Different growth stages of the yellow-headed side-necked turtle require different water levels. In their infancy, they need a shallower water level, and the breeder can adjust the height of the water level to be consistent with the height of the carapace, or it can be 1-2 cm higher. Because they are relatively small in size in childhood, and their physical strength and swimming ability are relatively poor. If they are raised in deep water, they may drown and choke.

As they grow in size, they adapt to a wide range of water level heights, and breeders can adjust according to their size. When they are adults, they can control the height of water level to 2-3 times the height of their carapace. In addition, they prefer to bask in the sun, so breeders need to build a balcony for them in containers. If there are balconies and gentle slopes in the container, the feeding water level can be higher.

The temperature in the origin of yellow-headed side-necked turtles is relatively high, which belongs to tropical turtles, so they can accept high temperature above 30 ℃, but cannot accept low temperature below 20 ℃. If the water temperature is too low, it will affect their appetite and activity. The water temperature can be kept between 24-28 ℃ when the yellow-headed side-necked turtle is artificially raised. In addition, the yellow-headed side-necked turtle has no hibernation habit, so in winter, breeders also need to use heating rods to keep the water temperature above 20 ℃.