The pros and cons of having a pet turtle - For those in the market for a house pet, but want to steer clear of the typical choices of dogs or cats, reptiles are a common option. While they may not be as fluffy as their critter counterparts, there is a range of benefits to having a turtle around the house. However, like all pets, they also present their own set of challenges. To celebrate National Turtle Day on May 23, check out the following gallery and see if a pet turtle would be your ideal companion.

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Pros - Who could say no to that little face? Here are a few pros of choosing a turtle as your pet.

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Pure cuteness - While they are scaly, it is difficult to deny how adorable these little creatures are. The proof is in the picture.

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Price - Unless you would like to purchase a particularly fancy turtle from a breeder, the average price of a turtle runs around $20.

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Harmless (mostly) - You very rarely have to worry about you or someone you love being attacked by your pet turtle (unless you own a snapping turtle). The worst case is that they will charge towards you very VERY slowly.

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Lifelong friendship - If they are properly taken care of, even in captivity, smaller turtles can live between 30 and 40 years, according to animals.mom.me. If you don't want to say goodbye to your little buddy anytime soon, then you're in luck!

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Trainable - While it wouldn't be advised to make your turtle roll over, they are capable of doing some tricks. In ancient Turkey, tortoises were taught to come to their owner when called, according to SheKnows.

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Low-maintenance - Turtles, in general, are fairly independent creatures. There is no need to take them on walks or play with them. As long as their necessities are met then that's all they need.

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Size - As far as pets go, domesticated turtles tend to be on the smaller side. If you're living in an apartment or a small house then a turtle could be a great option. 

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Quiet - No need to worry about dogs barking at the neighbors or a cat's meow keeping you up at night. If you crave tranquility in your home, a pet turtle isn't a bad option.

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Portable - You can take your pet turtle just about anywhere. You don't have to worry about hauling a heavy crate around if you want your new reptilian friend to join you running errands.

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They know who you are - Believe it or not, turtles can actually recognize the appearance and sounds of their owners, according to Vetstreet.

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Not picky eaters - Turtles are omnivores, so depending on your preference you can feed them fruits and vegetables or feeder fish and worms. 

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Easy to please - You don't need to splurge on fancy toys or treats to make your pet turtle happy. As long as they can swim and bask in the sunlight, then they will be content.

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Adaptable to different habitats - Depending on the type of home you live in and the climate, you can choose to keep your pet turtle in a tank inside or in an outdoor pond. 

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You can tell girls and boys apart - It is often difficult to tell the sex of most pets from a first glance, but not turtles. You can tell the difference between male and female turtles from the animal's tail length, shell shape, and even eye color.

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Cons - Despite the many positives to owning a turtle, there are still a few negatives worth considering before you fully commit.

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They transmit bacteria - Unfortunately, all turtles carry salmonella and can pass it on to their owners. This is particularly concentrated in their stool, so you must exercise caution while cleaning a turtle's cage.

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They only love you when fed - Turtles are not nearly as accustomed to interaction with humans as dogs and cats. They tend to treat their owners with indifference. The most attention you will get from them is during feeding time.

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Costly habitat - While turtles themselves are not expensive to buy initially, housing them is another story entirely. According to PetHelpful, an enclosure could cost between $600 and $1,200. Plus yearly upkeep costs hundreds more.

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Not particularly cuddly - With their hard exterior and scaly skin, turtles aren't nearly as optimal for cuddling as a dog or a cat.

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It's a big commitment - While keeping a pet for up to 40 years may sound great to some, for others, keeping a turtle for that long is too much responsibility.

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They are not the best for children - Due to the delicate immune systems of children, it could be particularly dangerous to keep a turtle as a pet because kids could easily be infected by the bacteria they carry.

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Daily upkeep - It is extremely important that turtles have fresh water and clean bedding daily. If you can't devote 30 minutes every day to taking care of a turtle, then they may not be the right pet choice for you.

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They can be overfed - Like dogs, turtles will jump at any opportunity to have food. They may even "beg" to be fed when you walk by their cage. Even though it's tempting, it's important to only feed them how much they need to prevent diseases.

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Beware of the babies - Female turtles lay eggs all year long regardless of if a male turtle is around to fertilize them. So don't panic—you may not be a grandparent just yet.

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They sleep the day away (sometimes) - Turtles actually hibernate just like bears do. According to PetHelpful, turtles typically have their annual rest time for 10 to 20 weeks.

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They must be supervised with other pets - If you already have pets in the home, it is important to keep an eye on your pet turtle so they aren't bitten or scratched by a larger animal.

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You must be climate conscious - While you are purchasing a turtle it is ideal to buy one that is from a similar climate to the one you live in. Otherwise, you may have to put in extra effort to ensure your pet's enclosure is set to the correct temperature.

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There is a chance you end up with a wild turtle - The exotic pet market is booming, so when purchasing a turtle it is critical to verify that the animal was not caught in the wild. This will help ensure that you are taking care of your pet correctly and can keep it healthy.

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They have specific habitat requirements - You must make sure that the enclosure is large enough so that your pet has room to grow. Also, you should not buy a cage with a glass top because it restricts UV-B light, which is critical for your turtle's health. You also need a quality UV source in combination with natural sunlight.

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They need land AND water - Not all turtles can swim well, and they all need dry land where they can lay out as well. For example, box turtles spend most of their time on land.

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