Though the question, “Where do turtles live?” may seem simple, the answer is quite broad. Turtles live just about everywhere. Depending upon their species, turtles can be found living in a number of habitats.

Where You will Find Sea Turtles

As the name implies, you will find sea turtles living in most of the oceans of the world. The only place you won’t find them is Antarctica. Most sea turtles enjoy the warm, balmy waters of the tropics, but the leatherback sea turtle will roam in colder waters in search of food. All of the sea turtles head for land when it is time to lay their eggs. They will dig a hole in the sand where they deposit their eggs and immediately after covering them up, head back out to sea.

Not much is known about sea turtle habits, but researchers are learning more everyday about these wild creatures that are in so much danger of extinction.

Aquatic Turtle Habitat

Aquatic and semi-aquatic turtles can be found in a wide variety of habitats. Some live in ponds, streams, marshes or swamps. They eat a variety of foods such as fish, plants, mollusks and insects. Some turtles, like the mud turtles, like to burrow in the mud at the bottom of the water source. They can be found in all manner of clean, clear water. They are happiest in a habitat that is chockfull of vegetation and small vertebrates for them to feast upon. You will often see an aquatic turtle at a local lake or pond basking contentedly in the sun on a comfortable rock.

If you intend to purchase an aquatic or semi-aquatic turtle as a pet, you need to do plenty of research so that you may recreate a habitat that will keep your turtle healthy and happy

Land Turtle Habitat

Land turtles can be found in a variety of habitats. Some prefer desert conditions, while others prefer cool mountainous regions. Others will live in pastures and woodlands while others prefer hot and humid habitats. Many land turtles can boast excellent climbing skills and almost all of them love to bask in the sun. Turtles that prefer solid ground to water habitats can be found wherever their food supply takes them.

Keeping a Turtle as a Pet

Many children’s first pet is a turtle. They are fairly inexpensive to keep and live a long life when cared for properly. Providing the right type of habitat for your turtle is one of the most important aspects of successful turtle care. Doing the proper research on the type of turtle you have will afford you much information about the correct diet and living conditions to optimize their captive life. If you are unsure about the right turtle for your household, keep in mind that some turtles live exclusively on land while others will prefer a habitat that allows them to swim freely. Not all turtles spend all of their time beneath the surface, but if they are aquatic or semi-aquatic you will have to ensure they have access to clean, clear water at all times.