which turtle

[tomsam]

hi all dont know which turtle to go for.adult size isnt a problem.i liked the musks but do they hide alot and the smelly glands have put me off. like the look of mud turtles. i want something thats gonna be active in day time and aquatic with small land/basking spot.there are alot of maps about

[Graham]

I keep Musks and know lots of other people who do, and I know of very few instances of them actually musking, mine never have while I've had them.
It's a defence that they only use when they feel really threatened, so unless you plan to frighten the life out of them it's no reason not to keep them!
Mud turtles have a very similar activity pattern to Musks, I don't know what makes you think Musks hide a lot though? Mine are always very active and rarely hide away, they are far more active than most basking species which just lie about for most of the day.

BTW, this is the picture section you've posted in.

[Turtle Jo]

I would say muds are shyer than musks... and will quite happily sit around doing not very much all day!

Never been musked by a musk turtle either... so don't let that put you off. My musk is extremely active like Graham's.

If you want an interactive turtle that stays relatively small, I would say either a musk or an African Helmeted turtle.

Maps are nice too, but unless you buy a mature specimen you could end up with a rather large female on your hands.