How to care for a turtle

Do you want to adopt a pet? Have you ever considered getting a turtle?

We are passionate about turtles, and we will help you make the right decision on how to care for them.

Caring for a turtle is no easy task. They are fragile creatures that require attention and a great deal of care. Whether aquatic or terrestrial, there are several steps to follow to properly care for a turtle. These animals require much more monitoring and maintenance than you might think.

To teach you how to properly care for a turtle, you will discover:

• What You Need to Know About Turtles Before Buying One
• What types of turtles exist?
• What you need to know about feeding them

Let's get started!

Caring for a Turtle

First of all, choosing a turtle as a pet is one of the heroic acts that anyone can do right now, given that some turtle species are on the verge of extinction. By deciding to adopt one, you are contributing to the preservation of a species. That said, you will now be able to tell the difference between a sea turtle and a land turtle , because we will be talking a lot about it.

A turtle is a very discreet living being, but it's actually a domestic animal that requires a lot of attention. Despite the hardness of its shell, a sudden shock could be fatal for these creatures. You must remain vigilant and, above all, pay attention to its diet. We'll explain in detail how to feed your pet turtle. And be careful, because the diet of an aquatic turtle and a land turtle is completely different.

You'll learn everything about its lifestyle and habits. Generally, a turtle doesn't take up much space in your home. It essentially needs a healthy, clean , and peaceful environment to slowly thrive. In the case of a water turtle, it will need a natural water source and space to grow. While a land turtle thrives in a fairly large, fenced-in area.

Some tips to consider before buying a turtle

Some tortoises are now in danger of extinction; various breeds, such as Hermann 's tortoises, are protected species and cannot be traded (their possession is strictly regulated). In fact, it is against the law to take a tortoise home after removing it from its natural habitat. Besides being an inhumane act, it is a crime in most countries, with legal consequences as well.

Before you have to explain yourself to the police, you should do some research. Quarantine any new turtles before exposing them to others, especially if you don't know where they came from. Also, keep in mind that these animals don't require a high level of interaction and can cause infections or accidents.

The most common cause of death in pet turtles is accidents, many of which are due to improper ownership or "handling" by a child. So, if you want to teach a child responsibility and assign them chores at specific times, don't entrust them with a living creature. Save both the child and the animal from unnecessary suffering.

Basic care

Turtles are a long-term commitment, so if you're not ready for the responsibility, we recommend forgoing the option of getting one. That's why we also recommend not buying one for your children unless they're under the careful supervision of an adult. To give you an idea, well-cared-for turtles can have a lifespan of 50 years, and some species can even live up to 100 years.

The species you choose is very important. Most turtles grow quite large and require large tanks or terrariums. Additionally, an outdoor space promotes better health for turtles, whether it's an aquatic or terrestrial space.
However, the turtles commonly found in pet stores are generally the smallest species of turtle that exists.

It is important that turtles are exposed to UV light through the use of UVA/UVB lamps (i.e., reptile maintenance lamps) or natural sunlight. As for diet, they need a good variety of foods, including fresh vegetables and fruits. If you decide to buy a large turtle, be aware that it can produce a lot of waste and can be very dirty. On the other hand, some species go into hibernation, and if the environment is not suitable, it can become stressful for the turtle.

Turtles need to stay healthy

Proper water temperature, water quality and diet are fundamental aspects of maintaining good health for aquatic , semi-aquatic and terrestrial turtles.

It is not an animal that needs a lot of exercise and observation, it is a good pet for those who lead an active lifestyle . The care of a turtle depends a lot on its class. In general, it is easy to find two types:

Freshwater turtles

Aquatic turtles need a large, spacious habitat to swim safely. Generally, opt for large aquariums (so as not to hinder the turtle's growth) filled with freshwater or saltwater, as well as an area above the water that allows them to rest and bask.

The water must be deep enough to allow the animal to submerge completely: in fact, the turtle's favorite activity is swimming. Place the aquarium in a place exposed to the sun, because in addition to being good for their bones and shell , these animals can regulate their body temperature through contact with the sun. Keeping the water clean is essential for the turtle's health, to prevent the spread of bacteria that could damage it.

Therefore, you need to get a filter and change the water frequently, depending on the number of turtles in the aquarium (it is always advisable to buy them in pairs to combat boredom and depression), and adjust the temperature, so that it is not lower than 25 degrees and not higher than 28.

This will help prevent thermal shock and the possibility of some species going into hibernation , which is quite difficult to control. It is important to keep in mind that turtles regulate their temperature differently than mammals.

Land turtles

Land turtles need more space to move around than aquatic turtles.

