Turtle Species Are Diverse, and Common Varieties Each Have Their Own Characteristics

In the broad sense, the term "turtle" is often used to refer generally to chelonians, which can be roughly divided by habitat into aquatic turtles, semi-aquatic turtles, and tortoises, with an additional group adapted to life in the ocean, the sea turtles. Different groups differ noticeably in appearance, habits, and keeping methods, so understanding the classification is the first step to getting to know turtles.

Common freshwater turtles include the Chinese pond turtle, the Chinese stripe-necked turtle, and the yellow-margined box turtle, among others; they mostly inhabit rivers, ponds, and lakes, and are gentle in temperament and fairly adaptable. The red-eared slider is native to the Americas and is widely kept because of its bright colors, but it is an introduced species and should not be released into natural waters. A representative semi-aquatic turtle is the yellow-margined box turtle, which can move about in shallow water and also often comes onto land to forage.

Tortoises such as the Burmese mountain tortoise and the Central Asian tortoise have thick, columnar limbs and high, rounded carapaces; they live mainly on land and mostly feed on plants, and some species are protected animals, so relevant regulations should be understood before keeping them. Sea turtles, by contrast, live in the ocean their whole lives, with front limbs evolved into flippers, and they are generally not kept as pets.

When keeping turtles, a suitable environment should be provided according to the species: aquatic turtles need clean water and a place to bask, while tortoises need dry, well-ventilated land and ample light. When feeding, pay attention to a balance of meat and plant matter, control the amount of food, and keep the temperature stable. When choosing one, observe whether the shell is intact, whether the eyes are bright, and whether the limbs move vigorously; healthy individuals are easier to keep alive. In daily care, also watch for common problems such as shell rot and white eye, adjust water quality and temperature promptly when abnormalities are found, and seek help from professionals if necessary.