Turtles Are Interesting Pets
In natural habitats, turtles are found in and around water, which is exactly how they'll live in your house. They also need a large tank with a lid and dry land to bask and dry out on, but mostly the key to turtles as pets is the water. Pet turtles ideally will be kept in a 40 gallon tank with a lid. The typical turtle will grow to between 5 and 11 inches. They can live as long as 20 to 40 years, so getting a turtle is a long term obligation.
Feeding Your Turtle
Turtles eat a combination of plants and insects such as crickets and worms. Usually this consists of turtle pellets, worms, and green vegetables. As a treat turtles benefit from fruit like a piece of organge. Nutritional supplements are also needed such as viatmin D and calcium. Most turtle breeds will refuse to eat unless they are in the water. The difficulty is that they’re sloppy eaters, causing a pet owner to either frequently change the water or feed the turtles in a separate aquarium.
Dry Land and Turtles
Eveyr turtle tank wishes an area for turtles to bask. They allows the turtle to heat the body, which keeps down the levels of bacteria and fungus on the shell. Every luxuriating area ought to have a UVB light. The lights helps make it easier for the turtle to synthesize vitamin D, an element that is urgent for calcium absorption.
Aquariums
As mentioned, a healthy turtle means that there always needs to be fresh water to swim in. The water will have to be changed at least 1x per week or more if polluted with food, urine or feces. A turtle drinks the same water that they swim, eat and urinate in. In terms of basking or land areas, there are a few materials available such as smooth slate or a plastic platform. Turtle cages can be made out of glass, plastic or habitats contained in outdoor ponds.
Salmonella and Turtles
You've probably heard about the risk of salmonella poisoning from turtles. The chance is considered great enough that parents are advised not to allow kids un-monitored visits with turtles. Salmonella can also be spread by permitting a turtle to walk on a carpet or table. When kids touch the area contaminated by turtles they can contract the illness. When buying a turtle be sure to learn the best way to maintain a hygienic family environment.
Cathy Doggins is the publisher of hundreds of articles on cool small pets. When not writing about pet turtles, Cathy can be seen caring for her 2 Jack Russells, 3 birds, guinea pig and obviously pet turtles. Cathy is a frequent speaker on pet care, and a volunteer at her local shelter.
