Shop terrestrial turtles for sale from breeders and keepers, including box turtles and other land-dwelling species. These long-lived omnivores suit keepers who enjoy building a naturalistic, planted habitat.
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Terrestrial turtles are the land-dwelling members of the turtle family, spending their days foraging through leaf litter and grass rather than swimming. They are not tortoises, though, and most still need humidity and access to shallow water. With lifespans measured in decades, they reward keepers who enjoy building a thoughtful, naturalistic habitat.
The term covers turtles that live primarily on land but belong outside the true tortoise family. On ReptileAds this group is split into two subcategories. Box Turtles holds the North American Terrapene species, including eastern, three-toed, ornate and Gulf Coast box turtles. Other Terrestrial Turtles covers everything else, such as wood turtles and some Asian species like leaf turtles and Asian box turtles.
These turtles occur on every continent except Antarctica, with the greatest variety in the Americas, Asia and Africa. Many are semi-terrestrial, spending time near streams and wetlands as well as on land.
Most terrestrial turtles have a shell length of about 4 to 12 inches, with box turtles at the smaller end of that range. Growth is slow, and hatchlings take years to reach adult size.
Lifespans of 20 to 50 years are common, depending on species, and some individuals live longer still. A terrestrial turtle can easily outlive the plans you make when you bring it home, so think about long-term care from the start.
Floor space matters more than height. A large indoor enclosure or a secure outdoor pen in a suitable climate gives a turtle room to roam. Deep substrate that holds moisture, leaf litter and hides let it burrow and regulate humidity, while a shallow water dish provides soaking and drinking water.
Indoors, a warm basking area and UVB lighting are standard. Most species are omnivores, so the diet usually combines insects, earthworms and snails with leafy greens, vegetables and some fruit. Many keepers track weight, feeding and shell growth over the years, and Husbandry.Pro is a useful place to log those records. Details vary by species, so consult the ReptileAds turtle care guide.
Rules differ widely. Many native turtles are protected, and some species can only be kept or sold with permits, while collecting from the wild is often restricted. Regulations can also cover the size or age at which turtles may be sold.
Because the rules depend on both the species and your location, check with your local and state wildlife authorities before buying, and ask the seller what paperwork accompanies the turtle.
Decide first which species fits your climate, space and time. Box turtles are the most familiar choice, while wood turtles and Asian species each have their own habitat needs. Look for captive-bred animals where possible and ask the seller for records, diet details and how the turtle is currently kept.
Browse the Box Turtles and Other Terrestrial Turtles subcategories, chat with sellers through ReptileAds and review their profiles. A Hit List alert helps you catch a specific species when it is listed.
AI-assisted guide reviewed by the ReptileAds team. General information about these animals — not care, veterinary or legal advice, and not a description of any individual listing above.
This section of ReptileAds covers terrestrial turtles, the land-dwelling turtles that spend most of their time on the ground rather than in open water. It is split into two subcategories: Box Turtles, and Other Terrestrial Turtles for species such as wood turtles and Asian leaf turtles.
Listings come from breeders and keepers, and each shows photos, age and details supplied by the seller. Turtles live for decades and many species are regulated, so use built-in chat to ask about origin, diet, captive-breeding and any paperwork, and check the rules where you live before you buy.
Review seller profiles and reviews, and set a Hit List alert to hear when a terrestrial turtle matching your search is listed.
ReptileAds brings together keepers and breeders of land-dwelling turtles in one marketplace.
Jump straight to Box Turtles or Other Terrestrial Turtles to narrow your search.
Chat with sellers about captive-breeding, diet and any documents that come with the turtle.
Set a Hit List alert and get notified when a matching turtle is posted.
Land turtles need space, warmth and a varied diet. In general terms, a good setup offers:
Species needs differ, so read the ReptileAds turtle care guide for your chosen species.
Before buying a land turtle, think through these points: