Husbandry requirements
Spotted turtle — origin: Eastern North America (southeastern Canada and the eastern United States), in peat bogs, marshes, ditches and slow, shallow watercourses..
Terrarium temperature gradient
A COOL-water turtle: overheating is dangerous (lethargy and aestivation above about 28°C in the water). Water kept at 18-22°C, a moderate basking spot at 27-30°C. A winter brumation (~5-10°C, several weeks) is beneficial and generally necessary for reproduction.
Aqua-terrarium / semi-aquatic paludarium (shallow pool + dry land area with a basking spot).
Dimensions for one adult; enlarge for each additional individual. Shallow water (10-20 cm) with easy exits, a basking platform and a dry area are essential. A secure outdoor pond (protected from predators and escapes) is ideal in a temperate climate. PROTECTED SPECIES: listed in CITES Appendix II (since 2023) and classified as Endangered by the IUCN; protected in many US states. Keeping and trade are strictly regulated — acquire only captive-bred specimens with legal documents and NEVER take from the wild.
A naturally humid environment owing to the aquatic part; humidity is not a critical parameter as long as the water stays clean and the dry area remains available.
Avoid any fine angular gravel or gravel of swallowable size (risk of impaction). Provide shallow areas, submerged supports (roots, plants) and easy access to the basking platform; these are weak swimmers.
Yes — essential. A 5 % UVB tube (T5 ~5.0) above the basking area, replaced every 6-12 months; exposure to real sunlight (outdoor pond) is excellent. Necessary for vitamin D3 synthesis, bone mineralisation and shell health.
Clean, shallow water (10-20 cm), filtered and dechlorinated. Provide very shallow areas and easy exits (weak swimmers). Regular water changes: soiled water quickly causes shell rot and skin infections.
Eastern North America (southeastern Canada and the eastern United States), in peat bogs, marshes, ditches and slow, shallow watercourses.
Feeding & health
Carnivore / Omnivore — Earthworms, bloodworms, snails and aquatic invertebrates, insects, small larvae, tadpoles, carrion; supplemented with some aquatic plants.
Feeds preferentially in shallow water. Supplement with calcium/vitamins, vary the prey and avoid overfeeding (obesity is common in captivity). Adults fed 2-3 times a week.
Clutch 2–6 eggs/young. Very small clutches (1-8 eggs, most often 2-6). Terrestrial laying in spring/early summer; incubation of about 70-83 days. Temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD). A winter brumation acts as a breeding trigger. Do not encourage reproduction without a legal framework (protected species).
- Shell rot / ulcerative dermatitis (linked to poor water quality)
- Respiratory infections (water too cold combined with draughts or an unheated platform)
- Metabolic bone disease (UVB and/or calcium deficiency)
- Hypovitaminosis A (vitamin A deficiency: oedema, eye problems)
- Internal parasites, frequent and heavy in wild-origin specimens
Morphs & genetics
Registry of 2 documented genes for Spotted turtle.
- Albino (T-) amelanisticRec
- Hypomelanistic / Mahogany light phaseDom
Pairing calculator
Pick each parent's genotype — clutch probabilities update live. Free, no sign-up.
Spotted turtle × Spotted turtle
Probabilities per gene (independent loci).
Frequently asked questions
Answers to the most common questions about keeping the spotted turtle.
How big does an adult Spotted turtle get?▾
What temperature and humidity does a Spotted turtle need?▾
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