How to Care for Your Pet Turtles

When a family decides to add a new dog or a cat to the family, they often do research before they decide on their purchase. Our furry companions can cost plenty with toys, food, shots, etc. Deciding to buy pet turtles may not run into as much money, but lots of them die sooner than need be because they haven't received the proper care. Pet turtles can live for decades if their needs are met. You can insure that your pet turtles receive the best of care if you know a little bit about what they require in order to live a long and healthy life.

Living Arrangements for Pet Turtles

Turtles need to have access to shade as well as sunlight. If they are to be kept indoors it is recommended you get them a basking lamp. Be sure your pet turtles have plenty of room to roam as well as the proper food, moisture and fresh water.

Some owners set up a habitat outdoors in order to mimic their natural living conditions. This will allow your pet turtles to hibernate in the fall. If you have children, be sure they don't disturb the turtles. It is thought that this type of set up is ideal because turtles that don't hibernate may come down with various liver diseases. If you do decide to keep your pet turtles outdoors, because of hibernation, you won't see them again until spring when they wake up from their winter slumber.

Feeding and Watering Your Pet Turtles

The water you use for your pet turtles is important. Avoid using water from the tap as it may contain fluoride and chlorine if you don't have well water. Buy your turtles spring water for drinking and swimming. If you prefer, you can de-chlorinate their swimming water by leaving it out for at least 24 hrs. before using. Some people believe that using water that is chlorinated will help to avoid dangerous bacteria from forming. It is up to you to do the research and decide what is best.

Keeping your pet turtles healthy requires the proper diet. Table scraps are not recommended but a diet specifically for turtles is. Food for your turtles may be costly as they are considered "exotic pets." Many pet stores often don't carry many kinds of turtle food. Food sticks designed for turtles are the recommended diet for them. Tetra carries an excellent brand of floating food sticks.

Because they are so costly, you may want to mix in meat morsels and other types of fish food. Pet turtles will also appreciate some fruits and vegetables as well. Pet turtles are messy eaters and you are well advised to keep their swimming and drinking water free of waste. Keep a close eye on their diet if you have two or more turtles to be sure everyone is getting the proper nutrition.

Owning pet turtles can be great for every member of the family. The adults will enjoy learning and teaching their children the facts about pet turtles and the youngsters will learn to be responsible for the care of another living thing. They are quiet compared to other types of pets and won't chew slippers or furniture like our furry friends.

Pet Turtle Care Tip #1

Turtles are members of the Reptile family and they are some of the oldest living creatures on the planet. They have been around for more than two hundred million years. This makes them as old as the dinosaurs. There are hundreds of different kinds of turtles all over the planet.

Pet Turtle Care Tip #2

Sea turtles are the most popular of all of the turtles. These are also some of the largest creatures—some sea turtles can grow to more than six feet in length and weigh hundreds of pounds. Scientists think that sea turtles are actually land creatures that went back into the water and never came out. Over time their limbs evolved to make them stronger swimmers and to keep them in the water: their front appendages are actually flippers.

Pet Turtle Care Tip #3

All turtles, even sea turtles, are air breathing creatures. While some turtles can stay under the water for hours at a time, they all must surface at least once a day to stay alive. There is one turtle, the giant turtle that only has to surface once a day to take in air. There are some studies being done to see if some species of turtle might be able to draw oxygen from their cells much like some fish use their gills to breathe.

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