turtle care tips

If you notice any of these, call your veterinarian specializing in reptile care. After thoroughly rinsing the tank and accessories, put the habitat back together and refill it with water. Approved. Here are a few tips for keeping the Eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina) alive and well in captivity, including care of the hatchlings. Yes! What temperature should a turtle tank be? He might have a disease. Some good advice on feeding is detailed in this article under Part 4. A very strong filtration system needs to be used and water changed regularly,” Colby said. You need not be a specialist on turtle care for this purpose. ", Turtle Care 101: How to Take Care of Pet Turtles. Feed your turtle a mix of turtle food, fresh vegetables, like carrots, lettuce, and invertebrates, like minnows or grasshoppers. Hang a heat bulb over the dry side of the habitat if tank temperature dips below 70 F … wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Nope! Specific requirements vary by species, so ask the breeder or pet store about exact care instructions for your turtle. Keep in mind your pet's exact space requirements depend on its species. ", "wikiHow is very knowledgeable and can be used daily! [1] X Expert Source Audra Barrios Marine Biologist & Reptile Specialist Expert Interview. For turtle lovers, the good news is that salmonella can be prevented. Since they can live for decades, be sure you're ready to make a long-term commitment before purchasing a turtle. Generally, health problems in these animals arise when owners don’t feed them properly, or if they don’t clean the terrarium regularly or maintain clean water, or if they aren't offering their pet the right temperature, Colby said. “Vitamin A and calcium deficiencies are very common in captive reptiles,” Ogle said. It is a beautiful experience too. Specific care instructions depend on your turtle's species, so check with the breeder or pet store for your pet's exact requirements. Turtles carry salmonella, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea. Some turtles walk up to your hand to show they trust you; others swim around your hand as a sign of affection and trust. Aquatic turtles cannot eat unless the food is in the water. Suppose you buy your 4 in (10 cm) juvenile turtle a 40 US gal (150 L) tank. Unlike its counterparts in the reptile and amphibian world the turtle comes with a … Add Comment. This article was co-authored by Audra Barrios. Pick another answer! Thanks. ", "This is a very informative article! Great reading, thanks. A heat lamp should be next on your list of things to purchase for caring for a turtle. Unlike other pets you might have, turtles don’t need to be fed every day. If something is going to go wrong after you get a turtle or tortoise, it’ll be here. As with all pets, they come with their own set of care needs. Feed your turtle lots of fruits, vegetables, and some live insects and worms. In the beginning, handle it only for short amounts of time while it grows used to you. To keep your turtle warm, transfer the heat lamp to the backup tank when it's in use. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 809,176 times. Out of all of the reptiles you can purchase the turtle may be one of the most fascinating. To care for a turtle, make sure its tank is at least 10 gallons of space for every 1 inch of shell length. Thanks. Here are some tips and guidelines on how to take care of a baby turtle … Find a chlorine test kit online, at a pet supply store, or at a home improvement store. True or false: Handling your turtle can give you salmonella. This article received 19 testimonials and 86% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. They may bec… ", "Great information for beginners and turtle lovers. “These animals require water and land with ample room to explore. The Common Musk Turtle, also known as the Eastern Musk Turtle or the Stinkpot, is a popular choice as a pet because of their size and relative ease of care. For example, red eared sliders need their tank to be around 26-29C (79-84F), and around 32C (90F) for the basking area. Turtles need lots of calcium to keep their bony shells strong. turtle wax: dedicated to the drive At Turtle Wax, we’re a dedicated team of auto enthusiasts that live and breathe Turtle Wax® & auto culture. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Paul Van Der Schouw, With its striking golden stripes and rich emerald-and-mahogany carapace, the golden thread turtle (Ocadia sinensis), also called the Chinese stripe-necked turtle, is one of eastern Asia’s most beautiful aquatic turtle … “The tortoises are easier.”. Since yellow turtles … Read on for another quiz question. "Now I know the turtle needs to climb out sometimes to bask and dry up. 18 August 2020. “Clean water is the success to keeping your turtle healthy and happy,” he said. A good rule of thumb is that the water should be about an inch deeper than the width of its shell. Just make sure your turtle has some room to crawl around. Turtles spend most of the time in the water, while tortoises live on the land. Housing: a turtle terrarium of at least 60cm in length Heating: basking temperature of 100 o F and intense UVB Water Maintenance:temperature of 80 o F and a strong filter … ", "Learned a lot for a new turtle mama (5 hatching today!). The water contains beneficial bacteria; whenever possible, avoid changing it entirely. UV light provides your turtle with vitamin D, which helps it absorb calcium. Luckily this plant looks fab hanging from the ceiling in a planter, so that should keep it out of reach of most plants. If you purchase your turtle as a baby, expect to offer it plenty of TLC and keep the following tips in mind: Make sure your terrarium’s water and air temperature is about 86 degrees Fahrenheit and that your baby turtle has access to both land and water. Be sure to line the bottom of the tank with peat moss or soil, and include a basking rock so your turtle can sun itself. Are you considering having the red-eared slider turtle? How to Take Care of a Turtle: Tips for New Owners . She is the founder and Executive Director of Things That Creep, a non-profit dedicated to herptile conservation through education. Be sure to wash your hands and sanitize