Turtles as a pet
Because they are peaceful and generally easygoing, turtles are a desirable pet choice. They can spread diseases, they’re not social or cuddly animals, and they can even outlive you because of their elongated lifespans. It would help to consider every turtle’s intricate housing and feeding needs.
There are many different species of turtles, and some are better suited as pets than others. They all have varied needs regarding space, illumination, and diet, and some will grow to be huge. Others are noted to be more gregarious and less aggressive than others.
Turtles are among the planet’s oldest reptile species. They are unusual pets because of their hard shells and slow movements. It might be enjoyable to take care of these resilient creatures. Turtles are a lifetime commitment even though they may look like low-maintenance pets because most can survive for decades.
Common habits of turtle
You must have the ideal water filtration system, lighting, and temperature before bringing your turtle home. They will want freedom to move around in their enclosure and during regular area cleanings.
Turtles require a lot of room to roam around. Water turtles require large aquariums with plenty of room to swim and a place to get out of the water and sit under the heat lamp. Even tiny turtles require an aquarium no smaller than 29 gallons, 4 feet long and 18 inches wide. Before bringing your turtle home, you must have the proper lighting, temperature, and water filtration system. Additionally, your turtle will need regular cleaning.
Selection of a pet turtle
Based on where they live, turtles can be classified as either terrestrial or aquatic. Terrestrial, or land-dwelling, turtles are known as box turtles. All across the world, they can be found in moist environments, such as the mossy sections of forests. An outdoor cage with high walls and a top to deter predators is the perfect habitat for a box turtle if you live in a moderate climate (75 to 85 degrees on average).
The ideal temperature for each pet turtle varies depending on the environment. Land turtles can maintain higher body heat for extended periods than aquatic turtles. The perfect temperature for your species will need to be determined, but as a general guideline, keep the tank or pen at 80 degrees during the day and 70 degrees at night.
Nutrition required
Your choice of turtle species will determine its food. The food of land turtles differs from that of water turtles. Turtles consume insects, seafood, dark green vegetables, and freeze-dried mealworms. They require a balanced diet of 20% fruits and 80% veggies. Turtles enjoy tomatoes, melons, and squash.
The kind of turtles you get and their size will determine how much food you offer them. Your turtle can be fed four or five times a week, but you don’t have to provide them daily. Young water turtles, on the other hand, require daily feeding.
Being omnivores, the majority of turtles consume both vegetation and meat. A vast range of foods, including slugs, worms, crickets, apples, tomatoes, melons, and leafy green vegetables, are consumed by box turtles. Because dandelion leaves are abundant in calcium and vitamin A, they are also a fantastic choice for a pet turtle’s diet. But snails are a box turtle’s favorite food if they are pesticide-free. When they are younger, baby box turtles eat meat; they switch to a more vegetarian diet as they age. For aquatic turtles to be able to swallow their food, they must be fed in the water. Sliders include salamanders, snails, and (declawed) crayfish. In addition to their usual diet, they can eat fruits, vegetables, and small pieces of meat.
Needs special care
It’s essential to wash your hands after handling your turtle and avoid bathing them or washing the parts of their habitat in your kitchen or bathroom. Additionally, soak their habitat in a separate container or tub or outside. By doing this, the risk of Salmonella spreading to other family members or pets will be reduced.
Replies frequently carry Salmonella, so avoid petting or kissing your turtle. To prevent disease, ensure kids wash their hands after playing with turtles and refrain from putting their hands in their mouths. It is safer to presume that all reptiles can carry Salmonella, even if your turtle seems healthy.
You can get assistance from a turtle organization if you realize you cannot provide for your pet turtle for whatever reason. Never let your turtle go out into the open. Because they are not outdoor-adapted, pet turtles pose a risk to natural turtle populations.
Require big space
Most turtle breeders will tell you that, in general, a turtle’s tank should be five times longer than it is wide and have water that is 2.5 times deeper than the turtle’s length. The tank size and water volume need to increase with the size of the turtle.
Since turtles eat and defecate in their natural habitat, a strong filter is also necessary to maintain the water’s cleanliness. Depending on the size of the tank and how many turtles it holds, the filter needs to be replaced regularly (your veterinarian should be able to advise you on a preferable frequency).
Turtles can live long
Many turtles have long lifespans of decades if kept in climate-controlled environments with proper humidity and temperature, exposed to UV light, and fed a diet suitable for their species. In actuality, many of my chelonian (another word for turtle) patients outlive their initial owners and are inherited by families. Before introducing a turtle into the house, a prospective owner should consider its longevity.
