do turtles get lonely!

Question
hey I'm getting a turtle at the end of the week but I'm just
wondering should i buy 2 so they can keep each other company
or would it make a difference whether theres 2 in the tank or
1?

Answer
Hi Ash,

There isn't a simple answer to your question, other than that turtles don't get lonely.  They are solitary creatures, so keeping just one is fine.  As far as keeping two together, it really depends on the species, the age, and the size of your tank.  Turtles require a lot of space, and even if you get hatchlings now, they will grow and will need a fairly large tank for even the smallest species.  If you're getting RES, you'll need at least a 50 gallon tank for one adult male.  If you're getting a mud turtle, they can get by with a smaller tank, but will still need at least 30-40 gallons for one turtle.  Ideally you should double the space for two.  If you can't provide large enough accommodations for two turtles, then stick to one, and it'll be fine.