Chicken Turtles for Sale

Chicken Turtles for Sale

$149.00

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  • Chicken Turtles for Sale – Rare Long-Necked Aquatic Gems

    If you’re in the reptile world and have never heard of a Chicken Turtle, you’re in for a treat. These quirky, elegant turtles are native to the southeastern United States and have a personality and look that’s all their own.

    The Chicken Turtle (Deirochelys reticularia) gets its name not from its looks, but from a piece of Southern folklore — supposedly, their meat “tastes like chicken” (don’t worry, we’re not eating them here). What really makes them stand out is their long, snake-like neck, striped legs, and webbed feet that are built for fast swimming.

    At Kingsman Exotic Reptiles, we offer Chicken Turtles for sale that are captive-bred, well-started, and already thriving in controlled environments. These turtles are super active, excellent swimmers, and make awesome aquatic display pets for both beginner and experienced keepers.

    📌 What Is a Chicken Turtle?

    A Chicken Turtle is a semi-aquatic turtle known for its long neck — nearly the length of its shell when stretched — and for its beautiful shell pattern that resembles a net or lattice. They’re incredibly agile swimmers and very curious, always zipping around the tank to explore or beg for food.

    There are three subspecies, but most commonly found in the hobby is the Eastern Chicken Turtle (Deirochelys reticularia reticularia). Sometimes you’ll also find the Florida or Western variants.

    🐢 Unique Features:

    • Shell Shape: Oval, smooth, and patterned with reticulated lines

    • Neck: Extra-long and flexible

    • Skin: Bright yellow stripes on neck and limbs

    • Behavior: Alert, active, and responsive

    • Habitat: Native to slow-moving, seasonal wetlands in the Southeastern U.S.

    📊 Chicken Turtle Care Info at a Glance

    Feature Details
    Scientific Name Deirochelys reticularia
    Common Name Chicken Turtle
    Adult Size 6–10 inches
    Lifespan 15–25 years (sometimes longer)
    Temperament Curious, quick, skittish when startled
    Diet Omnivore (mostly carnivorous)
    Experience Level Beginner to Intermediate

    🐣 Sizes & Availability

    Our Chicken Turtles for sale are typically offered in:

    • Hatchlings: 1.5–2.5 inches

    • Juveniles: 3–5 inches

    • Sub-Adults: 6+ inches when available

    All turtles are captive-bred, healthy, parasite-free, and eating well. No wild-caught animals here — we believe in ethical reptile keeping from hatchling to adulthood.

    🍽️ Diet & Feeding – What Do Chicken Turtles Eat?

    Chicken Turtles are opportunistic feeders with a strong preference for animal protein, especially as juveniles. A solid diet rotation keeps them active, colorful, and growing strong.

    💪 Protein Sources:

    • Earthworms

    • Crickets and roaches

    • Mealworms and waxworms

    • Raw fish (cut into chunks)

    • Commercial turtle pellets

    🌿 Plant Matter (as they age):

    • Duckweed

    • Water lettuce

    • Romaine, dandelion greens

    • Shredded carrots, squash

    Feed hatchlings daily. Juveniles every 1–2 days. Adults every 2–3 days with plant matter included more frequently.

    💡 Pro Tip: A floating feeding platform or a separate feeding container helps keep the water clean and gets them used to handling.

    🏡 Enclosure Setup – Chicken Turtle Habitat Guide

    These turtles are highly aquatic and need space to swim. They’re fast swimmers and need more room than their size might suggest. Think “aquarium racer,” not slowpoke basker.

    🐢 Enclosure Size:

    • Hatchlings: 20–40 gallons

    • Juveniles/Adults: 75–125 gallons minimum

    🧼 Water Conditions:

    • Depth: Minimum 12–18 inches for juveniles

    • Filtration: High-flow filter (canister preferred)

    • Temperature:

      • Water: 74–80°F

      • Basking area: 88–92°F

      • Ambient air: 80–85°F

    • Substrate: Bare-bottom or river rock

    • Plants: Floating aquatic plants (duckweed, hornwort)

    They do bask, so provide a solid basking dock with overhead UVB and heat.

    💡 Behavior & Temperament

    Chicken Turtles are generally shy but curious. They start out a little skittish, but once they feel secure, they’ll often come to the glass or surface to beg for food.

    Behavior Breakdown:

    • ✅ Active swimmers

    • ✅ Will bask if the area is secure

    • ✅ Intelligent and food-motivated

    • ❌ Not for handling or cuddling

    These turtles do best when observed, not touched. They’re the type that builds trust over time if their environment is calm and consistent.

    🚚 Shipping & Health Guarantee

    At Kingsman Exotic Reptiles, our Chicken Turtles for sale are packed with care, shipped overnight, and backed by real keeper experience.

    • ✅ Overnight FedEx Priority Shipping

    • ✅ Live Arrival Guarantee

    • ✅ 7-Day Health Guarantee

    • ✅ Support from real reptile experts

    Weather delays? We watch every route and only ship when it’s safe for the animal. That’s how we keep survival rates sky-high.

    🥇 Why Buy Chicken Turtles from Kingsman?

    When you shop with us, you’re not getting some random farm-bred turtle pulled from a warehouse. You’re getting:

    • 💯 Captive-bred, healthy animals

    • 🔍 Genetics and history you can trust

    • 🤝 One-on-one care support

    • 🛒 Easy checkout and tracked shipping

    • 🧠 Experience-backed husbandry knowledge

    Our goal isn’t just to sell you a turtle — it’s to set you up for success so your turtle thrives for decades.

    🛒 Order Your Chicken Turtle Today

    Whether you’re building out a southeastern aquatic habitat or just want something totally different from your usual sliders and cooters, Chicken Turtles for sale are a slept-on gem of the turtle world.

    👉 Click “Add to Cart” and reserve yours today before they’re gone. These aren’t mass-produced, and availability is always limited.

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