Terrapin Pet
People often mix the two up, but turtles and terrapins are not one and the same. Turtles, for example, live in either fresh water or in oceans, whereas terrapins live in brackish water. The difference between the two is not well-known, however. The red eared slider turtle care is likewise different from that of a terrapin.
If you’ve been thinking about buying a pet turtle or a pet terrapin — either for yourself or your family — but are uncertain about what really is involved in owning one, here is some basic information you need to keep in mind when making the decision.
Turtles and terrapins make superb pets because they’re very enjoyable to observe, don’t require much training and live for a long time. However, the very fact that they have a longer life expectancy than other pets means that you’ll need to commit to caring for them long-term.
How do you look after turtles and terrapins? First, you will need to set up both wet and dry habitats, and to keep your pet healthy and strong, you will have to look after a suitable temperature in their environment. It is important to keep the water clean, frequently-changed in a shallow container. You also have to make certain that your pet can easily get in and out of the water by having some kind “island” for your pet to climb over with. Here’s another important thing that most amatuer pet owner don’t pay attention to that you need to know: turtles and terrapins need lots of food—and it must be fresh all the time. It is equally important to be aware of the subtle differences between the male and female species because, believe it or not, the two genders require different kinds of care.
Another thing that surprises many people is that turtles and terrapin require more tender loving care than you’d think. For example, if you have to be out of town for a few days, make certain that a family member of a friend looks after your pet during that period. You should also regularly inspect your turtle to detect early signs of illness; failing health will frequently be manifested by slight deformations in its shell.
Turtles and terrapins make wonderful pets, but if you do decide to take one on, be sure to have a clear idea beforehand of the care required to keep it actively healthy and always happy. Your “green friend” depends on you.
Types of Pet Turtles
Deciding what is the right pet turtle for you is the first step. The responsibilities of owning a pet are more intense than many people initially believe. If you have never owned a pet before, a turtle could be a great option for you! They are fascinating creatures that are very different from mammals. This means you need to know specifically how to care for a turtle as opposed to a dog or cat. Here are a few common types of pet turtles that are some of the most popular kinds owned as pets.
Box turtles are pets that are owned by reptile lovers all over the world. Their natural habitat is mossy and damp, and if you own this kind of turtle, it is important for you to mimic this environment in their new living area. Buying a baby box turtle may be the wisest choice because this kind of animal can be territorial and fond of its home. If you rear a baby to love their home with you, you will not have a problem. If you acquire an adult turtle that is used to calling somewhere else home, you may find it is more difficult for him to acclimate to his new home. Those who live in the country will have the easiest time housing these types of pet turtles because their natural habitat is easiest to mimic there.
Slider turtles are known to make excellent pets, especially with young children. These turtles can grow to be twelve inches long, so a larger tank is required. Their natural habitat is that of swampy lands with mud and a great deal of water. Indoor and outdoor homes are options with sliders, but they need time in the sun every day even if they live mostly inside. These types of pet turtles are omnivores and enjoy eating things from goldfish and worms to lettuce and strawberries.
Painted turtles are the some of the most beautiful types of pet turtles you can own. These turtles have dark skin with red and yellow stripes. Their shells are dark and flatter than the box turtle’s shell. These are very aquatic animals that love spending time in the water. They need between a 20 and 40 gallon tank when they are young and at least 80 gallons when they are full grown to ten inches long. As you debate the differences between types of pet turtles, remember that the most important thing about caring for an animal is time and providing them with a healthy environment.
Red Eared Slider Tank
This is one of the most important aspect on how to make your turtle pet thrive happily. As you consider the possibility of purchasing the exotic red eared slider turtle as a pet, there are a few things you need to be aware of. Sliders are small when you purchase them from the pet store, but they can grow to be a foot in length which means they need a larger tank than the average turtle. This is why they are sold young because pet stores do not have space to accommodate several large turtles. When it comes to a red eared slider tank, critical aspects to be aware of are the size, cleanliness and warmth.
First of all, understand the commitment that comes with owning a slider. They live for a long time, up to 30 years with proper care, so if you want a long-term pet, this is the perfect option for you. When selecting a tank size, be aware that red eared sliders require a lot of space, especially because they grow to be so large. For every inch your turtle is long, you should provide at least six gallons of water. The most cost-effective way to go about accommodating your turtle is to purchase the size recommended for an adult at the very beginning. The cost and hassle of upgrading tanks simply is not the best way.
