Mississippi Mud Turtle Care Guide: Habitat, Diet, and Health Tips
Are you thinking about getting a turtle as your pet? I’m so excited to talk to you about turtles today! Turtles are wonderful pets that many people love. There are so many different kinds of turtles in the world. One of my favorite turtles is the Mississippi Mud Turtle! I know you might be wondering…
Are you thinking about getting a turtle as your pet?
I’m so excited to talk to you about turtles today! Turtles are wonderful pets that many people love. There are so many different kinds of turtles in the world. One of my favorite turtles is the Mississippi Mud Turtle!
I know you might be wondering if you can take good care of a Mississippi Mud Turtle. Don’t worry! I’m here to help you. I will tell you everything you need to know about these amazing little turtles.
Today, I want to share with you a complete guide on how to care for Mississippi Mud Turtles. But first, let me tell you all about this special turtle!
Let’s get started!
Basic Info About Mississippi Mud Turtles
Let me show you some important facts about Mississippi Mud Turtles:
| What We’re Looking At | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Kinosternon subrubrum hippocrepis |
| Common Name | Mississippi Mud Turtle, Eastern Mud Turtle |
| How Big Do Males Get? | 3-5 inches |
| How Big Do Females Get? | 3-4 inches |
| Biggest They Can Get | 5 inches |
| How Long They Live | Up to 50 years |
| What They Eat | Everything! (Meat, fruits, vegetables, insects) |
| Where They Live | Eastern Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas |
| How They Act | Semi-aquatic (they like both water and land) |
| How Many Eggs | 2-5 eggs |
| Can You Keep Them in USA? | Yes! But you need a permit if you have more than 5 turtles |
| Are They Safe? | Yes! They are not endangered |
Now that you know all about Mississippi Mud Turtles, let me teach you how to take care of them!
Are Mud Turtles Easy to Take Care Of?
I want to be honest with you. Mississippi Mud Turtles are not too hard to care for, but they need your help!
These turtles eat many different foods. That makes it easier to feed them. But you still need to be very careful about what you give them to eat.
Taking care of a pet is about more than just food. You also need to give them a nice home. You need to make sure they are happy and healthy.
I think Mississippi Mud Turtles are great pets for people who have never had a turtle before. They are not the hardest pets to care for. But you do need to learn about them first!
That’s why I’m here to help you. Let’s learn together!
How to Take Care of a Mississippi Mud Turtle
I’m going to teach you everything about caring for your Mississippi Mud Turtle. Here’s what we’ll talk about:
- What foods are good for your turtle
- What foods are bad for your turtle
- How to feed your turtle the right way
- How to set up a basking area
- Strange behaviors you might see
Let’s start with the most important thing – food!
What Should You Feed Your Mississippi Mud Turtle?
Mississippi Mud Turtles are omnivores. That’s a big word! It means they eat both plants and meat. This is great news for you because you can feed them many different foods!
Your turtle will be happy eating these foods:
Fruits
- Apples
- Strawberries
- Blueberries
- Melons
- Grapes (cut them small!)
Vegetables
- Lettuce
- Kale
- Spinach
- Cucumber
- Green beans
Meat
- Small fish
- Worms
- Crickets
- Shrimp
- Cooked chicken (no bones!)
Pellets
- Turtle pellets from the pet store
I feed my turtles a mix of everything. This keeps them healthy and happy!
What Should NOT Be Fed to Your Mississippi Mud Turtle
Now, this is very important! Some foods are bad for your turtle. I want you to remember this part carefully.
Bad Fruits:
Some fruits have too much acid in them. These fruits will make your turtle sick. Please don’t give your turtle these fruits:
- Bananas
- Coconuts
- Raisins
- Apricots
- Guavas
- Avocados
- Dates
- Oranges
- Lemons
- Peaches
Bad Vegetables:
Some vegetables have too much phosphorus. That’s bad for turtles! Don’t feed your turtle these vegetables:
- Carrots
- Squash
- Asparagus
- Broccoli
- Pumpkin
- Corn
- Beets
- Turnips
About Meat:
You can feed your turtle meat, but be very careful! The meat should not have any fat or bones. I always cook the meat first.
Don’t put any salt, pepper, or spices on the meat. Turtles don’t need that stuff. It can make them sick.
No Processed Foods:
Never give your turtle processed foods like chips, cookies, or candy. These are very bad for turtles!
How to Feed Your Mississippi Mud Turtle
Let me teach you two great ways to feed your turtle!
The 15-Minute Method
This is my favorite way to feed turtles! Here’s how it works:
- Put a lot of food in the tank
- Let your turtle eat for 15 minutes
- Take away any food that’s left
Mississippi Mud Turtles will eat and eat and eat if you let them. They think they might not get food again! So they try to eat everything.
But be careful! This method can make your turtle eat too much. You need to watch them closely.
The Size of the Head Method
This method is also very good! Here’s what you do:
- Look at your turtle’s head (not the neck, just the head)
- Give your turtle the same amount of food as the size of their head
- That’s it!
I think this method is safer. Your turtle won’t eat too much this way.
How Often Should You Feed Your Turtle?
Baby turtles need to eat every day. They are growing fast!
Adult turtles can eat every other day. That means you feed them one day, skip the next day, then feed them again.
