Keeping a Tortoise or Turtle as a Pet: What to Know Before You Start
, by Michael van Wassem, 7 min reading time
Thinking about a tortoise or turtle as a pet? Learn about lifespan, housing, feeding, hibernation and the legal rules before you start.
A tortoise or turtle can look like a calm, low-maintenance pet: no walks, no barking, no scratching post to replace. That picture is misleading, though. A tortoise or turtle has specific requirements for heat, light and food, can live for several decades, and for some species there are even legal restrictions.
The short answer: a tortoise or turtle is a long-term commitment that requires specialised housing, not a starter pet for someone with little time or space. In this article you'll read which type suits you, what housing and feeding require in terms of attention, what the law says about widely sold species such as the red-eared slider, and the mistakes beginners make most often.
Tortoise or turtle: an essential difference
These two groups differ so much in care that choosing between them is really the first and most important decision.
- Tortoises (such as the Greek tortoise) spend most of the year outdoors in an enclosed or dug-in outdoor pen with a frost-free overwintering spot, and are mostly plant eaters.
- Turtles (such as the red-eared slider) need a spacious aquaterrarium or an outdoor pond with a dry basking spot, water filtration, and eat mostly animal food as juveniles, gradually shifting to more plant-based food.
Both groups need direct sunlight or UV-B lighting to produce vitamin D3. Without UV-B, tortoises and turtles can develop serious shell deformities and bone problems over time.
How old can a tortoise or turtle get?
Many species kept as pets can live for several decades, some even longer than the age of their owner at the time of purchase. That makes a tortoise or turtle a pet you should really have a care plan for the rest of your life, with moves, growing families or holidays needing to be factored in for decades to come. If you buy one, assume you're taking on a care responsibility for the rest of your life, not just a few years.
Can you just keep a tortoise or turtle? Check the rules first
⚠️ Note: the red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans), long the most popular pet turtle, is treated as a species of concern under invasive non-native species legislation in the UK, and its sale and keeping are restricted. If you already own one, you can usually keep it, but it's worth checking the current rules with the relevant authority if you're unsure.
Other tortoise and turtle species are often subject to CITES rules, which restrict trade in threatened species. Always ask for a valid CITES certificate or proof of legal origin when buying, and never buy one without paperwork from a questionable seller. Never release a tortoise or turtle into the wild: non-native species can displace native wildlife and spread disease.
Housing: space, heat and light
The most common mistake is underestimating the space needed. A tortoise or turtle that fits in a small box as a juvenile can grow into an animal tens of centimetres long, needing a large outdoor pen or an aquaterrarium holding hundreds of litres.
For most species, some requirements stay the same:
- A temperature gradient: a warm side to bask on and a cooler side to retreat to, so the animal can regulate itself.
- UV-B lighting for animals kept indoors or without direct daylight.
- A dry resting spot for turtles, so they can dry off completely, which is essential for a healthy shell.
- Hiding places and room to dig for tortoises, and for some species, a frost-free overwintering spot.
For the warm basking spot, many keepers use a heat mat under part of the enclosure, together with a thermometer to monitor the temperature. For the basic setup of a terrarium or aquaterrarium, look for equipment specifically designed for reptile housing.
What does a tortoise or turtle eat?
Diet varies a lot by species and age. Tortoises mostly eat fibre-rich plants, herbs and weeds, and need little to no animal protein. Young turtles, on the other hand, eat a lot of animal food, such as water insects and small fish, while adults gradually eat more plant matter. A calcium deficiency relative to phosphorus is a common feeding problem and can lead to a soft or deformed shell. Look for suitable turtle or reptile food formulated for your species' specific dietary needs.
Hibernation: not for every tortoise or turtle
Some tortoise species need a period of hibernation (brumation) in the wild to follow their natural cycle. This is a controlled process with a gradual drop in temperature, not simply leaving an animal out in the cold. A poorly managed hibernation can be dangerous. If you're unsure whether your species needs to hibernate and how to do it safely, speak to a vet with reptile experience before you start.
Hygiene: watch out for salmonella
🐢 Practical example: tortoises and turtles, especially turtles, can carry salmonella bacteria without becoming ill themselves. Always wash your hands after contact with the animal, the enclosure or the water, and don't let young children play with a tortoise or turtle or touch the water unsupervised.
Common mistakes when keeping a tortoise or turtle
- Buying too small an enclosure. The young animal fits at first, but quickly outgrows it within a few years.
- Skipping UV-B lighting. Over time this leads to shell and bone problems that are difficult to fix.
- Feeding only animal food to an adult turtle. Too much protein can damage the shell and organs.
- Buying a tortoise or turtle on impulse, without paperwork. This can support illegal trade and often results in an animal with an unknown health history.
- Underestimating the lifespan. Buying a tortoise or turtle "for the kids" without a plan for the coming decades is one of the main reasons animals are later given up.
Checklist before getting a tortoise or turtle
- ☐ I know which species I want and have researched its specific requirements
- ☐ I have space for the enclosure the animal will need as an adult, not just as a juvenile
- ☐ I can provide the right heat, UV-B lighting and temperature gradient
- ☐ I know what the species eats and can provide it consistently
- ☐ I've checked whether the species has legal restrictions and ask for valid paperwork
- ☐ I have a plan for the coming decades, including moves and holidays
Frequently asked questions
Can a tortoise or turtle be kept alone, or does it need company?
Most species are solitary animals and don't need company to do well. If you keep more than one together, enough space is important to avoid stress between them.
Can a tortoise live outdoors in a UK garden?
Some tortoise species can live outdoors for much of the year, provided they have a frost-free overwintering spot. Turtles can spend summer in an outdoor pond, but need a dry, heated spot to warm up.
Is a tortoise or turtle suitable for children?
A tortoise or turtle can be an educational pet, but daily care and handwashing after contact remain an adult's responsibility. Don't treat one as an easy "first pet" without adult supervision.
What does it cost to keep a tortoise or turtle?
Buying a suitable enclosure, lighting and heating requires a larger upfront investment than many other small pets. After that, budget for ongoing costs for electricity, food and maintenance over the many years the animal will be with you.
Summary and conclusion
A tortoise or turtle is not a low-maintenance pet, but an animal with specific requirements for heat, light, space and food, that can also stay with you for decades. Research the species thoroughly before you get one, check its legal status, and make sure the enclosure, lighting and food are ready before the animal arrives. That way, you give your tortoise or turtle a healthy, suitable home for life.
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