the sink or tub with bleach after washing the tank. Male turtles are smaller in size. You can get a calcium supplement and “dust” their food with it twice a year. For tips on keeping your turtle healthy and happy, keep reading! Your turtle could eat the small rocks and choke. The bigger the enclosure, the better,” said Brian Ogle, a science instructor who specializes in animal behavior and pet ownership at Beacon College in Leesburg, Florida. She is the founder and Executive Director of Things That Creep, a non-profit dedicated to herptile conservation through education. Try experimenting with different veggies to see what he/she likes. Thanks, God bless you! Maintaining your turtle’s environment is very important to stay on top of. If it weren't for this, my turtle would be dead. Make sure the water isn't too deep. You’ll also want to add calcium to your turtle's diet. Top 5 turtle care tips. How much water should you add to the tank for a box turtle? Feed your red-eared turtle the right food. Finally, be sure to look for any physically signs of illness, including swollen eyes, discoloring on the shell and avoiding food. Turtles … Box turtles … UV lamps need to be replaced every 6 months to a year. You need to have the desire and a love for animals. With over 15 years of experience, Audra specializes in reptiles and exotic animals, environmental education, marine biology, conservation issues, and animal husbandry. Turtles are interesting and just wonderful pets to have around the house. Wet Cat Food vs. Dry Cat Food: Which Is Better? Remember to set up a reptile light near the basking rock, and install a filter to keep the water clear. However, box turtles should have a bowl specifically for their food in the tank. Here are five tips that can, regardless of its type, help you provide your pet with the best care … Common indications of illness include red skin, soft skin/shell, flaky skin/shell, or white spots on the skin or shell. Marine Biologist & Reptile Specialist. The breeders take care … String of Turtles Care . Swap up what you feed your turtle to keep its meals interesting. Box turtles aren't considered suitable pets for young children or for new pet owners. Turtles are opportunistic eaters, and they're prone to overeating if they have an unlimited supply of food. Avoid lining the bottom of the tank with gravel. This article has been viewed 809,176 times. To help you care for your turtle I have put together some turtle care sheets (water turtle or land turtle). Do your research to determine exactly what temperature your type of turtle will need, as just guessing at what seems like a good temperature can create health problems. However, they require proper turtle care and attention to live a long, happy life, so you’ll need to have a good pet turtle … Everything You Need To Know About Raising Pet Turtles. ", this article's advice, I'm convinced it is very happy now. You can also buy your pet canned or pelleted turtle food and freeze-dried mealworms. This should be taken care of before you even bring your new friend home. Audra earned a BASc in Marine Biology from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and studied Natural Sciences at the College of Marin. House your turtle in the largest possible enclosure. If ammonia, nitrate, or nitrate levels are high, change the water and consider upgrading your filter. Search online for an experienced local vet, or ask the breeder or pet store for referral. To keep your pet happy and healthy, provide proper housing, nutrition, and good hygiene. The first thing you should worry about is building an enclosure for your turtle. “[Buy a turtle] because you absolutely love turtles. References Keep in mind the water in the tank will need to be deeper if you have an aquatic turtle. You could feed it store-bought food 1 to 2 times a week and homemade meals another 1 to 2 times per week. Try again! If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. It depends on the type of turtle you have, of course, but turtles will generally eat insects, fish (like comet goldfish, which are smaller than the common goldfish) and dark, leafy greens. Box turtles, along with aquatic turtles, have specific depths of water that they prefer over others. It depends on turtle species. Warning! Feed your baby turtle every day up to two times per day. A musk turtle can lay around one to nine eggs at once, which takes 60 to 80 days to hatch. The most common disease turtles carry is salmonella, which is significant as it can be transmitted to humans and cause serious disease, especially in the immunocompromised. All of these conditions require veterinary care.”. You should set the UV lamp approximately 12 inches away from where your turtle will be. If your tap water's chlorine level is above 0, fill the tank with bottled water or purchase a. Red Eared slider Turtle Habitat, Diet and Care Tips. May 15, 2020. Choosing A Turtle. Audra Barrios. "Thanks for this article, as it helped me to complete my English project on taking care of animals. As a rule of thumb, the enclosure's volume should be 10 US gal (38 L) per 1 in (2.5 cm) of your turtle's shell length. If you have a juvenile turtle, be sure to find out how large it'll be when it's an adult. The vet will provide you with the care your turtle needs. All claws are equal in length for female turtles. If the pH is off, amend the water with a store-bought agent, which you can find at the pet supply store. I’ve also included a section on turtle … ", "This article is very informational, and will really benefit me on my turtle purchase! Turtles carry salmonella, and handling the turtle or cleaning its droppings can pass the virus on to you. Learn how to make DELISH homemade sushi today! If your reptile lamp uses an incandescent bulb, you'll also need to buy a UVA/UVB fluorescent lamp. Get a hiding box at the pet supply store and place it in the basking area. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/1c\/Care-for-Turtles-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Care-for-Turtles-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/1c\/Care-for-Turtles-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/aid1334263-v4-728px-Care-for-Turtles-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"