Five Facts You Need to Know Before Buying a ‘Pet’ Turtle

The fictional stars of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles may be able to survive anything that the world throws at them, but real turtles can’t. In nature, many turtle species spend their days gliding through water with ease, diving and resurfacing as they search for plants, insects, or small fish to eat. Others roam on land, investigating every scent and sound while spending their days traversing the terrain, basking in the warmth of the sun, and foraging for food. They miss out on all of this when they are forced to live in human homes. There is no such thing as a “pet” turtle, just an imprisoned one.

5 Reasons to Never Buy a ‘Pet’ Turtle

1. Turtles Live a Long Time (a Really Long Time)

Properly cared for, a turtle can live for 25 years—or even as long as 100. Are you ready for a lifetime commitment and care plans after you pass away?

2. Turtles Need a Lot of Species-Specific Care

Turtles have very specific needs, and properly caring for one can cost thousands of dollars. In captivity, in order for turtles to survive—bare minimum—humans must provide them with:

• Proper, controlled temperatures
• Heat lamps and a place to bask
• Ample room to roam or enough water to swim in (depending on species)
• A large housing area
• Healthy, varied diet (species dependent)
• Annual veterinary visits

3. A ‘Pet’ Turtle Can Make Your Kids Sick

Every year, thousands of people in the U.S. contract salmonella from direct or indirect contact with reptiles and amphibians, and children are especially at risk of a serious illness. Stick to animated turtles—they come with a zero percent chance of infection.

4. Turtles Belong in Their Natural Habitats, Not Suffering in ‘Pet’ Stores

Any turtle sold as a “pet” was either captured in nature or bred from others who were. Many do not survive the journey to the pet store, and those who do often arrive in poor health.

Breeders treat turtles as disposable merchandise, churning them outin cramped, filthy breeding mills similar to those found at puppy mills. Pet stores sell them to anyone willing to pay, often with insufficient care instructions and without caring whether they can provide appropriate living conditions. If someone is profiting from the sale of an animal, you can bet that animal well-being is never their priority.

5. There Aren’t Enough Homes for Abandoned ‘Pet’ Turtles

Because people often purchase turtles and tortoises on impulse without doing the necessary research, they don’t know how long they live, how big they get, or understand the specific care they need.

More than half of turtle and tortoise species are at risk of extinction in nature, but there’s an “oversaturation” of certain species in captivity. For example, rescues are overwhelmed with requests to take in Sulcata tortoises—and struggle to find them homes due to the space a 200-pound tortoise needs.

When shelters are unable to help, some people release turtles into unfamiliar, dangerous environments to fend for themselves. Because of this carelessness, and red-eared sliders’ resilience and ability to adapt to life in a place they don’t belong, they are considered an “invasive species.” Now, red-eared sliders are illegal to possess in many parts of the U.S., and authorities kill the turtles for disrupting the eco-systems in which they were abandoned.

Thankfully, change for turtles is happening! In 2026, PetSmart ended its sales of several live animal species, including turtles and tortoises. This follows multiple PETA undercover investigations—one of which revealed the facility kept up to 50 turtles in a single kiddie pool, and denied them basic necessities like adequate lighting, and a heat source. Banning turtle sales is a huge step towards ending their suffering in the pet trade.

What You Can Do to Help Animals in the Pet Trafficking Trade

While no longer selling turtles, tortoises, and other reptiles is a step in the right direction, please let PetSmart know that you will not set foot in any of its stores until all live animals are no longer part of its inventory. Spread the word by sharing this post with your friends and family members and asking them to speak up today. The animals suffering at the multibillion-dollar company depend on you!