Let’s get this out of the way first — there’s no such thing as a penny turtle.
That myth has been doing the rounds for decades, and it’s caused more harm than good. What people once called “penny turtles” were simply baby freshwater turtles — often Eastern Long-necks or Murray River turtles — sold illegally by pet shops and backyard breeders.

They were tiny, cute, and easy to sell. But here’s the truth:
They don’t stay that way.
Those adorable little hatchlings grow into dinner-plate-sized adults that can live for 40 years or more.

If you’re thinking about keeping turtles, this isn’t a short-term hobby. It’s a commitment — one that comes with serious responsibility and a deep respect for one of nature’s oldest creatures.

 Common Pet Turtle Species in Australia

Australia has around 25 native freshwater turtle species, but only a handful are suitable — and legal — to keep as pets. Each has its quirks, preferences, and personality. Here are the most common ones found in captivity (with the right licence, of course):

 Eastern Long-necked Turtle (Chelodina longicollis)

• Neck length: Extremely long (up to two-thirds of shell length).
• Shell size: 25–30 cm in adulthood.
• Lifespan: 30–40 years.
• Nature: Curious, intelligent, and a bit cheeky — but can release a musky odour if startled.
• Habitat: Likes deeper water and plenty of space to stretch that long neck.
• Feeding: Carnivorous tendency — enjoys insects, worms, small fish, and prawns. Still needs greens for balance.
• Don’ts: Don’t handle roughly — their necks are flexible but delicate. Avoid cold water; they prefer warm, stable temps (24–28°C).

💡 Healthy snack: Bloodworms, blackworms, or small mealworms (frozen or live).

 Murray River Turtle (Emydura macquarii macquarii)

• Neck length: Short.
• Shell size: Up to 30–35 cm.
• Lifespan: 35–50 years.
• Nature: Hardy, calm, and great for beginners. Loves to bask and swim.
• Habitat: Wide, deep tanks or ponds with strong filtration — they’re messy eaters.
• Feeding: Omnivorous — a mix of protein (worms, yabbies, snails, raw fish) and leafy greens.
• Don’ts: Don’t feed too much meat — balance it with greens to prevent shell deformities and fatty liver.

💡 Healthy snack: A few chopped dandelion leaves or waterweed from a chemical-free source.

Krefft’s Turtle (Emydura krefftii)

• Neck length: Short to medium.
• Shell size: 25–28 cm.
• Lifespan: 30–40 years.
• Nature: Lively and active swimmers — known to be curious and social.
• Habitat: Native to northern NSW and coastal Queensland — prefer slightly warmer conditions and strong filtration.
• Feeding: Omnivorous — loves aquatic snails, worms, and bits of freshwater fish, plus greens.
• Do’s: Offer variety — live food occasionally keeps them stimulated.
• Don’ts: Don’t keep in shallow water long-term; they need room to dive and explore.

💡 Healthy snack: A small snail or live worm once or twice a week.

Saw-shelled Turtle (Myuchelys latisternum)

• Neck length: Short.
• Shell size: 20–25 cm.
• Lifespan: 25–35 years.
• Nature: Shy but fascinating — has serrated shell edges, giving it a prehistoric look.
• Habitat: Clean, cool water with shaded areas. Excellent climbers and escape artists.
• Feeding: Carnivorous; prefers worms, yabbies, aquatic insects, and occasional greens.
• Don’ts: Don’t overcrowd or keep with larger species — they’re smaller and can be bullied.

💡 Healthy snack: Bits of raw freshwater fish or shrimp (never cooked or salted).

Licences and Permits

You’ll need a Recreational Wildlife Licence (RWL) in Queensland to legally keep turtles.
Each state has its own rules:

• QLD: RWL required — available via the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation.
• NSW: Native Animal Keeper Licence (Companion Animal class).
• VIC: Basic Wildlife Licence.
• SA & WA: Specific species licences required.

⚠️ Never buy or sell turtles without the proper paperwork.
Wild-caught turtles are often stressed, carry parasites, and removing them harms wild populations. Always buy from a licensed breeder — it’s ethical and ensures the turtle is captive-bred, healthy, and legal.

Wild Turtles Aren’t Pets – And Pet Turtles Don’t Belong in the Wild

I get it — turtles can be expensive, and sometimes people think they’re “helping” by taking one from the river or dam. But here’s the truth:
Taking turtles from the wild is illegal, unethical, and often a death sentence.

Wild turtles belong in their ecosystems. They help keep waterways healthy by scavenging and eating decaying matter. When you take one, you’re removing a link in that chain — and the wild doesn’t need rescuing from itself.

Captive-bred turtles are raised very differently. They’re used to stable temperatures, filtered water, and regular feeding. Wild turtles aren’t. Captivity stresses them, weakens their immune systems, and many simply stop eating and die.

