Do Pet Turtles Enjoy Playing With Toys? (2024)

Pet turtles can get bored and need entertainment to stay happy and healthy. They enjoy playing with toys such as floating feeders, rafts, shells, and balls. They also like to play with live inhabitants in their tank such as shrimp, snails, and insects. Playing with toys helps to keep turtles physically active and provides mental stimulation.

Turtle-friendly toys

Toys are a great way to keep your pet turtle entertained and enriched. While there are not many turtle-specific toys available in pet stores, there are plenty of everyday items that can be used as stimulating playthings for your pet.

Shells

Empty shells are a great natural toy for turtles. They will enjoy chasing, flipping, and investigating these objects.

Rafts and floating objects

Your turtle will love being able to sink or push around a small raft or other floating objects in their tank.

Brightly coloured kids' toys

Any small, brightly coloured toy suitable for children can be used for turtles, provided there are no parts that can be easily removed. Your turtle will enjoy pushing these around their tank.

Rocks, sticks, and plants

Turtles are naturally curious, so adding any objects to their tank will give them something new to investigate and play with. Live or plastic plants, rocks, and caves can give your turtle a place to hide and feel safe, as well as something to play with and explore.

Food-based toys

There are several food-based toys available for turtles, such as treat balls, which can also be used for dogs or cats. You can also try burying treats in the gravel/sand of your turtle's tank for them to dig up and eat.

Marbles

Oversized marbles are a great, affordable option for larger turtles. They provide hours of entertainment and are easy to clean.

Bubbling airstone

A bubbling airstone adds excitement to your turtle's tank and provides your pet with hours of entertainment.

Feeder fish

Goldfish can be a fun addition to your turtle's tank, and your turtle may even "adopt" one or two of them as pets!

Plastic Easter eggs

Your turtle will enjoy chasing these around the tank and trying to eat them.

Small wind-up bath toys

While your turtle might not be amused, it can be fun for you to watch them ignore a small wind-up swimmy turtle bath toy!

Interactive games

Shell Games

Turtles love playing with empty shells. You can get creative and make a game out of it by placing treats inside the shells or creating an obstacle course with the shells for your turtle to navigate through.

Raft and Floating Toys

Adding small rafts or other floating objects to your turtle's tank can provide hours of entertainment. They will enjoy pushing the raft around and even trying to sink it. You can also get creative and make your own floating toys, such as a floating turtle feeder that dispenses food as your turtle plays with it.

Maze and Puzzle Games

Building a simple maze or obstacle course in your turtle's habitat can be a fun way to keep them mentally stimulated and physically active. You can use everyday items like plants, sticks, stones, and pits to create the maze. Place treats at the end of the maze or hide them throughout to encourage your turtle to explore and navigate the course.

Hide-and-Seek with Treats

"Find the Treat" is a fun and interactive game for your turtle. Hide their favorite treats inside their habitat, and let them search for them. This game not only provides mental stimulation but also satisfies their natural foraging instincts.

Digging and Foraging

Turtles love to dig and forage, so providing them with a textured gravel substrate can be very entertaining. You can bury treats or their favorite snacks in the gravel for them to discover. Additionally, adding live inhabitants to their tank, such as shrimp, snails, or feeder fish, can spice up their environment and provide them with something to chase and hunt.

Interactive Toys

There are various interactive toys available that can keep your turtle engaged. For example, glowing bath toys that light up and float on the water, or puzzle balls that can be stuffed with treats, encouraging your turtle to work for their food.

Turtle Races

Organizing a turtle race can be a fun and social activity for both you and your turtle. Invite a friend with a turtle, create a simple race course, and place treats at the finish line. Watching turtles race is not only amusing but also a great way to socialize your pet with others.

Remember, it's important to provide a variety of interactive games and toys to keep your turtle entertained and prevent boredom. Each turtle has its own unique personality, so observe their reactions and preferences to find the games and toys they enjoy the most!

