Turtles are semi-aquatic pets, this means that in the wild they spend time both on land and underwater. Does this mean that you should take your turtle out for walks around the backyard of the house? Let’s find out.
You can take your turtle out of the tank, it’s actually recommended to do so from time to time, as it will provide multiple physical and mental benefits for your turtle.
But while there are quite a few benefits to taking your turtle out of the tank, there are also quite a few things that you have to be careful about. But before we go into more details about the benefits and dangers of taking your turtle out of the tank, let’s start with one of the most important questions. How long can turtles stay out of the tank?
How Long Can Turtles Stay Out of the Tank
On average a turtle can stay out of the tank for an entire week, without any consequences. So you can keep your turtle out of the tank for as much time as you’d like.
But if you want to take your turtle outside of the house, you should know that weather can drastically influence how long you can keep your turtle out.
If for example, there are 90°F (32°C) you can let them stay out for as long as you want, but if it is 104°F (40°C), I would advise you to keep the trip outside for around 15 to 20 minutes. At that temperature, your turtle definitely won’t enjoy the trip if it’s too long, and it could get dangerous.
If you’d like to know more about how long can turtles stay outside of their tank, and how different factors, like humidity, temperature and age come into play, you can check out my article: How Long Can a Turtle Go Without Water?
Things to Watch Out for When Your Turtle It’s Out of the Tank
While turtles can stay for quite a while outside of the tank, you still can’t leave them unsupervised, as there are quite a few dangerous things outside of the tank.
The first and biggest problem is that turtles, by their nature, will try to eat everything that they can, and this includes a lot of plants that can be poisonous to them.
Here is a table with the most common plants, and flowers that you should watch for.
| Common Name | Botanical Name | Toxicity |
| Amaryllis | Amaryllis belladonna | 2 |
| Asparagus Fern | Asparagus sprengeri | 2, 3 |
| Arrowhead Vine | Syngonium podophyllum | 1 |
| Avocado (leaves, seeds) | Persea americana | 2 |
| Azalea | Rhododendron species | 2 |
| Begonia | Begonia | 1 |
| Bird of Paradise | Poinciana gilliesii | 2 |
| Boston Ivy | Parthenocissus tricuspidata | 1 |
| Boxwood | Buxus sempervirens | 2, 3 |
| Buttercup family | Ranunculus species | 2, 3 |
| Caladium | Caladium species | 2, 3 |
| Calla Lily | Zantedeschia species | 1 |
| Candytuft | Iberis species | 3 |
| Carolina Jessamine | Gelsemium sempervirens | 2 |
| Castor Bean | Ricinus communis | 2 |
| Chinese Evergreen | Aglaonema modestum | 1 |
| Chinaberry | Melia azedarach | 2 |
| Columbine | Aquilegia species | 2 |
| Creeping Charlie | Glechoma hederacea | 2 |
| Crowfoot | Ranunculus sceleratus | 2, 3 |
| Cyclamen | Cyclamen persicum | 2 |
| Daffodil | Narcissus species | 2 |
| Delphinium, Larkspur | Delphinium species | 2 |
| Dianthus, Carnation | Dianthus species | 2 |
| Dumb cane | Dieffenbachia amoena | 1 |
| Elephant’s Ear | Philodendron hastatum | 1, 3 |
| Euphorbia | Euphorbia species | 2, 4 |
| Ficus | Ficus species | 3 |
| Firethorn | Pyracantha coccinea | 1, 3 |
| Foxglove | Digitalis purpurea | 2 |
| Gardenia | Gardenia | 4 |
| Grape Ivy | Cissus rhombifolia | 4 |
| Heavenly Bamboo | Nandina domestica | 2 |
| Holly | Ilex species | 2 |
| Hyacinth | Hyacinthus orientalis | 2 |
| Hydrangea | Hydrangea species | 2 |
| Iris | Iris species | 2, 3 |
| Ivy | Hedera helix | 2, 3 |
| Jerusalem Cherry | Solanum pseudocapsicum | 2 |
| Juniper | Juniperus species | 2 |
| Lantana | Lantana camara | 2, 3 |
| Lily of the Nile | Agapanthus africanus | 2, 3 |
| Lily of the Valley | Convallaria species | 2, 3 |
| Lobelia | Lobelia | 2 |
| Lupine | Lupinus species | 2, 3 |
| Marsh Marigold, Cowslip | Caltha palustris | 4 |
| Nightshade family | Solanum species | 2 |
| Oleander | Nerium oleander | 2 |
| Periwinkle | Vinca species | 2 |
| Philodendron | Philodendron species | 2 |
| Poinsettia | Euphorbia pulcherrima | 4 |
| Pothos | Epipremnum aureum | 1, 3 |
| Primrose | Primula species | 3 |
| Rosary Bean | Abrus precatorius | 2 |
| Shasta Daisy | Chrysanthemum maximum | 2, 3 |
| Spider Mum | Chrysanthemum morifolium | 2, 3, 4 |
| Split Leaf Philodendron | Monstera deliciosa | 1 |
| String of Pearls | Senecio rowleyanus, S. herrieanus | 2 |
| Sweet Pea (seeds) | Lathyrus odoratus | 4 |
| Tomato (leaves, vines) | Solanum lycopersicum | 2 |
| Umbrella Tree | Schefflera actinophylla | 1, 3 |
I also included the toxicity level, here is a quick explanation of each:
- Oxalates – These plants contain irritating substances known as oxalate salts. Contact with the sap may cause burning, swelling and pain.
- Toxic or Potentially Toxic – These plants can be toxic and should be considered with caution. May contain a wide variety of substances which cause ill effects to various organs. Toxicity can range from mild irritation to severe organ damage, depending on the plant.