And just as important — never release a captive turtle back into the wild.
Pet turtles may carry bacteria, parasites, or genetics that don’t belong in that region. Released pets can spread disease, compete with local species, or hybridise with wild turtles — creating long-term damage you’ll never see but scientists will be cleaning up for decades.

If you can’t care for your turtle anymore, reach out to a licensed wildlife carer, reptile rescue, or the breeder you bought it from. There are always ethical options.

Wildlife doesn’t need rescuing from its own environment — it needs rescuing from people who don’t understand it.

Tank Size and Setup

This is where most owners go wrong. Those baby turtles sold in small plastic tanks with palm trees? Forget it.

As adults, most turtles need 250–300 litres of water — more for larger species.

• Juveniles: Start with at least 150L.
• Adults: 250L+ with strong filtration.

Essentials for every turtle:

• Clean, filtered water — turtles are messy. A canister filter is worth its weight in gold.
• Basking platform — large, stable, and easy to climb.
• UVB lighting — crucial for shell health. Replace every 6–12 months.
• Heat lamp — basking area around 32–35°C. Water between 24–28°C.
• Depth: At least twice the turtle’s shell length — they’re swimmers, not puddle splashers.

Avoid gravel or pebbles — turtles swallow them. Use smooth river stones or leave the base bare.

 Outdoor Ponds and Enclosures

Outdoor ponds can be amazing if done properly — they allow for natural sunlight, space, and stimulation.

But here’s the catch:
Turtles are escape artists and predators love them.

✅ Do:

• Use strong mesh or aviary wire covers to prevent escape and protect from birds or pets.
• Include basking logs, shaded areas, and aquatic plants.
• Keep depth variation (shallow and deep zones).
• Use natural filtration like water lilies and oxygen plants if possible.

❌ Don’t:

• Use chemicals or fertilisers near the pond.
• Leave them unsupervised outside of a secure setup.
• Assume they’ll “just stay put” — they won’t.

Feeding – Natural and Balanced

Forget pellets and processed junk.
A healthy turtle diet should mimic what they’d find in the wild — protein, greens, and variety.

✅ Feed:

• Earthworms, mealworms, yabbies, freshwater fish
• Water lettuce, duckweed, spinach, kale, and dandelion leaves
• Boiled egg or a little lean meat occasionally

❌ Avoid:

• Bread (it’s junk, full stop)
• Dog or cat food as a staple
• Salted meats, dairy, or cooked seafood

💡 Tip: Feed hatchlings daily, adults every 2–3 days. Remove leftovers after 20 minutes.

 Handling and “Playtime”

A turtle is not a toy.
Yes, you can take them out of the tank, but limit dry time to 15–20 minutes. They dehydrate quickly.

✅ Do:

• Handle gently, support their body.
• Wash hands after handling — turtles can carry salmonella.
• Supervise any out-of-tank exploration.

❌ Don’t:

• Leave them on hot floors or in the sun too long.
• Let children handle them unsupervised.
• “Kiss” or cuddle them (you’d be surprised how often people do).

If you want them to explore outside, use a secure playpen with filtered sunlight, shade, and shallow water access.

 Sexing Turtles

You can’t tell hatchling sexes easily, but as they mature:

• Males: longer tails, vent past the shell edge, longer front claws.
• Females: shorter tails, vent closer to the shell, broader shell.

A reptile vet can confirm if you’re unsure.

Depending on the species, turtles can live 25–50 years, sometimes longer with natural care and good diet.
They don’t stay small — most reach 20–35 cm in shell length.

This is a lifetime pet, not a short-term classroom curiosity.

Natural Care & Maintenance

• Water changes: Partial weekly, full every 2–3 weeks.
• No chemicals: Vinegar and warm water clean everything safely.
• Natural enrichment: Logs, aquatic plants, and live insects.
• Lighting: 10–12 hours of UVB daily — essential for calcium absorption.

Majella’s Tip

Don’t buy a turtle unless you’re ready for decades of care. They’re not disposable pets or temporary hobbies. They’re ancient souls that deserve space, clean water, and a natural life — even if that life happens in your backyard pond or tank.

Treat them like the wild wonders they are, not ornaments.

 Final Thoughts

Keeping turtles isn’t about owning a “tiny penny turtle in a bowl.” It’s about creating a world that honours one of Earth’s oldest survivors.

Give them sunlight, space, natural food, and time — and they’ll reward you with calm presence, quiet wisdom, and the reminder that every creature, no matter how small or slow, has a place in our care.

©Majella Gee 2025

 

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Tags

Australian turtle species caring for turtles feeding turtles Fresh water turtles Keeping turtles as pets Reptile care Turtle nutrition Wildlife Licence

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