pet turtle care

Keeping a pet turtle has come a long way since the old plastic palm trees. 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. Tortoises 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 reptile friend. If you’re ready to share your heart and home with one of nature’s oldest and most mysterious creatures, then read on for some great pet tortoise care tips.

The type of care your turtle will require depends, for the most part, on the type of turtle you plan to get. While you’ll certainly want to learn as much as you can about the specific breed of tortoise you select, there are some basic rules that apply to the care of pet tortoises, and these rules are different for the two main categories of tortoises: tortoises and tortoises. tortoises To ensure the long life and happiness of your tortoise, you should strive to provide it with a comfortable, home-like environment. For aquatic turtles (like terrapins, coots, and map turtles) this means providing at least 20 gallons of tank space complete with a small basking “island,” a heat lamp to simulate sunlight, and a UVB light to help the turtle absorb maximum nutrients from its food. Terrapins are graceful and fast swimmers, so the more room they have to swim, the better! Tortoises (such as box turtles) require plenty of room to roam with hollow logs or flower pots to hide in, natural vegetation, a basking area with a heat lamp, and a shallow dish of water to soak in. Many people choose to keep their tortoises outside in specially designed pens. This allows the tortoises to not only enjoy the outdoors, but also hibernate in the winter just as they would in the wild.

While the housing needs of tortoises and tortoises differ drastically, their diets are quite similar. As you learn how to care for a pet turtle, you’ll discover that turtles, like most people, are omnivores. This means that you will probably add some foods to your list! There are several varieties of pre-made “turtle food” available at pet stores, but it’s best to use these products sparingly and offer your turtle a wide range of foods. Most terrestrial and aquatic turtles will happily devour crickets, earthworms, and snails. Terrapins love to chase feeding fish like minnows and goldfish around their tank and many will also eat cooked chicken, shrimp and tuna. Never feed your turtle hamburger meat as it is too high in fat for it to digest properly. Turtles also enjoy a nice salad or fruit bowl from time to time. They especially like romaine lettuce (never feed iceberg or spinach), dandelion greens, carrots, cantaloupe, strawberries, blackberries, tomatoes, and apples. Who knows! Owning 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 tortoise care right now, hopefully you’ll have many happy years to become one! Caring for a pet turtle can be a unique and rewarding experience in a pet care culture dominated by dog ​​and cat owners. While a tortoise may not greet you at the door or curl up purring at your feet, it does provide 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 tortoise’s friendly, peaceful, and easy-going personality is sure to be a calming influence and inspiring haven in a speed-driven society. Take some time to relax, eat some fruit and enjoy time in the company of your new turtle!