Pet Turtle Care

Those of you who are pet lovers, but do not want to bring home the regular pets, bringing home a pet turtle is a great choice for you. It is not difficult to take care of turtles as pets, that is if you have the right knowledge of doing so. In any case, caring for any kind of pet requires some basic knowledge. Here, we tell you how to care for your pet turtle, and how by taking the right measures, you have a turtle that lasts you for its entire life span!

Choosing the Right Turtle

Before you get yourself turtles as pets, you should know one of the very important pet turtle facts. Pet turtles are prone to developing a salmonella infection, that can spread easily among those who have a weak immune system, children and adults. In any case, you should be careful when dealing with turtles, and wash your hands every time, after you touch them. Though it is advisable to not to have turtles as pets for children, a lot of kids have had them as pets without trouble. Apart from this basic important fact, there are certain important guidelines in choosing turtles without any health problems. These guidelines have been enlisted here.

• There are different turtle breeds with varying temperaments. While some are mild, others may be aggressive. If you are a novice with turtles as pets, choose a turtle that has a mild temperament, after speaking to your breeder. The most popular in this category are the red eared slider turtles.
• In some cases, breeders tend to mix turtle species, which can lead to certain abnormalities and defects. Ensure that you clarify, that the turtle you are buying is not a mixed breed.
• The pet turtle you choose should have clear eyes and a clear nose. The eyes should not be milky or show signs of any discharge. Similarly, the nose should be clear without any salt deposits or discharge. If their breath is not smooth and it seems like they are gasping for air, or if you can hear rattling sounds while they are breathing, it is likely that they are suffering from a respiratory condition.
• The area around the mouth of the turtle should be clear. If you notice any yellow or grayish pink patches, chances are it is an unhealthy species.
• Healthy turtles should have shells that are hard (not spongy or soft), without any cracks, patches or holes.
• Turtles are also prone to intestinal infections, which can be checked for by turning them over and looking out for any fecal residue that is giving out a bad odor. This is the sign of a parasitic infection.

You may choose from the different breeds of aquatic pet turtles or land pet turtles. Depending on the amount of care required and the amount of time you can spend caring for the turtle, the breeder will be able to advise you on the best species to choose from. The care requirements for both are more or less the same. After you have chosen a healthy pet turtle for yourself, take a look at all that goes into the care for pet turtles.

Taking Care of Your Pet Turtle

As mentioned earlier, there are different types of pet turtles but the methods of caring for them are similar. For the specifics it is ideal to speak to the breeder you are purchasing the turtle from, to ensure that you fulfill the requirements of the particular species you have chosen.

Housing: Survival in the natural habitat is something that comes naturally to turtles. However, when they are taken care of as pets, it is essential to provide to them all that nature does and recreate a pet turtle habitat. Ideally a tank that can accommodate about 40 gallons of water is suitable for a pet turtle. The water should be deep enough to allow them to swim, but shallow enough for them to come out of it sometimes. Turtles require regular exposure to sunlight for their health, and if you are unable to provide this, you must direct a lamp with UV rays that they are exposed to for some time during the day. They also need to get out of the water sometimes and bask. As such, provide partially submerged rocks in the tank that will allow them to come out of the water, along with the exposure to the UV light. Since UV lamps can consume a lot of energy, get one with a timer so that it is lit for a specific time period. Fresh water is essential in keeping them healthy. If you are using tap water for the tank, allow it to sit for 24 hours before you use it. This is a natural dechlorination process, and is healthy for the turtles. Change the water regularly and provide a filtration unit that will maintain the daily cleanliness of the water. The temperature of the water should be around 80ºF during the day, and 70ºF at night. Provide an area in the tank that is dark, as turtles like to spend time in such areas once in a while. Also provide sand or a little gravel that they can burrow.

Feeding: Always feed your turtle outside the tank. Put them in another tub to feed them. They are very messy while eating, and if you feed them in the tank, you will have to clean it more often. Plus, they defecate in the tank so you don't want them to consume such contaminated food. If you have a pair of pet turtles, it is likely that only one of them gets all the food, while the other goes hungry. In both cases, it is unhealthy. If possible, feed the turtles separately. Turtle pellets are available for feeding, but are not enough to provide the nutrition turtles need. Every once in a while provide them with raw leafy greens (particularly lettuce), or a piece of meat. You may also put some live feeder fish in the tank, that is suitable for the turtle to catch and consume. Feeder goldfish are a popular choice among pet turtle owners. Pet turtle food should never include leftovers or table scraps. They require good amounts of Vitamin D3 that is essential for the health of their shell. As such, along with the UV light, the food should also provide this essential nutrient. Carnivorous turtles may also be fed foods such as shrimp, crickets and other bugs once in a while. The drinking water should be separate from the tank water, and turtles should be provided easy access to it. Else they will start surviving on the contaminated tank water and fall sick.

Activity: As slow as they are, pet turtles require some kind of physical activity. Placing feeder fish in the tank will allow them to chase these fish, which will give them the required daily activity.

Personal Care and Attention: Whether it is any of the pet turtle species, or other pets, the owner must be tuned to the needs of the pet. Spending time with it, and observing it's behavior to notice any changes that may be signs of a health problem is extremely essential. It is not difficult to take care of pet turtles. However, it is important that you give your attention to them to ensure that the process is easy, and that you have a good time with them.

With all said and done, these basics of pet turtle care may be helpful, but it is essential that you speak to your breeder before you bring home a turtle. The requirements for different breeds may vary. The turtle life cycle ranges between 30-50 years, and having them survive for so long is possible only if you take good care of them.