Setting Up a Basking Area
Your Mississippi Mud Turtle needs a special place called a basking area. This is super important!
Why Do Turtles Need to Bask?
Basking helps turtles in two ways:
- It warms up their body
- It helps them use the calcium in their food (this makes their shell strong!)
How to Make a Basking Area
I’m going to tell you exactly how to set this up:
- Get a flat platform or dock
- Put it in the tank so it sits above the water
- Make sure your turtle can climb onto it easily
- Put a heat lamp or UVB bulb above it
- The temperature should be 85-95 degrees Fahrenheit
You can decorate the basking area however you want! Some people use rocks. Some people use wood. Just make sure it’s safe for your turtle.
The most important thing is that the platform is steady. You don’t want your turtle to fall!
Strange Behaviors to Watch For
Mississippi Mud Turtles are usually very calm. But sometimes they do strange things. If you see these behaviors, you need to pay attention!
Weird Swimming
Sometimes your turtle might swim in a crazy way. They swim fast and in strange patterns. This is not normal!
Your turtle might do this if:
- They ate something bad
- They are stressed
- They are going to have babies
Digging a Lot
It’s okay if your turtle digs a little bit. But if they dig a lot and seem aggressive, something is happening!
This usually means your female turtle is pregnant. She is looking for a place to lay her eggs. You need to give her a good spot to dig!
Spots on the Shell
If you see weird spots or colors on your turtle’s shell, your turtle might be sick. Take your turtle to the vet right away!
Other signs your turtle is sick:
- Not eating
- Eyes are closed or puffy
- Not moving much
- Floating weird in the water
Can You Keep Mississippi Mud Turtles as Pets?
Yes! You can definitely keep Mississippi Mud Turtles as pets!
These turtles are very popular pets. People all over the world love them. I think they are great pets because they don’t need super complicated care.
But you do need to make sure you can give them what they need. Let me tell you about their tank!
What Does Your Mud Turtle Need in a Tank?
The tank is your turtle’s home. You want to make it comfortable and safe for them!
Tank Size
Your turtle needs a big tank! I recommend at least a 40-gallon tank for one adult turtle. Bigger is always better!
Water Heater
Your turtle needs warm water. The water should be 75-80 degrees Fahrenheit. A water heater will keep the water at the right temperature.
Water Filter
Turtles make a lot of mess! A good filter will keep the water clean. This is very important for your turtle’s health.
I change some of the water every week even with a filter. This keeps everything extra clean.
Heat Lamp
Your turtle needs a heat lamp over the basking area. This keeps them warm when they come out of the water.
UVB Lamp
UVB light is so important! It helps your turtle make vitamin D. Vitamin D helps them use calcium. Without UVB light, your turtle can get sick.
You need to replace UVB bulbs every 6-12 months. They stop making UVB even if they still make light!
Basking Area
I already told you about this! Don’t forget to add a good basking area to your tank.
Decorations
You can add other things to make your tank nice:
- Rocks
- Plants (real or fake)
- Hiding spots
- Sand or gravel on the bottom
Just make sure everything is safe. Don’t use anything with sharp edges!
Other Important Care Tips
Let me share some more tips with you!
Keep the Tank Clean
Clean water is so important! Change some of the water every week. Clean the whole tank once a month.
Check the Temperature Every Day
Use a thermometer to check the water and basking area temperature. This is very important!
Watch Your Turtle
Spend time watching your turtle every day. This helps you notice if something is wrong.
Handle Your Turtle Carefully
Turtles don’t really like being held. But sometimes you need to pick them up. Always be gentle!
Wash your hands before and after touching your turtle. This keeps both of you healthy.
Take Your Turtle to the Vet
Find a vet who knows about turtles. Take your turtle for check-ups. This helps catch problems early!
Frequently Asked Questions
What temperature of water do Mississippi Mud Turtles need?
Your turtle needs water that is 75-80 degrees Fahrenheit. Use a water heater to keep it at the right temperature!
Is a Mississippi Mud Turtle a good pet?
Yes! I think Mississippi Mud Turtles are wonderful pets. They are good for beginners too!
Is it legal to keep a Mississippi Mud Turtle as a pet?
Yes! It is legal in most places. But check your local laws. You might need a permit if you have more than 5 turtles.
How long do Mississippi Mud Turtles live?
These turtles can live for up to 50 years! That’s a long time. Make sure you’re ready for this commitment!
Do Mississippi Mud Turtles bite?
They can bite if they’re scared. But they usually don’t bite if you’re gentle with them.
Can I keep two turtles together?
Yes! But make sure your tank is big enough. Each turtle needs their own space.
What size tank do I need?
I recommend at least a 40-gallon tank for one adult turtle. If you have two turtles, get a bigger tank!
Final Words
I’m so happy I could teach you about Mississippi Mud Turtle care today!
These turtles are amazing pets. They are fun to watch. They can live for a very long time. They will be your friend for many years!
But remember, taking care of a turtle is a big responsibility. You need to feed them right. You need to keep their home clean. You need to make sure they’re healthy and happy.
I hope this guide has helped you. Now you know everything you need to know about Mississippi Mud Turtles!
If you have any questions, please leave them in the comments below. I love talking about turtles and I’m always here to help!
Are you going to get a Mississippi Mud Turtle? I’m excited for you!