The tank can be equipped with filters to make water replacement a less-often occurrence. Changing the water can be a hassle, so extending the time between each change is a great benefit to you. A mechanical filter is commonly seen in an average fish tank and usually hangs on the back of the tank. Biological filters act like internal sponges. Both are great options and can be used individually or together.
Sliders are exotic animals that require warm temperatures to thrive. A tank should hold water kept at 75 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. To heat the water, a submersed heater is a good piece of equipment. To protect the turtle from harsh exposure to the heat, be sure to equip a heater guard as well. A basking area with a heat lamp is needed so your slider can spend time outside the water. This should be a flat area maintained at a temperature of 90-95 degrees Fahrenheit, provided by a 50-150 watt incandescent light bulb. Allowing your turtle some daily time in natural sunlight will be beneficial to his health as well. With these tips, you can house your slider properly and give him a long, healthy life.
Box Turtle Care
Helping your pet live a long, happy life is your job. With the purchase of any pet come the accompanying new responsibilities. If you want your box turtle to live a long, healthy and happy life, there are some things about box turtle care you need to aware of. As you might expect, it will take a bit of work, but the steps you need to take are essential in creating a comfortable place for your little friend to thrive.
The first important decision you need to make, one you must have decided long before you bring your turtle home, is where he is going to live. If you keep your box turtle outside, try to make the environment closely resemble his natural habitat. There should be plenty of sun, as reptiles need outside heat to keep them warm, but shade too so he does not become overheated. Water that is deep enough for swimming is important for turtles, as are plants and insects to eat. If you decide to create an indoor home, proper box turtle care dictates that a soft cushion of mulch should be placed in a large opaque container. Provide hiding places like a hollow tube or log and an eating area. A pool should be provided that is deep enough for submerged swimming. Box turtles enjoy humid, damp climates so spray the home with a squirt bottle every day.
In your box turtle’s home, keep the temperature between 80 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit with a UV-B lamp. Also, if your turtle lives inside, sun exposure for at least an hour a day is recommended for good box turtle care. While he is spending time outside, take advantage of his absence to change the water. Clean, warm water is desired by box turtles and necessary to promote a healthy immune system.
Food is obviously an essential part of a box turtle’s health. It is your responsibility to provide healthy food for your pet. Foods high in calcium are needed for box turtle care, including boiled and crushed eggshells and cuttlebone, available at your local pet store. Balance your turtle’s diet with half fruits and vegetables and half meat. Mix up his diet by feeding him different things each day. This way, he will not get bored with his food or become addicted to any one food. If you spend the proper amount of time and energy on your box turtle, you will have him around as your friend for a long time to come.
Baby Turtle Care
This is how to make your new baby turtle arrival comfortable. At the youngest stage in life, animals are at their most delicate. They must be handled gently to not be physically damaged or hurt. This means that baby turtle care is the most important part of giving your turtle a great start for a strong future. Overall turtle care is slightly different from that of caring for the babies, so if you currently have an older turtle, simply introducing the new baby into the same tank is not the right thing to do.
Proper baby turtle care requires shallow water in a tank, a little deeper than the turtle’s shell is wide. As with adult turtles, there should also be a basking area that is out of the water. The area should be easily accessible via a gradual ramp coming out of the water. The tank can even be placed at a slight slant so there is a spot with deeper water as well as a prime basking spot. Both the water and the basking area should be kept warm with heaters and lamps. Turtles are cold blooded animals and being warmed from outside sources is important to promote good immune system health. Especially in babies that are weaker, warm temperatures are essential.
In addition to keeping your new turtle warm, clean water is vital to proper baby turtle care. Water should be changed extremely regularly, as often as every day. With the installation of a filter, the frequency can be extended to a few days between changes. Filters can create currents that are too strong for babies to paddle against so watch carefully to see if the filter has an adverse affect on the comfort of your baby turtle. Even if the water looks clear, chemical deposits invisible to the naked eye build up daily and can harm your baby turtle. Regular water replacement is a basic turtle care fact, but it is even more important for babies to have clean, fresh water so they can grow strong and healthy. Each water change should go through a de-chlorination process to limit negative affects chlorine has on aquarium nitrogen cycles.
Baby turtle care dictates that you feed your animal foods rich in vitamin D3 and calcium. D3 can be absorbed through sunlight exposure and from supplements. Calcium is found in foods like boiled and crushed eggshells, crushed oyster shell and cuttlebone. Providing the right size of tank, temperature and foods will allow your baby turtle to thrive and grow into a healthy adult animal.
