If you are thinking about getting a pet turtle, be prepared for their very specific care requirements. Pet turtles are solitary by nature and often live their whole lives without ever encountering another turtle. Turtles generally live around 20 years in captivity, so buying a pet turtle is a huge commitment. Before you bring the new addition to your home, be sure to do your research on their specific care needs.
Turtles, whether domestic or wild, are interesting creatures. However, the ones that come into our homes are even more interesting—they have real personalities as humans do. They respond to different words, tones, and body language, just like people. You can prepare a turtle for a new home, but it is up to you to take loving care of it after you bring it home.
What Kinds of Turtles Make Good Pets?
Whether you have turtles as home pets or as classroom pets, it is important to know what kind of turtles make the best pets. Turtles are cold-blooded animals, and in the wild, they live most of their lives in water and will spend their final years in ponds and streams. They come in a variety of colours and sizes, making turtles a favourite classroom pet.
Here Are the Tips to Take Good Care of Your Turtle
Did you know that some species of turtle can live to be 80 years old? Keeping a turtle can be a great choice for a family-friendly pet, but you need to take precautions to ensure it’s taken care of properly.
Follow these tips to care for your turtle.
- Don’t Feed Turtles Too Much
Turtles need to eat a varied diet, and they can easily become overweight or even obese if fed too much. Aim to feed your turtle 1⁄2 to 1 inch of food each week, which corresponds to the size of a small apple.
- Never Feed Turtles Bread
Turtles need to eat a healthy, balanced diet, but bread isn’t part of that. Bread is fluffy, lacks essential nutrients, and can actually be harmful to turtles.
- Set Up a Tank
Are you planning to get a pet turtle? If so, you will need to educate yourself on how to take care of one, including how to set up a tank. Turtles live underwater, so you will need a tank (or a terrarium) to give them a place to live.
- Monitor Water
Turtles need to be kept warm, so it is important to check their water daily to make sure it is warm enough. Turtles should get their water from a tank that is at least 30 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Clean Tank and Change Water Frequently
Turtles require specialized care, such as a clean tank and changing the water frequently. Turtles are cool because they look prehistoric, but their tank needs to mimic their natural environment. They like warm temperatures, so a turtle tank should be around 77 degrees. A turtle tank should be big enough for the turtle to move around comfortably. They also like plenty of plants in the tank, so place some aquatic plants in the tank so that the turtle can burrow and find a hiding spot.
- Do Not Play with Your Turtle Often
Did you know that there are more than 1,500 turtle species in the world? Turtles are fascinating creatures, displaying a wide range of behaviours and physical features. Some turtles are docile, while others are aggressive and even vicious. It is important to understand what kind of turtle you have and how to keep it happy and healthy.
Caring for a pet turtle is a lot like caring for any other pet. They need love, they need food, and they need shelter. Turtles are semi-aquatic and thus need a habitat that lets them interact comfortably with their environment. Turtles are neat animals, though, so you will want to take every precaution you can to prevent your turtle from getting too dirty or sick. If your turtle is sick, you will need to get him to a vet as soon as possible.
