This large, long-lived turtle has found depressingly few champions in the turtle breeding community. Though its beauty is subtle, this fascinating species exhibits both interesting natural history and behavior.

North American box turtles are found in great variety. There is a range of sizes, shell patterns, and habitats from aquatic to arid. This small, alert, and intelligent turtle has a passionate and diverse following of turtle keepers.

Chicken turtles are loved by those who keep them. Their alert yet inquisitive nature, beautiful reticulated shells, and vertically striped rumps are some of their endearing qualities.

Diamondback Terrapins have become one of the most popular species of North American turtles being kept by turtle breeders. They are hardy, inquisitive, and a myriad of geographic varieties and color patterns exist.

Often we are asked to explain basic husbandry for juvenile tortoises, from hatchlings up to 2 - 3 year olds. I'm putting it in writing to make for easy reference for tortoise keepers.

First, try to remember that juvenile tortoises instinctively hide quite a bit while still small. They will come out, bask, eat, and quickly dig their way back into the leaf litter or mulch. They do this so that they will not end up on the menu (in the wild). This tendency does two things: It makes them instinctively shy, even in captivity; and second, it makes for a very humid environment early on in their lives. Even desert species do this.

With these situations in mind, as keepers, we have two things to focus on. First, juvenile tortoises will need a lot more humidity and moisture than adults; and second that it takes a while to teach them that their keepers are not going to eat them.

These goals are easily accomplished.

Leopard Tortoises are beautiful black and yellow tortoises with intricate spotted patterns on their shells.

Map turtles have had a devoted following in the turtle hobby for several years. These North American turtles are secretive and many species are rare in their natural habitats. They are alert baskers and active swimmers. Most species are beautiful with intricate patterns. Sexual dimorphism is extreme in map turtles with females reaching much larger adult sizes than males. Map turtles were recently proposed for CITES protection. This proposal did not proceed, but Map turtles or "Sawbacks" are a good species to consider for a special breeding program.

The Matamata is truly one of the world’s most unusual turtles! This large South American species is a wonder to watch - its interesting lifestyle and bizarre appearance make it perfect for a beautiful display.

Most mud and musk turtles are small, hardy, and inquisitive, making them some of the best turtles to keep indoors. A large aquarium with a pair of musk turtles, good filtration, and plenty of driftwood and aquatic plants makes an ideal turtle display.

Painted turtles are similar in appearance and behavior to the sliders and cooters. Though the Southern Painted Turtles are less cold tolerant, painted turtles make wonderful pets as they are small, hardy, and become quite tame in captivity.

Red-footed Tortoises are among the best pet tortoises. They are colorful, hardy and long-lived. They are not as shy as Yellow-footed Tortoises but not as outgoing as Sulcatas.

Red-eared Sliders, Yellow-bellied Sliders, Red-bellied Turtles, Rio Grande Cooters, and similar basking species

Snapping turtles are aggressive. Their pugnacious attitude, however, makes them great feeders and therefore healthy, resilient captives. They get large! These feisty little beasts are hardy and those hobbyists keeping them are successfully breeding them.

Soft-shelled turtles make great display animals. Though they may bury in the sand, they are quick, alert, and many are graceful swimmers. A big display tank with Spiny, Smooth, or Florida Soft-shelled turtles is hard to beat for entertainment value.

These are surely North America's most exciting turtles. They are personable and alert and beautifully marked with yellow spots and orange adornment. Bog Turtles are protected and under extreme pressure in nature. Western Pond Turtles too are under similar pressures from man’s activities. Wood Turtles have a devoted following in the hobby. Though recently available as wild-collected specimens, Spotted Turtles are now protected throughout their range.

African Spurred Tortoises are large, impressive animals. They are the third largest species on the planet after the giant tortoises from the Galapagos and Aldabras.

This rare Asian turtle is somewhat of a success story for captive breeding. It has been considered extinct in nature for the last few years due to over-exploitation for the Chinese food market. Luckily, quite a few M. annamensis were imported in the late 1990s and were set up in thoughtful breeding programs. Now, it is most certainly extinct in nature, but is established and breeding in captive collections across the United States and abroad.