Water Turtle Care

Turtles are one of the most fascinating of animals which can be kept as pets. However, many a time people forget to take good care of these little creatures, thereby endangering them. Unlike other pets, turtles do not require much care and maintenance, but this is exactly what many people ignore. If water turtles are well cared for especially their living arrangements and diets, they can live for several decades. While thinking of pet water turtle, you need to first ensure that you have their living quarters in the proper order. Here we give you a care sheet which you should follow so that your pets can live a healthy life and entertain you for decades. Try choosing a turtle species which can easily adapt to the climatic conditions which you live in as it would be easier to rear them.

Looking after your Water Turtle

Living Conditions
The first thing you should remember while thinking of water turtle care is creating a natural living condition for them and providing them with enough living room. Depending on the size, number and species, you can choose the kind of housing to provide. A medium-sized aquarium would be great for a couple of small turtles. If you want to breed larger turtles, you would need a larger aquarium of about 50 gallons or may be a pond.

To provide a natural habitat for your pets it's recommended that you house them in such a place where they would have access to insects, fresh air and sunlight. A shade cover and water filter should also be introduced so as to clean the water and provide relief from extreme sunlight. A non-abrasive and non-toxic bottom covering should be used at the bottom (of course, if you choose to use a bottom covering). Turtles would relish similar temperature from where they were brought, so try to provide that. Moreover, you must provide a dry place so that the turtle can climb on it and bask in the sunlight.

Ideal Temperature
Whether you are breeding temperate or tropical turtles, you can breed them in similar living conditions, but the ideal temperature conditions vary. The tropical turtles are not able to hibernate but the temperate turtles can. As the atmospheric temperature drops, turtles stop eating and become sluggish. The ideal temperature for both these varieties is around 70 to 80 °F. Room temperature is usually ideal for most species, but if you have brought a tropical species, you may need to provide a heat source. Sunlight is an essential component for the healthy growth of turtles, and so they should be housed outside as far as possible. You should make arrangements so that it can bask under sunlight for at least two to three hours every day.

Food
Depending on the species you want to breed, the kind of food you would have to give varies. Depending on the species, aquatic turtles can be omnivorous, herbivorous or carnivorous. So, it's essential for you to research the kind of food they like and feed accordingly. Usually turtles should be fed a diet of ¼ portion vegetables and ¾ portion meat. You can try out whole or chopped fish, Purina Trout Chow, shrimp, insects, earthworms, kidney, heart, liver, dried beef, dry dog food, which has been softened by soaking in water and canned dog food.

Vegetables like Chinese cabbage, broccoli leaves, mustard green, spinach, romaine lettuce, endive and aquarium greens complement well with the above-mentioned meats. Before you provide the foods, make sure that you chop them to such a size that it can be easily swallowed. Make sure that you include foods rich in calcium and phosphorous as they help in the proper growth of their shells. Vitamins, especially, vitamin A must be added to their food as their body can store only small amounts.

Always consult a veterinary specialist to know more about water turtle care. Make sure you take good care of them as you do for other pets so that they can have a long healthy life.