I like Leatherbacks, Loggerheads, and Greens. But that's because I'm a Marine Bio girl!!!

I don't know a lot about domestic turtles. I know the ones around here and I've seen a bunch of ferox, the Florida Softshells, in the wild.

Cetaceans

You might like this book. KRONOS by Jeremy Robinson.

Good luck in your field of study!!

Very helpful RUFFREADY.
I'm just afraid I won't find a turtle out here. I'd have to buy one.

painted turtles make decent pets- good sized aquairium with a floating pad for them to sit on under a nice light and they are happy.pet stores carry turtle food. painters also eat most any invertabrates but don't throw them in the tank as they can contaminate the water. a big painter is about 10" long.
they also eat minnows-if you get them from a pet store you should be ok.sliders are about the same size but rarer, wood turtles are a bit bigger but more terrestrial, boxturtles are great pets- theyjust roam the house and don't need a tank.
soft shells can be nasty don't know alot about them since i live in the ne and they aren't here.
snappers get big and you don't want to mess with them- they are mean and can and will take a finger off.
anyway if you get a painter just make sure you get a nice tank for it and they are very docile and fun to watch but as with any reptile be clean as they are known to carry salmonella and you can also infect them with a human disease