7 SMALLEST Turtle Species: Guaranteed To Stay Adorable Forever

Although they may be petite, small turtles still have big needs — are they the right choice for your next pet?

There are many benefits to small turtle species:

• You may need less space (though not necessarily)
• You may not have to feed them as much
• And you can potentially keep more of them in a single turtle tank

Smaller turtles can be easier to house than larger species, but ‘small’ does not always mean low-maintenance.

Turtles That Stay Small

When people set up a turtle habitat for the first time, we repeatedly hear the same concern: Will the turtle outgrow their enclosure quickly?

To make matters worse, some unethical turtle dealers claim that any species will adapt to the size of the enclosure. But nothing could be further from the truth.

Healthy turtles will always grow to full size if provided with proper care, even if the tank or enclosure is too small. Nevertheless, some species do stay small. These are the smallest turtles that will stay small throughout their lives.

Important: Some small native turtle species are protected, threatened, or commonly poached from the wild. Always check your local laws and only consider captive-bred turtles from reputable sources.

1. Mud Turtles

Known for their characteristic yellow heads and eyes, Mud turtles will undoubtedly win your heart at first glance. They generally grow to around 3-4 inches, but some might grow for an additional inch.

Despite being cute, Mud turtles might not always be docile. They can use their curved beaks to bite your fingers if they feel stressed or provoked. Although they are named after mud, this species doesn’t spend much time on land. Therefore, you must use a tank with a capacity of at least 40 or 50 gallons.

2. Musk Turtles

Musk turtles are probably the first species that most of us have ever owned. In addition to their small size (3-4 inches), they’re valued for their relative ease of care.

They come with distinctive black, highly-domed shells. Their heads are also black, but you might see a clear yellow stripe starting from the nose and running all over the neck. After they exceed 20-30 years of age, these peculiar characters will probably fade away.

Fun fact: Musk turtles are named to reference the foul odor they release when a predator approaches. That’s why they’re also known as Stinkpots!

3. Wood Turtle

The wood turtle is another small species that is found in many states in the north-central and eastern United States. It’s one of the many turtles found in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Indiana, and has a max size of 6 – 10 inches in length.

They have interesting hibernation patterns, but essentially they migrate to and overwinter in or near the river. Then they emerge in the spring.

Wood turtles are fascinating and intelligent, but they are not an ideal beginner species and should never be wild-caught. They will also live 50+ years in captivity, so they should be received with that commitment in mind.

4. Spotted Turtles

Moving up the size ladder, Spotted turtles are usually capped at 5-6 inches.

As their name implies, their dark-blue shells sparkle with lots of yellowish spots, much like the Starry Night, Van Gogh’s masterpiece. This yellowish pattern also extends into their heads, legs, and necks; but it varies considerably between individual turtles.

In terms of care, the Spotted turtles aren’t that hard, but they’re not beginner-friendly either. Unlike the previous two species, these prefer shallow water where they can reach out for the surface while resting their feet on the ground.

5. Box Turtles

Of all the turtles on this list, box turtles are probably the most eye-catching. They usually grow to around 6 to 7 inches long, and their domed shells often feature beautiful yellow, orange, or gold patterns that make each one look a little different.

They can also be one of the more challenging species to keep. Unlike more aquatic turtles, box turtles need a carefully balanced setup with plenty of dry land, consistent humidity, warm temperatures, and shallow fresh water for soaking, so they tend to do best with owners who are ready for a bit more involved care.

6. Bog Turtle

Bog turtles are among the smallest varieties of turtles out there. In fact, it could be the smallest turtle in the world. In total, they grow up to 4 – 5 inches long, which is even smaller than some of the species above.

In the wild, they live in bogs (hence the name). They like really open, wet environments with mud and dry ground. They do need dry land or other basking platforms, as they are only semi-aquatic. When they hibernate, they will do so beneath the ground.

Bog turtles are also a threatened species due to habitat destruction and housing developments. Also, because people like to capture them to keep as pets, they’re not doing as well in the wild. This species is being monitored by various conservation groups to track its overall health and well-being.

7. Mississippi Map Turtle

If you want a turtle that stays fairly small but still has a really striking look, the Mississippi map turtle is a great pick. Male Mississippi map turtles usually only grow to around 3.5 to 5 inches, and their shells often have interesting ridges and map-like markings that make them stand out.

They’re active, curious turtles that spend a lot of time swimming and basking, so they can be very fun to watch. That said, they do best in a clean aquatic setup with plenty of space, which makes them a better choice for owners who are ready to stay on top of tank maintenance.

Small Turtle FAQs

Are there any turtles that stay small?

Yes, some of the turtle species we’ve mentioned will stay small all of their lives. This includes Eastern Mud and Striped Mud turtles, Musk turtles, and bog turtles. Also, males of most turtle species tend not to grow as large as females.

What is the smallest turtle as an adult?

Bog turtles are among the smallest turtles when fully grown. They will reach a full adult size of 5-inches long, much smaller than other turtle species.

Are there dwarf turtles?

All of these turtle species can be considered dwarf turtles. Mud and Bog turtles are very small and will not grow out of an appropriate turtle tank.

What tortoise stays small forever?

The Egyptian Tortoise, which has an adult size of 3 – 5 inches, is among the smallest tortoises. They are not available worldwide, so it will depend on what your local exotic pet store has to offer.

Small tortoises are attractive because they can be kept in smaller tortoise enclosures, rather than requiring a large outdoor habitat.