Central American Wood Turtle - 2-3 inches (Rhinoclemmys pulcherimma manni)

RESTRICTED STATES: OR, WA, HI

Great turtle for a first time owner. 

Size: Generally reaches 4-6 inches.

Hatchlings: My preference is to raise hatchlings in a 2x3 container kept outdoors if you live in a tropical place, half shade half sun, with about 1-2 inches of fresh clean water. This should also include 2 or 3 bricks to allow the turtle to rest. 

Enclosure: This is a semi-terrestrial turtle breed, which means they live in half water half land. A indoor or outdoor substrate consists of cypress mulch, peat moss, top soil, and some gravel if you would like. An outdoor enclosure is suggested to be at least 12 inches tall and 6x6 feet. Also a paint tray or cat litter pan filled with fresh water is an easy option to provide your turtle with a water source. ***Bigger is always better***

Diet: Wood turtles are omnivores and will eat just about anything. We feed ours a variety of greens and various kinds of fruits, a favorite of theirs is bananas. They also love crickets, roaches, night crawlers, and pinky mice. We also feed Mazuri Aquatic Turtle diet to make sure they receive all the nutrients needed. Make sure that food is available everyday and that you alternate the kinds of food given daily. Also dust all food with a quality calcium and multivitamin supplement twice a week.

Handling: Wood turtles are one of the smartest turtles in the world. Once established at your home, they will reveal themselves when it feeding time by running across the enclosure, that's one of the most rewarding feelings as a turtle owner.