If you’re like most turtle owners, you want to make sure your pet has a fun and enjoyable life. You want to give them the best turtle enclosure, the yummiest food, and the best care possible. But what about toys?
Turtles love to play, and they need toys to keep them amused and entertained. That’s why we’ve put together this list of the 19 best turtle toys out there. Whether your turtle loves to play in the water or on land, we’ve got you covered. And if you were wondering how to pick a toy for your turtle, don’t worry – we’ve got that covered too.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the top 19 toys for pet turtles to play with. Hopefully, this will help you find the perfect toy for your turtle and give them some fun and entertainment!
Table of Contents
Top 19 Toys For Pet Turtles To Play With
Now that you have a better idea of how to pick the perfect toy for your pet turtle, let’s take a look at some of the best options on the market. We’ve included a wide variety of toys that will be sure to keep your turtle entertained, from classics that never go out of style to innovative new products.
None of these toys will work for every single pet, but they’re a great place to start when you’re looking for something new to keep your turtle entertained. Without further ado, let’s take a look at the top 19 toys for pet turtles!
1. Fish-Shaped Floating Feeder
Floating turtle feeders are a great way to feed your pet turtle and keep the tank clean. The main purpose of these feeders is to keep the food off of the bottom of the tank, which can be difficult to clean and can also lead to bacteria growth. To counteract this, the floating feeders suspend the food in the water, which also allows your turtle to swim around and play while they eat.
The best part of this floating feeder from ZooMed is its fun design. Your turtles will have a grand old time playing with this fish-shaped toy, while enjoying the yummy food that comes with it!
2. Green Doggy Ball
Are you surprised that this doggy toy ball made the list? Well, it just goes to show that even the simplest things can make a great toy for your pet turtle! This ball is made of durable rubber and is designed to bounce erratically, providing your pet with hours of entertainment.
The best part about this toy? It’s affordable and easy to clean – perfect for those who want a low-maintenance toy for their pet turtle.
3. Amano Shrimp
Check On Petco
Amano shrimp aren’t toys per se, but they make great additions to any turtle tank. These little shrimp are scavengers that will eat any leftover food or algae in the tank, making tank maintenance a breeze.
They’re also relatively hardy and can survive in a wide range of water conditions, so they’re perfect for those who want an easy-to-care-for pet turtle. Just be careful not to house them with turtles who like to eat shrimp – you wouldn’t want your pet shrimp to become a menu item!
4. Chasers Turtle Treats
Get It Here
They think of everything these days, don’t they? These Chaser Turtle Treats are the perfect snack for your pet turtle. These little treats are made of a nutritious blend of shrimp, crab, and fish, and will help keep your turtle healthy and active.
The reason these are named “Chasers” is because your turtle will have to work for their food! The treats are designed to move around in the water, providing your pet with a fun and challenging feeding experience.
5. Big Marbles
What kid (or adult) doesn’t love playing with marbles? These Mega Marbles will provide hours of entertainment for your pet turtle. These oversized marbles come in a variety of fun colors, and are perfect for those who want a big, colorful toy for their larger turtles.
The best part? These colored marbles are affordable and easy to clean – perfect for those who want a low-maintenance toy for their pet turtle. Shooter marbles may not look like pet turtle toys, but they most certainly get the job done!
6. Bubbling Round Airstone
Available On Petco
Why not add some excitement to your pet turtle’s tank with this Bubbling Round Airstone? These fun little toys for turtles will add a bubbling stream of water to your turtle habitats, providing your pet with hours of entertainment.
To top it all off, this airstone is aesthetically pleasing, making it the perfect addition to any turtle tank. The gray granite color will match any tank decor, while the bubbling action will keep your pet entertained.
7. Shale Ledge Aquarium Decor
We all know that turtles love to hide, and nothing makes a cooler hiding spot than the Shale Ledge Aquarium Decor! This realistic-looking rock ledge is perfect for those who want to add some extra excitement to their turtle tank.
Your pet turtle will love hiding in the nooks and crannies of this ledge, allowing them to take a breather from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. We all need a break from time to time!
8. Color-Changing Bath Toy
This Color-Changing Bath Toy is the perfect way to keep your pet turtle entertained while you bathe them. This fun little toy is shaped like a rubber ducky, and will change color when it touches water, providing your pet with hours of entertainment. Its flashing lights do not overwhelm, making it perfect for those who want a low-key bath toy for their pet turtle.
