Pet turtle care
Keeping a pet turtle has come a long way from the old plastic palm tree setups. From the common box turtle to the less common Ornate Wood Turtle to the extremely rare albino softshell, there is a turtle for every lifestyle, budget, and personality. Turtles are fascinating and peaceful pets, but their penchant for longevity means you should be prepared to devote up to thirty to forty years of care and attention to your new reptilian friend. If you’re ready to share your heart and home with one of nature’s oldest and most mysterious creatures, read on for some great pet turtle care tips.
The type of care your tortoise will require depends, for the most part, on the type of tortoise you plan to receive. While you will surely want to learn as much as you can about the specific breed of turtle that you select, there are some basic rules that apply to caring for turtles as pets, and these rules are different for the two main categories of turtles: water turtles and terrestrial. turtles To ensure the long life and happiness of your turtle, you must live to provide a comfortable and homely environment. For water turtles (such as sliders, coots, and map turtles), this means providing at least 20 gallons of space in the tank with a small “island” for basking in the sun, a heat lamp to simulate sunlight, and a light UVB to help the turtle absorb. maximum nutrients from your food. Water turtles are graceful and fast swimmers, so the more room to swim they have, the better! Land turtles (like box turtles) require plenty of room to roam with hollow logs or pots to hide in, natural vegetation, a basking area with a heat lamp, and a shallow dish of water to soak. Many people choose to keep their tortoises outside in specially designed pens. This allows the turtles not only to enjoy the outdoors, but also to hibernate in the winter as they would in the wild.
While the housing needs of tortoises and water turtles differ dramatically, their diets are quite similar. As you learn to care for a pet tortoise, you will discover that tortoises, like most people, are omnivorous. This means that you will probably add a few foods to your list! There are several varieties of pre-made “turtle food” available at pet stores, but it is best to use these products sparingly and offer your turtle a wide variety of foods. Most land and water turtles will happily eat crickets, earthworms, and snails. Water turtles love to chase feeder fish like minnows and goldfish around their tank and many also eat cooked chicken, shrimp, and tuna. Turtles also enjoy a nice salad or fruit plate from time to time. They especially like romaine lettuces (never feed them iceberg or spinach), dandelion greens, carrots, cantaloupe, strawberries, blackberries, tomatoes, and apples. Who knows! Having a turtle could help you on your way to healthier eating habits (although we probably can’t say the same for exercise).
While you may not feel like an expert in pet turtle care right now, hopefully you will have many happy years to become one! Caring for a turtle as a pet can be a unique and rewarding experience in a pet sitting culture dominated by dog and cat owners. While a turtle may not greet you at the door or snuggle purring at your feet, it provides a lower-maintenance option for busy people who don’t have time for a dog or cat. At the end of a long, hard day, a turtle’s smooth, peaceful, and stress-free personality is sure to be a reassuring influence and an inspiring haven in a speed-driven society. Take time to relax, chew on a piece of fruit, and enjoy time well spent in the company of your new turtle!