- Dermatitis – Contact with sap may produce a skin rash, itching, or irritation.
- Unknown Risk – Information is incomplete, but some data indicates that these plants may cause ill effects.
But regardless of the toxicity level, if you notice anything wrong with your turtle, or you think that it interacted with one of those plants, the best thing that you can do is go to the vet. As always, when it comes to health, I consider that the only appropriate response is to go to a vet. What you find online can be useful as information, but I won’t recommend you to follow a treatment found online.
The next big risk is cables. While not all turtles will run to the first cable that they see and start chewing it, it can happen, so make sure that you keep your turtle away from cables.
And of course, there is always the risk of your turtle getting lost. While they are not the fastest animals, they can run and, if you leave them unsupervised for one minute they can easily go under a dressing or kitchen island.
Why You Should Let Your Turtle Out of the Tank
Now that we are done with the bad parts, I think it’s important to also discuss why you should let your turtle out of the tank from time to time, as this has quite a few benefits.
One of the main benefits is that this way turtles can get natural sunlight. While the basking area is a substitute for the sun, nothing beats the real deal. Overall, compared to a basking area, the sun provides better UVB rays, which are extremely important for the health of your turtle.
Another benefit is that your turtle gets to walk around. In the tank, they can swim, and they can even walk a little in the basking area, but overall they don’t have too much space to run around. This is also a great way for your turtle to do some extra exercises.
Taking your turtle out of the tank is also a great way to counteract boredom. Turtles can actually get bored quite easily if they have nothing to do, or if absolutely nothing new happens in a while. So taking your turtle out of the tank is a great way to solve this problem.
And in the end, I would like to mention that taking your turtle out of the tank is a great way to bond with your turtle.
If you’d like to know other things that you can do to make your turtle-like you, or how to avoid boredom, or if turtles can get sad, you can check out this great article: Do Turtles Have Feelings? (+ How to Make Them Like You).
Final Thoughts
So you can take your turtle out of the tank, it’s actually recommended to do so, as it has many benefits. But be sure to keep an eye for poisonous plants, and make sure not to leave your turtle unsupervised.
And one final thing that I want to mention is that not all turtles are the same. Some might like to roam freely outside of the tank, some might not like it. So try and see how your turtle reacts to being outside.
The first few times it’s possible that your turtle might be scared and won’t want to explore too much, if this happens the second and the third time as well, then I would have to say that your turtle might prefer to be in the tank, more than being outside.
I hope this article answered all of your questions about taking your turtle out of the tank. If you have any other questions, or if you would like to know more you can always leave a comment in the section below and I will answer you as soon as possible.
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Hello,
My daughter has had an aquatic turtle (yellow belly) i think for about 4 years and she’s getting bigger so I’m concerned that her tank isn’t big enough and she needs bigger space, do you perhaps know any place that’s good who rescues aquatic turtles?
Thank you,
Paulina
It’s great that you’re considering the well-being of your daughter’s turtle and looking into options for its care. To find a suitable place for a rescue or rehoming, here are some steps you can take:
Local Animal Shelters or Rescues: Start by contacting local animal shelters or reptile rescues in your area. Many animal shelters and dedicated reptile rescues may be willing to take in turtles.
Herpetological Societies: You can get in touch with local herpetological societies or reptile enthusiast groups. They may have knowledge of rescue organizations or individuals who can provide a suitable home for the turtle.
Online Reptile Communities: Online forums and social media groups for reptile enthusiasts often have sections where you can post about the need to rehome a turtle. Be sure to ask for references and thoroughly vet any potential adopters to ensure they can provide proper care.
Wildlife Rehabilitation Centers: In some cases, wildlife rehabilitation centers may take in aquatic turtles, especially if they’re native species. These centers can provide proper care and sometimes release them back into the wild if they are native.
Local Veterinarians: Your local veterinarian may also have connections or advice on where to rehome the turtle.
Please ensure that the new owner or organization can provide adequate care and a suitable habitat for the turtle, and consider asking questions about their experience with aquatic turtles. It’s important to provide all necessary care information and supplies when transferring ownership.
Remember that it’s crucial to ensure the turtle is going to a safe and responsible home or organization that can provide proper care and the space it needs to thrive.
Thanks for all the help but I have a question I have a urge to show that I have soaked and bleach and scrub with a toothbrush without soap and stolen hot water my question is I have washed off the Ursa shell real good with hot water I have wiped it clean then soaked it overnight and clean water can I put it back in her tank with her I know she misses it
It’s important to clean your turtle’s tank accessories and decor regularly to maintain a healthy environment for your pet. However, when it comes to a turtle’s shell, there are a few considerations to keep in mind:
Natural Oils: Turtles have a layer of natural oils on their shells, and overly frequent or harsh cleaning can strip these oils, potentially causing dryness or cracking. This can be harmful to your turtle.
Water Quality: Ensuring the water quality in the tank is optimal is more critical for your turtle’s health. Regular water changes, a good filtration system, and maintaining appropriate temperature and lighting are essential.
Health: If you’re concerned about the turtle’s shell health, it’s a good idea to consult a veterinarian experienced with reptiles. They can examine your turtle and offer specific guidance based on its health and condition.
Shell Safety: If you wish to place the shell back into the tank, ensure that it’s clean and free from any harsh cleaning residues. You can rinse it thoroughly to remove any bleach or soap remnants.
In summary, cleaning your turtle’s tank accessories is important, but when it comes to your turtle’s shell, it’s best to prioritize water quality and overall health. If you have concerns about your turtle’s shell health or cleanliness, consult with a reptile veterinarian for specific advice and recommendation