Description
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Twistneck Turtles for Sale – The Wild Looker with a Unique Defense Game
If you’ve been in the reptile hobby for a minute and think you’ve seen it all — let me introduce you to the Twistneck Turtle, one of the most uniquely built, cryptic-looking turtles on the planet. Known for their highly flexible necks, rugged shell textures, and prehistoric appearance, these turtles are an exotic keeper’s dream.
At Kingsman Exotic Reptiles, our Twistneck Turtles for sale are captive bred, well-started, and ready to ship to experienced turtle keepers or serious collectors. These aren’t your average pet store sliders — they’re rare, weird, and wickedly cool.
🐢 What Is a Twistneck Turtle?
Twistneck Turtles, commonly referring to members of the Platemys or Chelus genus (depending on region and structure), are small-to-medium aquatic turtles native to South America, most notably the Amazon basin. They’re sometimes mistaken for their close cousins like the Mata Mata Turtle, but Twistnecks have their own unique vibe — more compact, more subtle, and just as fascinating.
The name “twistneck” comes from their defensive behavior — when threatened, they twist and wrap their extremely flexible neck sideways under the shell instead of pulling it straight back like typical turtles.
🧬 Key Characteristics:
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Unique sideways neck retraction
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Cryptic shell patterns, dark and mottled
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Flattened, rugged shell design for camouflage
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Insectivorous diet with carnivorous tendencies
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Extremely hardy and adaptable
📋 Quick Species Overview
Attribute Detail Common Name Twistneck Turtle Scientific Name Most commonly Platemys platycephala Native Range South America (Amazon rainforest regions) Size 5–6 inches (adult) Lifespan 20–30+ years Care Level Intermediate Best For Collectors, experienced keepers, bioactive builds
🐣 Available Sizes
We currently offer Twistneck Turtles for sale in the following sizes:
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Juveniles (2.5–4 inches): Strong feeders, already well-adapted to enclosure life
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Sub-Adults (4.5–5.5 inches): Rarely available, great for display or breeding projects
All Twistneck Turtles from Kingsman are 100% captive bred, disease-free, and fully legal to ship in the U.S. We don’t mess with wild-caught stress cases.
🍴 What Do Twistneck Turtles Eat?
These turtles are carnivorous by nature and thrive on high-protein, invertebrate-based diets. In the wild, they munch on worms, aquatic insects, and the occasional fish or amphibian.
Recommended Diet:
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Earthworms, red wigglers, nightcrawlers
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Crickets, dubia roaches, mealworms (gut-loaded)
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Small minnows or feeder guppies (optional)
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Mazuri or Repashy turtle gel foods
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Occasional pinky mouse (only for adults)
💡 Feeding Tip: Feed every other day in a separate tub if you want to keep their main tank clean and clear.
🏡 Twistneck Turtle Habitat Setup
One of the most rewarding aspects of keeping a Twistneck Turtle is building their environment. These turtles do well in naturalistic, bioactive enclosures that mimic their wild rainforest habitat.
Enclosure Setup Breakdown:
Item Details Tank Size 30–40 gal minimum for 1 adult Water Depth 5–8 inches – shallow, calm water preferred Substrate Leaf litter, cypress mulch, or sand mix Basking Area Optional, but provide UVB for overall health Hiding Spots Driftwood, cork flats, aquatic plants Filtration Low-flow sponge or canister filter Water Temp 74–78°F (don’t overheat – they prefer cooler zones) Ambient Humidity 70–90% (very important – mist daily or use fogger) 💡 Pro Tip: These turtles love to burrow under leaf litter and wedge between wood pieces — give them space to hide and they’ll be more confident and visible when they feel safe.
⚠️ Handling and Temperament
Twistneck Turtles are shy and secretive, especially when first introduced to a new setup. They’re not the turtle to handle daily, but more of a display animal for the keeper who loves naturalistic behavior and unique morphology.
Once established, they’ll become bold during feeding time and will start to explore their space more regularly. If you’re looking for a turtle that thrives in a bioactive or natural setup, this species is unmatched.
🚛 Shipping & Live Arrival Guarantee
When you order your Twistneck Turtle for sale from Kingsman Exotic Reptiles, you get peace of mind:
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✅ Live Arrival Guarantee
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✅ Healthy, Captive Bred Animals Only
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✅ Overnight FedEx Priority Shipping
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✅ Seasonal Heat/Cold Packs for Safety
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✅ 7-Day Post-Arrival Health Support
We ship like pros and only when temperatures are safe. Our packaging is designed to keep your turtle secure, hydrated, and stress-free during its journey.
🥇 Why Buy from Kingsman Exotic Reptiles?
Because we live and breathe reptiles — not just sell them.
We raise, breed, and care for our animals full-time. That means:
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You’re getting an animal that’s already acclimated to life in captivity
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You’re getting help before AND after the sale
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You’re buying from people who actually keep and love reptiles, not some warehouse
Every customer gets hands-on support, and our reviews speak for themselves.
🛒 Add a Twistneck Turtle to Your Collection Today
If you’re a serious turtle enthusiast looking to add a rare, unique, and visually wild species to your collection, the Twistneck Turtle is it. Low-key, beautiful, and built for naturalistic habitats, they’re a joy to watch and care for.
👉 Click “Add to Cart” now to buy your Twistneck Turtle for sale before this rare stock sells out.
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