All books in the Family Pet Series offer sound basic information to individuals and families for whom pet ownership is a new experience. Each book presents information on selecting, purchasing, and caring for an animal. Special Children's Corner sidebars feature graphics and information especially written with children's pet interests in mind. All Family Pet books are profusely illustrated with full-color photos and artwork, and all are written in clear, non-technical language.

This volume advises on care of turtles and tortoises, and tells how to distinguish one from the other. Freshwater tortoises have higher and more rounded shell shapes than pet freshwater turtles, and unlike turtles, they do not swim. This manual instructs on best places to obtain turtles and tortoises, what to feed them, how to set up a minipond, how to understand the animal's body language, and even how to breed them. There are tips on dealing with problems, including skin shedding, and some animals' tendency to hide or to bite one another when kept as pairs. Here is everything that beginning pet owners need to know about the care of these interesting reptiles.