Terrapins and Turtles – What is the Difference?
You may have heard of terrapins, but you may not be exactly sure of what they are and how they differ from your basic pet turtles. Terrapins are a kind of aquatic turtle that live in brackish or fresh water. They typically have smaller and lighter shells than most land based turtles do and, similar to sea turtles, have webbed feet. The similarities between terrapins and sea turtles is merely superficial, however, and they belong to different turtle families.
Of course, sometimes there is no difference between terrapins and turtles as it is merely a matter of semantics depending on where you are in the world. In the United Kingdom, terrapin refers to all kinds of turtles commonly kept as pets, while turtle normally means the sea or oceanic turtle that is not kept as a pet. There are a lot of different turtle breeds kept as pets but most typically have a life expectancy of about fifty years.
Some kinds of land based turtles (such as the box turtle, or tortoise) do not require very complicated habitats as merely a safe, outdoor enclosure can be enough. Other turtles or terrapins however require both a dry environment and a wet environment. Most turtles, land based and water based, require a similar diet which consists of fresh leafy greens and vegetables. They both also need a constant supply of fresh water that should be supplied in a shallow bowl to make it easier for them to access and drink.
Keeping a turtle or terrapin as a pet means a lifelong commitment from the owner. Their average life expectancy should be a major consideration when you’re thinking about getting a turtle pet. It is also a good idea to make sure that there is a local vet in town that is skilled to work on turtles, as not all vets are comfortable with working on turtles. You need to watch for certain illnesses and diseases that turtles and terrapins are prone to develop and this requires you to carefully observe any changes in their behavior and inspect them, especially their shells for any abnormalities or differences that occur.
Caring for turtles can be extremely rewarding and fun. If you are looking for a peaceful and serene animal to have as a pet, you should definitely consider a turtle or terrapin. Most owners are ultimately very glad to have made that decision and, as long as you are willing to commit to them and care for them, you can enjoy a long and happy life with your pet turtle or terrapin.
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.