How To Take Care Of A Turtle

In the presence of cats and dogs, is it immensely difficult to stifle an achoo? That doesn’t mean you can’t have pets. Perhaps, your allergy to fur could be your cue to owning a cute and petite turtle! Besides, turtles aren’t as troublesome to nurse as other pets. Nevertheless, they often succumb to insufficient attention and die in captivity. Hence, we cannot dismiss their existence because they don’t whimper like puppies. By provision of an appropriate dwelling, well-balanced diet and adequate sunlight on a regular basis, your turtle can live for decades!

Some turtles are more comfortable on land (Land turtles or Tortoise) and others thrive on the sensation of weightlessness in water (Sea turtles and Terrapins). As an amphibian, the qualities of a turtle might not agree with the cuddle and snuggle cravings of many children. Turtles tend to pass on salmonella bacteria, which is particularly perilous for children. Even so, introducing a turtle into the family household is a pleasant way to inculcate responsibilities amongst children, apart from spreading joy in and around your home. Scroll down to learn the most reliable ways to keep your turtle happy and healthy.

Pet Turtle Care

Instructions

Habitat
If indoors, a heated aquarium is ideal. Ensure that the water temperature is within the 75 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit range. Make your turtle feel more at home by decorating its habitat with stones, wood chunks (avoid small pieces as the turtles may swallow them) and non-poisonous vegetation. For aquatic turtles like red eared sliders, deep water aquariums and basking zones in the form of big stones protruding over the water surface are essential. Turtles love to live under the sun and need 12 hours of sunlight. A proper UV lamp will enable production of the vitamin D that they require to be in good shape. A wading pool is an ideal turtle shelter during warm weather.

Grub
A turtle’s diet extends from raw meat and worms to bananas. Alternatively, food sticks and similar reptile munchies can be bought from a pet store. Their food preferences vary depending on whether they are herbivorous, carnivorous or omnivorous. Turtles usually feed only when the food is put directly into the water. Normal turtles must be fed at least three times a week while a baby turtle entails daily feeding. Note that certain turtles opt to starve for a few consecutive days; hence an owner must keep vigil for slackened physical activity and rush to a vet.

Care & Hygiene
Clean your turtle's tank regularly. Let the turtle scamper around in a bucket or smaller tank as you thoroughly wash the tank with a scrub brush to eliminate traces of any slime. Toss in ¼ cup of salt to every 5 gallons of water to restrict fungus growth. Removing food that serves no interest to the turtle controls bacterial growth. Look out for white spots on the turtle’s shell or limbs, triggered by fungal infection or puffy eyes and soft shells indicating malnutrition. If you stumble on these symptoms, locate a veterinarian for immediate treatment.

Spring Water
The turtle’s water must by no means contain chlorine; hence avoid tap or any chlorinated water. The chlorine and fluoride present in the tap water negatively affects the turtle’s pH balance. Use natural spring water for its drinking water and de-chlorinated water for its wading water. You can remove the chlorine from water by letting it sit for 24 hours before putting it in the tank.

Hibernation
Turtles that do not hibernate are more likely to develop liver diseases. If you intend on replicating a turtle’s natural environment as authentically as you can, chances of it hibernating in the fall shoot up. Since their natural cycles are rolling in full throttle, turtle breeding is possible. However, you should be prepared to be separated from your turtle until spring. Hinder kids from digging them out and interrupting their slumbers as this can lead to fatal consequences. Hibernation isn’t conducive for indoor habitats.