Map Turtle (Graptemys geographica)

This turtle is found in the Great Lakes region. Its habitat is Moving waters, such as rivers and large streams. These turtles can be demanding because they need higher water quality. Basking sites are essential for these turtles. If kept inside an ultraviolet lamp is a must, and so is a heat lamp that provides a temperature between 84 and 94 degrees.  One or two small map turtles can live in a 40-gallon tank, with water temperature between 72 and 80 degrees. They can be prone to bacterial shell rot. Adults are primarily carnivorous. Insects and worms are eagerly consumed. To promote good shell and bone health these turtles should be given calcium and vitamin D3 supplement. Hatchling turtles eat duckweed and other aquatic plants.

Western Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta bellii)

These turtles are found in the United States and Canada. This turtle occurs in prairie wetlands, river flood plains and river oxbows.  If kept outside, a 50- to 150-gallon pond is ideal, inside, the smallest tank recommended for one turtle is 20 gallons. These turtles bask and need a platform of some sort, such as a log, rock or turtle basking platform. The water temperature should be around 70 degrees.  If kept inside, the turtles require a basking light providing ultraviolet rays and also a heating lamp that keeps a hot spot around 90 degrees. They are omnivorous.

Red-Eared Slider (Trachemys scripta elegans)

This turtle can be seen in permanent ponds, flood-plain swamps and slow-moving rivers. They are easily maintained as long as the turtles have a large aquarium. A 60-gallon tank could house two adult turtles. Water temperature should be around 75 degrees, and a water filter can be used to maintain water quality. A basking site is required. These are omnivorous and eat aquatic plants, turtle pellets and animal matter.

Leopard Tortoises (Geochelone carbonaria)

leopard tortoises reach about 16-18 inches and 40-50 pounds. You can expect a leopard tortoise to live 50 years or more. Leopard tortoise are herbivorous grazers so their ideal diet is high fiber grasses and greens. Pesticide-free grass is good for grazing, and the diet should primarily consist of grasses such as orchard grass or hay. Outdoor housing is preferable for leopard tortoises where the climate allows. Daytime temperatures should be 80-90 F.  They cannot tolerate cool or damp conditions. A large sturdy enclosure with protection from predators is necessary, along with shade.

Hermann's Tortoises (Testudo hermanni)

These are small to medium sized tortoises that can make charming pets. This species occurs naturally in Mediterranean Europe. Hermann's tortoise should be expected to live for over 50 years. T. hermanni rarely grow larger than 18 cm. Tortoises do not generally enjoy being handled. Care should be taken to avoid dropping your tortoise whilst handling. n their natural habitat there is an abundance of edible low lying shrubs and weeds. These tortoises need to be provided with a diet high in fiber and calcium, but low in protein and carbohydrates. The majority of the diet should be a blend of different dark leafy greens.  An indoor enclosure such as a tortoise table is the primary housing, with a supervised outdoor run used during the day in warmer weather (above 17ËšC) to allow for essential exposure to natural sunlight.