Plus, this toy is made of durable plastic, making it perfect for those who have a rough-and-tumble pet turtle. And isn’t that what all turtle parents want – a toy that can keep up with their rambunctious pet?
9. Floating Dock
This Floating Dock is the perfect place for your pet turtle to sun themselves. This soft, plush dock provides a comfortable place for your semi-aquatic turtles to rest, and will help keep them healthy and active.
Your pet will love swimming up to this dock and taking a break from the sun. All turtles need a place to bask in the sun, and this Floating Dock is the perfect way to give your pet turtle the comfort they need.
10. Glass Brush With Suction Cup
You read right – this Glass Brush With Suction Cup, though intended for human use, is also perfect as a toy for your pet turtle. This brush is perfect for those who want to clean their turtle tank, as it will easily remove any algae or gunk that may be building up.
Plus, the suction cup will keep this brush in place while you’re cleaning, so you don’t have to worry about it slipping out of your hands. And with its soft bristles, this brush is perfect for those who want to be gentle when cleaning their turtle tank.
11. Rubber Practice Golf Balls
These Rubber Practice Golf Balls are the perfect way to keep your pet turtle entertained. These balls are made of durable rubber, making them perfect for those who have a rambunctious pet turtle.
Plus, these golf balls are designed to bounce, so your pet turtle can play catch with them (or just chase them around). And with tiny little holes in them, these balls also double as treat balls. Think of it as a ping-pong ball with some extra character!
12. Floating Turtle Log
This Floating Turtle Log is the perfect place for your pet turtle to sun themselves. This soft, plush dock provides a comfortable place for your pet to rest, and will help keep them healthy and active.
Your pet turtle will love swimming up to this dock and watching the world go by. It’s a great, big world out there, and your pet turtle will love observing it from the comfort of this Floating Turtle Log.
13. Tankmates
You know what they say – two turtles are better than one! If you want to keep your pet turtle entertained, consider adding a tankmate to your tank. Generally speaking, a fellow turtle or any fish that is smaller than your turtle will make a good tankmate.
Just be sure to do your research before adding a new tank mate, as some of them may be incompatible with your pet. And always introduce new tankmates slowly, so they have time to adjust. Your pet turtle will absolutely love playing with its new friends!
Live Plants
Okay, just to clarify – live plants are not toys! Far from it. However, they do provide a lot of mental stimulation and environmental enrichment for your pet turtle, and should be considered a must-have for any turtle tank. Here are some of our top-recommended plants for turtle tanks:
14. Amazon Sword
Amazon swords are named after the Amazon River, where they are found in the wild. These beautiful plants can grow up to 3 feet tall, and their broad leaves provide a great hiding place for your pet turtle.
Plus, amazon swords are great for filtration, and will help keep your tank clean and healthy. As far as plants go, amazon swords are one of the easiest to care for – just make sure to keep them away from turtles that might try to eat them.
15. Crystalwort
Crystalwort reminds us of little glass beads, and that’s because the plant is covered in tiny, transparent bubbles. These bubbles not only make crystalwort a beautiful addition to your tank, but they also provide a lot of surface area for bacteria to grow on.
The fact that crystalwort grows so quickly also makes it a great choice for new turtle tanks. Just be sure to remove any dead leaves, as crystalwort can easily become overgrown. Your pet turtle will love swimming through this beautiful plant!
16. Frogbit
Frogbit is a unique, floating plant that gets its name from the frog-like shape of its leaves. This hardy plant can easily withstand changes in water conditions, making it a great choice for beginner turtle tanks.
Plus, frogbit is a great place for your pet turtle to hide and rest. Its leaves provide plenty of shade, and its floating nature will keep your tank looking lively and colorful.
17. Eelgrass
Eelgrass is a type of seagrass that can be found in both salt and freshwater environments. It is an important part of marine ecosystems, as it stabilizes the sediment at the bottom of the sea, and plays a role in carbon sequestration.
All of that is great, but what does it mean for your pet turtle? Simply put, eelgrass is a great place for your turtle to swim and play. It’s soft and gentle on their skin, and the seagrass provides plenty of hiding places for them to explore.
18. Waterweed
With roots (both literal and figurative) in North America, waterweed is a hardy plant that can thrive in a variety of water conditions. It’s also one of the fastest-growing plants in the aquarium hobby, making it perfect for new turtle tanks.
