Turtles and tortoises are popular pets, but are actually quite demanding as pets. To find out how to properly care for your pet turtle or tortoise and ensure a long and healthy life, investing in a good selection of books from the following list is well worth the cost. This is especially true for beginning turtle owners, who should read some of these books before deciding on a turtle as a pet.
1. Turtles and Tortoises for Dummies
This is a good choice primarily for beginners and those in interested in learning about the characteristics of and requirements for caring for a variety of species. As with others in the Dummies series it is easy to read and offers lots of practical tips and information, and has lots of general turtle care information. By Liz Palika.
2. The General Care & Maintenance of Red Eared Sliders
Books 2 through 4 on this list are all excellent books by Philippe de Vosjoli, but each on a specific group of turtles. This one is a must have book for the red eared slider owner. A short easy read, it still manages to cover the proper care of red eared sliders in detail, with advice on tank set up, filtration, plants and more. It also touches on other aquatic turtles.3. The Box Turtle Manual
By Philippe de Vosjoli, this is considered to be one of the best books available specifically about the care of box turtles. Along with the good advice on proper housing and feeding of box turtles by de Vosjoli, veterinarian Roger Klingenberg provides a helpful section on disease and disorders commonly seen in this species.4. The General Care & Maintenance of Popular Tortoises
By Philippe de Vosjoli, a good guide to the requirements of a variety of species of tortoise. Compact guide that still covers selection, care, housing and feeding along with sections on health, hygiene and more. Good choice for beginning tortoise owners.5. Encyclopedia of Keeping and Breeding Tortoises and Turtles
This book is expensive and harder to find, but is the most thorough book you will find on caring for turtles and tortoises. By Andy Highfield, founder of the Tortoise Trust, this book has excellent information and detail on caring for turtles along with natural history, photos, medical information and much more. A great resource for everyone, even the experienced turtle keeper.6. Turtles and Tortoises
This book is the latest in a series of books about turtles authored by Hartmut Wilke, but aimed at families and children. Still, as with others by this author, it contains a good deal of general turtle care information presented in an easy to read format. Topics covered include where to get a turtle, housing, feeding and breeding. A good beginner book.7. Turtles and Tortoises
By Richard Bartlett et al, this is another good basic introduction ot the world of turtles and tortoises. Like others in the Barron's educational series it makes good use of photos and illustrations, and covers the basics of care as well as other topics such as understanding behavior. Inexpensive and good addition to the beginner's library.8. The Guide to Owning a Red-Eared Slider
By Jordan Patterson, this is a slightly older book but still a useful book ofr owners of the common red eared slider. Nice photos and good basic care information.