My best friend(15&girl) wants a turtle for Christmas and it's a total surprise that I'm actually getting it! So which would be best for a good first turtle/more friendly one?

Painted Turtles are cheaper to care for than RES' because they do not get as large. You need to think of the type of set-up she is willing to upgrade to in the future. A single female RES will require around 100-150 gallons just to herself. My painted turtles (2 of them) will require 125-150 to house the both of them. There's a big size difference when it comes to female RES' and female painted's. I would have loved to have an RES, but I think that is a huge requirement just for one turtle.

Turtle Owner

Depends on the type of setup and research that has been done. RES get very large and need huge swimming areas. The least a female will need is a 150 gallon tank. pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com

There are smaller painted turtles (southern painted) males need a 55 gallon and females a 75 gallon.

Both are similar in care.
My RES are beggars so they are out in the front most of the time. My Paints took a little longer to get used to me but are super personable.

With proper research and adequate care both make excellent pets.

This is an amazing website to do research or get an idea of the right kind of turtle
http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Care/ca…

They may be small now but RES and all but the Southern painted get very large.

Raise, breed, rescue turtles and tortoises

Find a good adoption agency, such as the American Tortoise Rescue. In some states painted's are protected, and red eared sliders are invasive in others...so do your homework. In my experience RES have been pretty laid back, one of my all time favorite personalities was a false map turtle. But turtles in general are great, so long as you ensure that all of their specific needs are met!

reptile keeper 15+ years pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com
crocodililians
chelonians
squamates

well i had a red earred slider and it was very nice and i think a red earred slider is better for a bieggener one
hope this works