Waterweed provides plenty of hiding places for your pet turtle, and its broad leaves help to oxygenate the water. Plus, as an added bonus, waterweed can be used to control algae growth in your tank.
19. Moss Balls
Marimo moss balls are a type of moss that is found in lakes and ponds all over the world. They are harvested commercially for use in the aquarium hobby, as they are one of the easiest plants to care for.
Your pet turtle will love playing with these soft, round balls of moss. They make a fun little additions, and their gentle movement will keep your tank looking lively and colorful. Plus, moss balls help to filter the water, keeping your tank healthy.
Choosing the Best Toys For Your Turtle
Before moving on to the best toys for your pet turtle, you first need to choose the right one. Not all turtles are the same, so you’ll need to pick a toy that will fit the specific needs of your pet. Here are some things you’ll need to take into account when choosing a toy:
Species
The same way turtles come in a variety of shapes and sizes, they also have different needs when it comes to toys. For example, aquatic turtles such as red-eared sliders and cooters need toys that can float, while land turtles such as box turtles will prefer toys they can hide in and explore.
Musk turtles, on the other hand, are content with just about anything they can play with – so any small toy will do. And as for bog turtles? They’re happiest when they’re swimming among aquatic plants!
While there’s no hard and fast rule for which toys belong to which turtles, it’s always a good idea to do some research on the specific needs of your pet before going shopping.
Age
Just like human babies, young turtles need different toys than adult turtles. A small, safe toy is perfect for a juvenile turtle – something they can chew and play with that won’t pose a choking hazard. You also don’t want to give a young turtle anything that could potentially roll over and trap them, such as a large ball.
As your turtle gets older, they’ll be able to handle more adventurous toys. This can be anything from a large, sturdy toy that can be bashed around, to something that requires problem solving skills to figure out how to play with it.
At the end of the day, it’s important to always supervise your turtle when they’re playing with their toys, to make sure they’re not hurting themselves. Safety comes first!
Environment
We’re not saying that toys should be compatible with the natural habitat of your turtles – that would be crazy! But you should try to find toys that will at least stimulate their natural instincts and keep your turtle happy. The environment of turtles dictates what toys they should have.
For example, if your turtle is housed in a larger tank, they’ll appreciate a toy for turtles that comes with cubby holes, nooks, and crannies that they can hide in when things get overwhelming. And if your turtle enclosure is on the smaller side, a toy that floats and can be used as a bridge or obstacle in the water will keep them entertained for hours on end.
Functionality
Yes, aquatic turtle toys are supposed to be fun and hopefully create some bonding time between you and your pet, but they should also serve a purpose. Toys that dispense food or treats are perfect for this, especially if you have an aquatic turtle tank. Not only are they a ton of fun, they also make daily meal times more interesting for your turtle!
Of course, there are always the classics that never go out of style. A standard ball for turtles is perfect for owners who want to entertain their turtle with exercise, and a turtle cave can be great for pets that are shy and would benefit from an additional hiding spot.
Sometimes, the best toys for turtles can be found in your own backyard! If you’re lucky enough to have a pond, give your aquatic turtle a toy that will let them swim and explore. Just be sure to watch them carefully to make sure they’re safe!
Safety
Nobody likes to think of toys in terms of safety, but it’s one of the most important things to consider when picking out a toy for your pet turtle. All toys should be non-toxic and made from safe materials, and you’ll want to avoid anything that could potentially lead to detrimental health effects.
For example, toys that leech harmful chemicalsinto the water should be avoided at all costs. Not only will they lead to a whole host of health issues for your pet, but they can also be dangerous for the other aquatic life in your tank. Always do your research and purchase turtle tank toys from reputable brands to ensure your pet’s safety.
When used correctly, toys can do wonders for a turtle’s physical health and mental health. So, be sure to pick out a toy that’s safe so that you and your pet can reap the benefits of a well-constructed toy.
Wrapping Up
We hope you found this list of the top 19 toys for pet turtles to play with helpful. Just remember, always keep an eye on your pet turtle while they are playing, and don’t give them any toys that might be harmful to their health. Above all, have fun with your new addition to the family!
That’s all for now! Be sure to check back soon for more articles on caring for turtles and accessories that go with their tanks. In the meantime, did you have any questions about this article? Let us know in the comments below! We’d love to help!
As always, thanks for reading, and please share this article with a fellow turtle enthusiast who might find it helpful! Happy turtle-keeping!
