When it comes to exotic pets, turtles seem to lead the list of preferred animals. Some choose them as they are quite adorable, while others opt for them as they are hardy and don't require much in terms of care. You also get to see a great deal of diversity when it comes to the size of these reptiles. Some species easily fit on our palm, while some are as big as our forearm. But obviously, species that stay small are preferred, as there exist numerous benefits of keeping them as pets. Note: If the folks at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are to be believed, you should be wary of getting home a turtle if your household has children under five, elderly people, a pregnant woman, or if someone is suffering from a disease that affects the immune system. They may seem harmless, but turtles carry Salmonella bacteria, which can be easily transferred to humans. Wondering why only the sale of small turtles is banned, when large ones are also known to carry Salmonella? That's because children are less likely to play with large turtles, or put them in their mouth for that matter. When you seek turtles that stay small, you need to take into account the legalities involved. You will come across people indulging in the illegal practice of selling turtles with carapace length of less than four inches, but you are better off reporting such people, instead of buying the small turtles that they are selling. The popularity of small pet turtles can be attributed to the fact that it is convenient to house them even in a small apartment. While large species, which require ample space, have to be kept outdoors, small turtles can be kept in a 40- or 50-gallon aquarium inside the house. More importantly, you don't have to worry much when it comes to their behavior, care, or dietary habits. If you have been looking for turtle species that don't grow too big, given below are some options that you can consider. The best thing about these species is that you don't even have to spend a fortune on their housing or care. However, you need to go through their requirements―as few as they are―and the legalities of keeping them as pets before you make the final call.