Swimming in two plastic bins inside a brightly lit and sterile quarantine room at a Rhode Island zoo, 16 quarter-sized turtle hatchlings represent a growing worry for conservationist Lou Perrotti.

For reptile lovers, turtles can make great pets. With adequate space and water parameters, they offer lots of entertainment. They’re also more active than other small aquatic pets (like hermit crabs), ...

While most turtles are wild, many are adopted as pets each year. Keep in mind that turtles are sometimes considered exotic pets, so there may be local or state laws that restrict their adoption. There ...