Indeed, they spend more time on land and need to be able to move in an environment free from predators (cats, dogs, some birds), but at the same time they need a space where they can swim.
When they are small, an aquarium is sufficient, but once they are adults, it is better to have a yard with a pond available.

Additionally, tortoises need a den to sleep in, or hibernate if necessary. Be careful, as some tortoises like to bury themselves in muddy areas, and if you're not careful, they may dry out and die before they emerge.

Feeding the turtles

Turtles' diet is relatively simple. It is recommended to give them a diet rich in calcium. However, they can eat all kinds of vegetables and fruits, and sometimes even meat.
Always offer your turtle a complete commercial diet prepared especially for this animal, you can find it in specialized stores.

When purchasing turtle food, it is essential that you know what species of turtle you have. If in doubt, the best thing to do is consult your veterinarian. You can supplement your turtle's diet with algae, green leafy vegetation, and fruit.

If you have an aquatic species, it is normal for it to be herbivorous , although this is not always the case. As for feeding frequency, you should provide your pet with food two or three times a week in a small, separate feeder.

Feeding water turtles

Offer them sticks or pellets with a specific formula for water turtles as their main option. It's important that the formula is age-appropriate. Turtles are omnivores and are also very greedy. They always have a big appetite!

Let's see what a turtle's diet consists of.

Feed turtles twice a day. It is best to feed them when there is light in the habitat , as they generally do not eat when it is dark.

Vary the diet throughout the week with Gammarus , mosquito larvae andKrill . It is also important to have a calcium stone in the turtle's water.

What does it take to feed a land turtle?

Within the general care of the tortoise, another of the most important aspects is to maintain an adequate diet with a high fiber content that includes grass, plants, flowers, vegetables , pieces of raw meat, worms and all types of fruits except citrus fruits.

Sunlight is essential for tortoises because it's how they absorb calcium from their diet to keep their shells healthy and strong. That's why they need to sunbathe for at least 15 minutes a day.

For their daily diet , you can try several foods formulated specifically for tortoises and see which ones they prefer. You can also try giving them dry dog ​​or cat food once a week.

You will still need to supplement their diet with a calcium supplement, as it is difficult to choose the right foods for the right calcium to phosphorus ratio. You will also need to provide some vitamin supplements to your tortoise's diet.

You must be very careful with the quantities, because trying to compensate for the lack of sunlight with excess vitamin D3 can cause diseases in your turtle such as hypercalcemia , soft tissue mineralization or kidney disease. On the other hand, insufficient calcium intake, combined with a lack of sunlight and heat, could lead to secondary nutritional hyperparathyroidism in your tortoise.

Is water important for turtles?

Water is an essential element in tortoise terrariums. You'll always need a container of clean, fresh water, but it's also very stimulating for some tortoises to have a running water source.

If possible, take your turtle out of its terrarium from time to time for some exercise. A short walk in an area with grass and natural plants will be very beneficial for its health.

Of course, all this care will be relegated to the background if your tortoise is allowed to live freely in a garden . It will choose its own favorite spots to sunbathe, hibernate, and take long, leisurely walks every day.

Do turtles hibernate?

Remember that turtles need to hibernate, so you need to create a place inside the terrarium where your turtle can hide all winter .

During this time of year, your turtle will be doing only one thing: sleeping . Don't worry if you don't see your turtle eating or moving. If you want to know everything about turtle hibernation, check out this article.

How to care for land turtles?

Turtles, although now common pets, retain their wild souls and, unlike dogs and cats, do not perceive humans as social partners.

They don't like being turned, lifted and/or carried: for them, it's just a source of stress .

Since tortoises like warm , bright environments and love to burrow, we can care for them by creating a habitat that reflects their ecosystem in 4 ideal steps:

1. The space must be very large and the enclosure at least 8 times the length of the animal, with alternating sunny and shaded areas.

2. The layer of sand and soil (fine and dry) at the bottom of the enclosure must be at least 15 cm thick.

4. There must be a drinking trough that always contains clean water.

The turtle in an apartment

The tortoise can also live peacefully in captivity in an apartment. All you need to do is create a personal space for it using a simple cardboard or plastic box . Depending on the size of the tortoise, this box will be more or less large and will need to be replaced as it grows.

It is recommended to start with a container with a minimum size of 60 x 90 centimeters and a minimum height of 30 centimeters. Next to this box, we recommend placing a broad-spectrum lamp , as the turtle loves sunlight. Inside the box, you can place small logs or stones that the turtle will use to have fun climbing on them.

