southern painteds, european ponds and musks stay small

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The first thought that popped into my mind... turtle or tortoise.

Turtles... musk/mud for sure... Bog turtle(the best)(no chance of you getting them in europe)(legally)(yet)spotteds next... Spotteds are closely related to the bog... and they are available in the UK. I can't think of any European turtles that stay small.

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Ed @ not allowed to post a link
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

Although can all reach circa 6" and would need a tank of about 240 - 300L.

I was thinking about getting a turtle a year ago and their were some in a pet
shop so I went in their and they said that when they are older they will need to be outside in a shed with a pond is that true?

European species are rarely available here in the UK anyway, all native European species are protected so only CBs or LTCs can be kept.
The smallest commonly available species in the UK is the Common Musk.

depends what size you class as small my turtles grow up to 7/8 inches.

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That sounds like an unusally responsible shop you went to Izzie, most would just tell you they "get bigger"!

I don't know what species you saw, but most of the common ones can grow to 12" or more, to keep them indoors would require a tank around twice the size of your bath at least.

Many of us keep our turts in an outdoor pond during the warmer months, some species can be kept outside year-round if the pond is big and deep enough.

Oh! They said they would get a round plate size.

How big's the plate though?