Spotted turtle — Care Sheet & Morphs

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

Night min12 °C

Cool side18–22 °C

Warm side24–27 °C

Basking spot27–30 °C

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.

Enclosure (adult)

90 × 45 × 40 cm

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.

Humidity

60–80 %

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.

Substrate

Fine sand (aquatic zone)Smooth rounded gravel (too large to be swallowed)Unfertilised soil / sphagnum moss (land and nesting zone)

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.

UVB

Recommended

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.

Water source

Always available

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.

Origin

Emydidae

Eastern North America (southeastern Canada and the eastern United States), in peat bogs, marshes, ditches and slow, shallow watercourses.

Feeding & health

Diet

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.

Breeding

Oviparous

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).

Health watch points

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

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Spotted turtle × Spotted turtle

Probabilities per gene (independent loci).

Expected clutchSelect at least one gene on a parent.

Frequently asked questions

Answers to the most common questions about keeping the spotted turtle.

How big does an adult spotted turtle get?▾

It is one of the smallest turtles in the world: the adult carapace measures only 9 to 12 cm in length. Females generally have a more domed shell, while males are distinguished by a longer, thicker tail.

What kind of setup suits it, a terrarium or a pond?▾

It needs a semi-aquatic aqua-terrarium or paludarium combining a shallow pool, with 10 to 20 cm of water and easy exits, with a genuine dry land area equipped with a basking platform. Allow a minimum of 90 cm long, 45 cm wide and 40 cm high for one adult, enlarging the space for each additional turtle; a secure outdoor pond is even ideal in a temperate climate.

What water quality and filtration should be provided?▾

The water must stay clean and filtered: soiled water quickly causes shell rot and skin infections in this species. Regular water changes are therefore essential, in addition to very shallow areas that make it easy to get out, since the spotted turtle is a rather weak swimmer.

What water temperature and basking spot temperature should be maintained?▾

Unlike many aquatic turtles, this is a cool-water species: the water should be kept between 18 and 22°C, with a moderate basking spot of 27 to 30°C. Overheating is actually dangerous, since water exceeding around 28°C can trigger lethargy and aestivation.

Is UVB necessary?▾

Yes, it is essential: a 5% UVB tube (T5) should be installed above the basking platform and replaced every 6 to 12 months. Exposure to real sunlight, for instance via an outdoor pond, remains the best option for vitamin D3 synthesis and shell health.

What does a spotted turtle eat, and how often?▾

Its carnivorous/omnivorous diet includes earthworms, bloodworms, snails and aquatic invertebrates, insects, small larvae, tadpoles and carrion, supplemented with a few aquatic plants; it prefers to feed in shallow water. Adults are fed 2 to 3 times a week, with added calcium and vitamins, avoiding overfeeding, which easily leads to obesity in captivity.

What is its lifespan, and what commitment does that represent?▾

It is an exceptionally long-lived species: 30 to 50 years are commonly reached, with documented records exceeding 65 years, and even more than 100 years. Adopting a spotted turtle therefore means committing for several decades, well beyond the average owner's lifetime.

What is its everyday temperament like?▾

It is a lively, curious and intelligent turtle, not very shy, that actively patrols shallow water in search of food. It recognises its keeper fairly quickly, which makes it a pleasant species to observe, although it remains more active in the cool temperatures of spring and tends to aestivate during intense heat.

Should it go through a winter brumation period?▾

Yes, a winter brumation of around 5 to 10°C for several weeks is beneficial and generally necessary to trigger reproduction. It corresponds to the natural cycle of this species, which is native to eastern North America, where peat bogs and marshes cool markedly in winter.

Can you freely acquire a spotted turtle?▾

No: it is a protected species, listed in CITES Appendix II since 2023 and classified as Endangered by the IUCN, and its keeping and trade are strictly regulated in many countries. You must obtain only captive-bred specimens accompanied by legal documentation, and never take individuals from the wild.

What health problems should be monitored?▾

The main risks are shell rot or ulcerative dermatitis linked to poor water quality, respiratory infections if the water is too cold or the platform unheated, and metabolic bone disease from a UVB or calcium deficiency. Wild-caught specimens also often carry a significant internal parasite load.

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