Musk Turtle Care Guide (the best beginner turtle?!)

My musk turtle will be 33 years old this year, her name is Squirt. I have only seen her bask a handful of times, and I have never smelled the 'musk' smell they're known for. She did swallow a large piece of gravel about 30 years ago, so i would not recommend using it. It created an abscess in her neck that healed with antibiotics, but she did have a difficult time passing it. (But she did pass it.) Great video!

Hey! Thanks for this video, later this week I am "rescuing" two turtles that my boyfriend's brother got bored of and has been neglecting. When I saw them for the first time, I felt so bad that I felt obligated to take over, even though I knew nothing about taking care of turtles. Videos like yours help me do a lot of research, so I can make sure I can take better care of them <3

I have a common snapping turtle. Obviously he's a large boy. Recently he turned 2 years old and we had to remove him from his 60 gal. Tank. He now lives in a homemade 250 gal. Pond in our yard. He loves it out there and is in his natural element. Ever since he grew up and moved outside, my heart has been empty seeing his tank empty. I love sliders but they still get too large for comfort in a tank the size we have. I am so thrilled to have learned about Musk Turtles from this video! Being a seasoned turtle owner I think this may be my next venture! Thanks for a very informative video!

I just love musk turtles, they are forever just the most adorable little things. Awesome to see that yours are all doing well and be properly cared for! 💚💚

Thank you! I recently obtained ownership of one of these guys. Hes about 5 years old and his previous owner didnt have the time or motivation to take care of him. His tank hadnt been cleaned in over a year and he wasnt being fed enough. Hopefully he'll have a better time with me :)

I have had a musk turtle for around 8 years now, and There was so many this that i questioned, But alot of Those things im not concerned about anymore. Great video :)

one of my fav videos so far, keep up the good work!!

when my grandma was 9 she had a musk turtle. She’s 65, the turtle had gotten out of its tank and it dried out. The turtle is still buried at her house to this day.

Well done video. I've had a Stinkpot and an Eastern Mud Turtle (both females) that I was given as adults 30 plus years ago and keep together. Recorded life spans exceed 50 years. Feeding pellets, algae wafers, a small bit of Medley Treat snacks (dried shrimp, etc.), dew worms (which they love) and very occasionally small aquarium fish. They also eat a bit of flake fish food. There are a variety of Gourarmis and 2 Corydoras in with them and no nipped fins. However they did eat a school of very small Corydoras in short order. A word of caution. Stinkpots can climb and escape. Mine has got out a few times in other aqu configurations with lots of plants against the back wall on the land area. I later found egg clutches hidden behind a stack of magazines on the floor! Basking has been intermittent to non existant over the years but I do provide a heat lamp/UV basking haul out.

Ive waited for years for this video! Thank you so so much! Ive had my razor back since i was 16 im 21 now! I love my musk turtle so much!

I’m thinking about getting a turtle soon and I’m thinking about getting this one specifically but I’m really nervous about not being able to take care of it properly saw this video really help me out❤

The species I’ll be getting in a few weeks! So precious so PERFECT! 💚🐢

I love my musk turtle. Very interesting to watch and the smaller size makes for cleaner water (I am using a 55 gallon tank with above tank basking area (that I have never seen the musk use, my YES used to; but due to it getting very aggressive she had to be rehomed)). My guy swims and walks alot and really loves perching on top of plants or under them. They even dragged one plant entirely into their 'cave".

Love your videos!!! I've had a musk turtle for 6 years and still, lol. He is awesome! I have him, 1 side neck and 5 painted turtle together, and they love each other. Always snuggle together when they bask. Lol

Subscribed after this awesome video. Keep up the good work.

Just got a pair of Musk Turtles myself! Thanks for the tips!

They are so adorable!!!

Great video, I have wanted a musk turtle so bad. I have really been interested and think they are adorable.

I got a musky during the pandemic. Im so happy to have found your channel recently and have learned so much more about how to care for and clean her tank. Its been an awesome learning experience. And about the gravel, I did start with her on gravel. I was a new turtle owner and didn't know about the risks until I saw her actually swallow a piece of gravel. It freaked me out and I swapped them for river rocks. So yes they will eat gravel. She's fine though and loves digging around in her river rocks.

Very helpful and informative. Thank you!