11 years males at 3 to 4 years. A musk turtle’s lifespan is 20 to 50 years.

Should I turn off my turtles heat lamp at night?

Many turtle owners wonder if they need to keep the light on in their turtle’s tank at night. Luckily the answer to that is no. Your turtle will be just fine if the light is turned off during night time hours. It is actually recommended that they are exposed to a natural amount of light and darkness each day.

Do turtles like cold or hot water?

If the water in a turtle’s tank is too cold they will get sick. But if the water is too warm they may not come out to bask often enough which can also make them sick. Your turtle needs the water temperature to be within a few degrees of just right in order to survive and be healthy.

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What is the friendliest turtle?

Red Eared Slider

Red Eared Sliders are one of the most popular of all the aquatic turtle species. They tend to be friendlier and more sociable than some of their relatives they’re pretty active and they’re widely available.

What turtles will stay small forever?

The 12 Pet Turtles That Stay Small
  • Red Eared Slider Turtle.
  • Spotted Turtles.
  • Mud Turtles.
  • Musk Turtle.
  • Reeve’s Turtle.
  • Bog Turtle.
  • The Desert Box.
  • Florida Softshell Turtle.

Are baby turtles illegal?

It’s illegal to sell or distribute pet turtles with shells less than 4 inches long because they spread salmonella. Forty years ago the U.S. outlawed the sale of small turtles as pets because they harbor salmonella a bacterium that causes a highly unpleasant and occasionally deadly illness in humans.

Do musk turtles carry salmonella?

Turtles can carry Salmonella germs in their droppings even while looking healthy and clean. These germs can easily spread to their bodies tank water and habitats. People can get sick after they touch a turtle or anything in their habitats.

What do musk turtle eat?

Habits: Musk Turtles are primarily nocturnal and they are often seen foraging in shallow water in the evening. They are omnivorous (e.g. seeds insects snails tadpoles algae) and will occasionally scavenge on fish carrion.

Can musk turtles eat lettuce?

Shredded carrots squash and zucchini are great foods that turtles can eat too. You can also go with edible aquatic vegetation such as water lettuce water hyacinth and duckweed.

What is the smallest turtle breed?

The Smallest Turtle in the World –Speckled Padloper Tortoise

These tiny creatures measure a full 3 inches (6-8 cm) for adult males and 4 inches (8-10 cm) for adult females. And weigh in at a beefy 100-165 grams! The ‘padloper’ in the animals’ name means ‘trail walker.

Can turtles see color?

Like birds turtles have excellent tetrachromatic color vision.

Is it cruel to have a pet turtle?

Turtles let loose might die and they might carry disease that kills other turtles. If they live they can out-compete native species for food and habitat threatening native biodiversity. … To protect your health the earth and the animals please don’t get a turtle for a pet!

How do you wash a turtle?

Can musk turtles go outside?

Musks do very well outdoors however should not be introduced until spring.

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