Turtles should not be collected from the wild. Those offered at a pet store are good options.
Red-bellied turtles are plant eaters. They will destroy all the plants in the pond. Some ponds that are only for fish have few plants, so they could be raised in this type of pond. Wirestock Creators/Shutterstock
Q: We have fish and plants in our backyard pond, but now we would like to add turtles and dragonflies. How do we get them in the pond, and are they safe to have?
A: Some wild animals will find their own way into the pond, and others you have to add. Some wild animals are not invited, such as alligators in the South and moose or otters in the North.
Jeff Rugg
Author
Email questions to Jeff Rugg at [email protected]. To find out more about Jeff Rugg and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at Creators.com. Copyright 2026 Jeff Rugg. Distributed by Creators Syndicate.