This animal normally sleeps in a dark place, in which it hides, and to create it, it is possible to place a pot upside down at the bottom of the sand. Turtles like to get wet and it is advisable to place a container in which water can be put, with a maximum height of 3 centimeters to avoid problems since they are not good swimmers.

Turtles in the garden

A garden or yard is the ideal solution for caring for turtles. Here, you just need to provide them with space to move around, but you must be careful because these reptiles are very good at digging holes and also climbing, so you must ensure that they don't escape or put themselves in danger.

The ideal would be to create a fence inside a garden, if not it is also good inside the house , the important thing is to always ensure plenty of light.

How to Care for a Water Turtle: Tips

The area should be in a quiet spot, away from doors or windows. Avoid locations near radiators and/or areas that receive direct cold air currents. Two-thirds of your turtle's tank should be prepared for swimming and one-third for land and basking, either in natural sunlight or using a full-spectrum UV light source.

If your turtle lives outdoors, make sure there is an environment where the lamp can be installed during fall and winter, as these are cold dates.
The ideal temperature for a turtle is between 25 and 35 degrees Celsius. Use an aquarium heater if necessary.

Turtles become sluggish and stop eating at low temperatures.
If you have turtles in open spaces, make sure you leave clean water available for them at all times, and if you also have an artificial lake , it is important that the water moves in some way, automatically.

Keep your turtle's environment from becoming a mess by cleaning it regularly. A buildup of fecal and other waste can lead to health problems for both you and your turtle.

What container do I need?

To house your water turtle, we recommend a large enclosure, 8 to 15 liters for each juvenile turtle at least (turtle shell 3 to 6 cm).

As your turtle grows, it will need more space, so it's advisable to look for as much space as possible!

What accessories does my turtle need?

Besides being concerned about water and dry area, another factor to consider in the turtle's life is the control of temperature , humidity and light.

Below we outline the three main devices needed to keep your pet happy and healthy:

1. Turtle-specific heaters. This device keeps the water temperature between 23 and 25°C. It has a shock-resistant structure, so be careful! It will burn the turtle if it touches it.

2. Filtration equipment. This is a device that keeps the water clean and biologically balanced. It reduces maintenance and improves the quality of life of the turtles.

3. Specific lighting system for aquatic turtles. If your turtle does not have the opportunity to sunbathe inside the house, the ideal is to provide it with a lighting system consisting of a lamp holder and a bulb specific to an aquatic turtle. The light emitted by this lamp has a balance between UVB and UVA necessary for optimal metabolism of calcium and vitamins . These systems are designed to withstand splashing water.

You can enrich your tortoise's habitat by providing moderate climbing accessories . Consider adding an area of ​​pebbles, branches, and bushes for your tortoise to climb or seek shade.
Turtles also like to burrow, so make sure there is a deep layer of a mixture of sand and aquarium gravel.

What is the best terrarium for my pet tortoise?

The main thing is that your tortoise's terrarium is as large as possible, so that it can move around without any problems . In the case of turtles, it will be enough to make it wide; we will not need it to be high.

You should also put a good substrate on the terrarium floor, with large particles so that your turtle does not eat them and so that it is not irritating or toxic. Although many use newspaper, remember that you will have to change it completely, and more often than the substrate , to keep the terrarium clean and dry.

Additionally, the ink eventually sticks to the legs and can cause veterinary problems. It is best to use a natural bedding made from sand, soil, and leaves. You will need to closely monitor the terrarium to maintain good hygiene and prevent your turtle from eating these materials or becoming infested with mites .

It's also very important to monitor the humidity, temperature, and lighting of your environment. It's recommended to position your tortoise terrarium near a window to allow direct light and good ventilation. If this isn't possible, you'll need to install special terrarium lamps and artificial heat sources.

Choose a turtle as a pet

In short, the turtle is the perfect pet for those who prefer quiet and discreet animals. You now know that there are two types of turtles: land turtles and aquatic turtles.
Both turtle species require a well-balanced and closely monitored diet. Now you know what the main diet of these two types of turtles is.

You also know that turtles are robust animals, especially thanks to their shell. However, be vigilant and secure their enclosure , because almost all deaths of these creatures are caused by accidents (shocks, falls, etc.). This animal, which has become domesticated, adapts very well to its environment.

It's still wise to consult a veterinarian if you have any concerns about your turtle's well-being. However, we hope these tips and recommendations have helped you make the leap to owning a turtle as a pet.

You will quickly see that the turtle can be a very good companion and a loyal friend, who will not give you too much trouble.
Make sure your turtle has everything it needs by following all of our helpful tips , whether it's a water turtle or a land turtle.

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