Live tank-mates

• Fish: Smaller fish such as guppies or tetras can be a good choice, but avoid goldfish, minnows, carp, and some catfish as they can contain an enzyme that interferes with a turtle's metabolism. Feeder goldfish may be adopted by your turtle as a pet, but be aware that they may also be seen as a tasty treat!
• Shrimp: Ghost shrimp are a good option as they are tiny, fast, and have a decent chance of surviving turtle attacks. They also eat freshwater algae, helping to keep your tank clean.
• Insects: Live insects such as crickets or mealworms can be a fun and stimulating snack for your turtle to chase and hunt.
• Tadpoles: Although tadpoles are generally frowned upon due to potential health risks, if sourced from a clean local creek and quarantined for a week, they can be introduced to your turtle's tank as a source of entertainment and food.
• Snails: Snails can make great tank-mates for turtles, providing companionship and a slow-moving target for your turtle to chase.

When adding live tank-mates, ensure there are plenty of hiding spots to give them a better chance of survival. It is also important to research the specific needs and compatibility of the species you choose to ensure a harmonious tank environment.

Remember, while live tank-mates can provide enrichment for your turtle, they should not be the only source of entertainment. A varied environment with toys, obstacles, and interactive feeders is essential to keep your turtle happy and healthy.

Environmental changes

Gravel and Sand

Provide an area in their tank for your turtle to dig. Gravel and sand can keep your turtle entertained, and you can even bury treats for them to dig up. Turtles love digging, so this is a great way to keep them engaged and provide enrichment to their environment.

Plants

Live or plastic plants give your turtle a place to hide and feel safe. They can be easily rearranged to create a quick change in their environment, which is sure to be noticed by curious turtles. Plants also provide mental stimulation and environmental enrichment for your pet.

Rocks or Caves

Like plants, rocks and caves provide hiding places for your turtle and can make them feel secure. They are also easy to rearrange, creating a quick habitat upgrade and keeping your turtle's environment interesting.

Decorations

Your turtle can see outside their tank, so changing the decor around it will give them something new to look at. You can put new plants outside their tank or hang a poster on the wall behind it. Just be careful not to overcrowd their environment, as turtles also appreciate a minimalist look in their tanks.

Outside Time

Taking your turtle outside for some time in the grass and sun can be beneficial, but it should be done in warm weather, and you must keep a close eye on them to prevent escape.

Tank Mates

Consider adding a tank mate to your turtle's environment. Generally, a fellow turtle or any fish smaller than your turtle will make a good companion. However, always do your research before introducing a new animal, as some may be incompatible with your pet.

Live Prey

Adding live prey such as feeder fish, shrimp, insects, or tadpoles to your turtle's tank can keep them mentally and physically active. These can also serve as snacks for your turtle. However, be cautious, as your turtle may view any moving object as a potential snack.

Floating Toys

Floating toys, such as rafts or small floating objects, can be a fun addition to your turtle's tank. They will enjoy pushing them around or sinking them.

Seasonal Changes

Rotate the decorations and ornaments around your turtle's tank with the seasons. Window decals, ornaments, and other decorations can keep your turtle curious and provide a sense of security.

Turtle Race

Organize a turtle race with a friend who also has a turtle. Create a runway using sticks, stones, or other materials, ensuring it is secure and your turtle cannot escape. Place a delicious treat at the end of the runway and let the race begin!

Outdoor adventures

While turtles are typically thought of as slow and lazy, they are actually very personable and interactive once they become accustomed to their surroundings. Taking your turtle outdoors gives them a chance to enjoy fresh air, natural sunlight, and the scent of wild animals. They can also forage for food and take in new sights and experiences.

However, it's important to remember that outdoor adventures are only suitable for turtles that are at least partially terrestrial. Aquatic turtles will require an outdoor pond to enjoy the outdoors.

• A walk outside: Foraging is a natural instinct for turtles, and they often have to travel long distances to find food in the wild. Taking your turtle for a walk in your backyard or garden allows them to roam and explore while getting some sunlight, which is necessary for their growth. Just be sure to keep a constant eye on them to prevent escape.
• Turtle race: Organise a race for your turtle with another turtle. You can create a runway using sticks or stones and place a delicious treat at the finish line. This activity is unpredictable and highly amusing to watch!
• Swimming in a kiddy pool: Turtles enjoy playing in water, so if you have a large kiddy pool, let them swim in it occasionally. They will be excited to explore a larger space than their aquarium.
• Outdoor play area: Create a special outdoor play area for your turtle with a water pool or race track. You can also add obstacles, such as sticks or stones, for them to navigate.

Remember to always keep your turtle's needs in mind when designing fun outdoor activities. Also, be cautious of potential escape attempts and always monitor your turtle closely during outdoor adventures.

Frequently asked questions