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Raising a water turtle can be a fulfilling and rewarding experience. These unique creatures require special care and attention to ensure they thrive in their aquatic environment. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced turtle owner, understanding the proper techniques and considerations for raising a water turtle is essential. This guide will provide you with comprehensive information on how to create a suitable habitat, maintain proper nutrition, establish a regular health care routine, and foster a strong bond with your water turtle. By following these guidelines, you can ensure the health and happiness of your pet while embarking on a journey of companionship and discovery.
This article was co-written by Audra Barrios. Audra Barrios is a marine biologist and owner of Lick Your Eyeballs, a business that supplies reptiles, supplies and plants. With over 15 years of experience, Audra specializes in reptiles and rare animals, environmental education, marine biology, conservation issues and animal husbandry. Audra holds a bachelor’s degree in marine biology from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and studied natural sciences at the University of Marin. She is the founder and CEO of Things That Creep, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving reptiles and amphibians through education. For the past 6 years she has worked as a biologist at the California Academy of Sciences.
There are 11 references cited in this article that you can view at the bottom of the page.
This article has been viewed 76,283 times.
Some species of tortoises and water turtles can live very long, even outliving humans. If you want to keep this gentle and enjoyable pet, you need to learn how to prepare the right habitat for your turtle to enjoy. You should also learn techniques for feeding, cleaning, and long-term care of water turtles.
Steps
Prepare habitat for turtles
- Popular pet water turtles are sideneck turtles, wood turtles, painted turtles, pond turtles, and slider turtles.
- Popular tortoise species are the red-footed tortoise, the Greek tortoise, and the Russian tortoise.
- For your turtle to live a long and healthy life, you will need more than a glass jar and a stone. The tiny “turtle ponds” sold in pet stores aren’t enough for turtles, sometimes called “dead pools” by experienced turtle owners.
- Turtles will grow, so you need to talk to the turtle seller about the specific breed of tortoise you plan to keep and learn more and other turtle breeds and sizes they can reach. Buy the right tank for your turtle’s maximum size instead of just relying on its current size.
- For most water turtles, you’ll need to keep the temperature in your aquarium around 25 degrees Celsius, but some turtles can tolerate temperatures slightly lower or higher.
- Usually you just need to clip the heater on the top of the tank and tilt it down. Mount an easy-to-read digital thermometer on the tank wall to ensure a stable temperature.
- You will need to create a temperature range in your turtle tank so that one side is hot and one side is cold. Thus, turtles can regulate their own body temperature.
- Place a sloping rock for the water turtles so they can sunbathe and warm up on land. You should buy a wide aquarium and a rock about 10 cm long. Wash the stone with non-chemically treated water.
- Some wooden boards or some bricks are also great materials to create a terrestrial area for turtles because they are easy to clean. You just need to keep it dry and slightly sloping down into the water for easy access by the turtles. Wood chips and bark can become infected with mold, which turtles sometimes gnaw on and cause problems. It is best to avoid these materials.
- Plastic or clay shelters are also a good idea. Go to the pet store to find the right size or make your own with a few stones.
- If you want to grow plants in a tank, you should do a quick check to make sure the plants are suitable and won’t harm the turtle if they have food and leaves. Real plants are great but will be eaten by turtles in a few days. Unless you have a pond with plants, consider decorating it with artificial plants.
- A teaspoon of salt mixed with every 4 liters of water will help reduce bad bacteria and protect turtles from skin and shell diseases.
- Regularly spray water over terrestrial areas to maintain humidity. Again, this will vary by species of tortoise.
- Water purifiers are usually quite quiet and also inexpensive, consisting of a small reservoir that draws water in and filters the water through a filter, then returns it to the tank.
- You still need to change the water and wash the tank once a month, but without a water purifier you will have to change the water much more often (2-3 days).
Feed the turtles
- Most water turtles are carnivores, while tortoises are mainly herbivores. Water turtles like to eat mealworms, rice worms, snails, maggots and many other insects. Tortoises love fruit and vegetables, including dark leafy greens like kale and radishes, corn, and watermelon.
- Overfeeding your turtle or eating the wrong food can have serious consequences for your turtle’s health. Turtles usually live very long lives, so it is important that you regularly provide them with the right and sufficient nutrients.
- Dry food for turtles is also good. Turtle food usually comes in pellet form, which is a mixture of dried shrimp, dried crickets and a variety of vitamins and minerals needed for a healthy and happy turtle. Any turtle food sold at pet stores will work. The amount of food will depend on the size of the turtle.
- Don’t feed your tortoise with food scraps. However, it’s also good to feed your tortoises and water turtles with green vegetables from time to time, because it’s a healthy snack. And if you don’t mind, water turtles are delighted to occasionally eat worms or maggots that you throw in the tank.
- In general, turtles need a daily serving of vegetables as large as their body size.
- Many species of water turtles excrete immediately after eating. If you leave the turtle in the feeder for a while after eating, it will excrete onto the plate. Thus there will be less waste in the water. Not overfeeding is also a way to reduce your turtle’s waste.
Taking care of turtles
- Regularly change new drinking water for turtles. If you use a water purifier, you only need to change the water every 2 weeks.
- Change the water, reinstall lights, thermometers and other devices, then release the turtle back to its clean home.
- Gently brush away moss or other organisms from the turtle’s shell with a toothbrush. Many turtles are delighted to be brushed, so it’s a fun experience for your turtle.
- Do not put your hand near the turtle’s mouth every time you hold the turtle. You can be bitten by a tortoise, even if it’s just by accident.
- How to help turtles live happily? Leave the turtle in its environment and watch it swim, eat, warm and crawl around the house you’ve prepared for it. They will be much happier, and so will you.
- Most people have noticed that tortoises like to be outdoors and crawl around, while water turtles like to stay in their habitat and don’t like people holding hands. However, you should still refrain from picking up tortoises.
Advice
- Wash the tank and bathe the turtle about once a week.
- Use a cotton swab and untreated water to clean your turtle. Never press on a turtle.
- If you don’t provide a place for your turtle to sunbathe, the turtle’s shell will quickly rot.
This article was co-written by Audra Barrios. Audra Barrios is a marine biologist and owner of Lick Your Eyeballs, a business that supplies reptiles, supplies and plants. With over 15 years of experience, Audra specializes in reptiles and rare animals, environmental education, marine biology, conservation issues and animal husbandry. Audra holds a bachelor’s degree in marine biology from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and studied natural sciences at the University of Marin. She is the founder and CEO of Things That Creep, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving reptiles and amphibians through education. For the past 6 years she has worked as a biologist at the California Academy of Sciences.
There are 11 references cited in this article that you can view at the bottom of the page.
This article has been viewed 76,283 times.
Some species of tortoises and water turtles can live very long, even outliving humans. If you want to keep this gentle and enjoyable pet, you need to learn how to prepare the right habitat for your turtle to enjoy. You should also learn techniques for feeding, cleaning, and long-term care of water turtles.
In conclusion, raising a water turtle can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience, but it requires careful consideration and dedication. By providing the appropriate habitat, diet, and attention to their health and well-being, you can ensure that your water turtle thrives in its environment. Remember to choose the right species of turtle for your lifestyle and available resources, and always do thorough research before bringing one into your care. By following the guidelines mentioned in this article and consulting with experts or experienced turtle owners, you can create a comfortable, safe, and healthy home for your water turtle, allowing it to live a long and happy life under your care.
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