Pet Turtle Care: How to Keep Your Outdoor Turtle Healthy and Safe

Outdoor Care

Moving a turtle from indoors to outdoors constantly can have a negative effect on your pet. When you choose to make your pet turtle an outdoor turtle you need to commit to it wholeheartedly. A sudden change in temperature as little as ten degrees can shock your pet turtle's system and make them ill. Turtle are very sensitive to sudden changes in their environment and constantly changing their temperature can make them unhealthy and sick.

Housing Outdoor Turtles

You'll be able to gauge an appropriate height based on your turtle's size. Even though turtles can be picky eaters, they can also gnaw on and eat things like wood or other organic materials. Your pen also needs to have a water source in the summertime, preferably enough for the turtle to submerse itself completely. It also needs shade and material for your turtle to burrow.
Hibernation

Most turtles hibernate in the wild in the wintertime. This is a natural and healthy process that has helped turtles evolve and survive for literally hundreds of millions of years. If you have a terrestrial turtle, make sure there is enough ground for them to burrow into. Although some people want to bring the turtle inside in the wintertime, it will survive and thrive if it is in its natural environment if it is healthy.

Pet Turtle Care: Where You Can Diving with Turtle

Green Turtles, Hawksbills, Olive Ridleys and Leatherbacks can be found when diving in the Indo-Pacific region. Other types of turtle are indigenous to specific areas for example the Black Turtle in the Americas and the Flatback in Australian waters.

Luckily for scuba divers, all but the Leatherback are found predominantly in coastal areas. Leatherbacks are highly oceanic and venture into shallower water only for breeding purposes.

Very few other creatures are as symbolic to marine conservation efforts as the sea turtle. The sad fact about turtles is that they are literally in the soup...

Loss of breeding grounds due to beach development is a particular concern given that some beaches which once witnessed thousands of turtles coming ashore to lay their eggs now see but a few. Human development, bright lights, rubbish and activity can all discourage females from nesting.

Discarded flotsam, such as plastic bags, are often mistaken by turtles as jellyfish with deadly consequences. Shrimp nets and other fishing apparatus also account for great numbers of turtles who become entangled and just like we would, run out of air and drown.

Turtle meat and soup is still widely available in many parts of the world, including Bali; and turtle eggs are considered an aphrodisiac in certain cultures. However deaths at the hands of humans are not always accidental. The shells are also highly prized for decorative purposes or to be transformed into items such mundane, functional items as combs and spectacles.

So what protective measures can be taken?

The "Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species" (CITES) controls international trade in endangered and threatened species. Sea turtles are covered under Appendix I of this agreement and receive protection from international trade by all countries that have signed the treaty.

On a local scale the dive resorts on Sipadan Island, for example, have been closed to tourists since January 2005 allowing an island which was previously full of nesting turtles to be given the chance to return to its former status. Scuba divers can however visit Sipadan Island by purchasing day permits. Many also adhere to strict rules regarding external lights at night and guests behaviour in relation to nesting.

Despite these measures, turtle populations are dwindling...

World-wide population numbers for sea turtle species do not exist and all figures you will find are based on estimates of the number of nesting females based on nesting beach monitoring reports and publications at varying times. As such it is difficult to state meaningful worldwide numbers.

However what is clear is that local population numbers all record declining populations across every species and the forecast for the future of the turtles on current rates of killing is bleak.

Do you want to know where you can dive with turtles?

Probably the best place is off Malaysia's coast of Sarah where dive spots such as Sipadan offer great turtle diving opportunities.

My recommendations for the best spots for you to dive with turtles are Sipadan Island, the Maldives, Komodo and the Similan Islands.

The island of Sipadan (and many others around Sabah's eastern coast) is a nesting site for turtles. Scuba divers who slip into the surrounding waters are often excited by their first sighting of a turtle. Resting in ledges and on corals, rising to the surface to breathe, the turtles are everywhere!. The excitement can soon turn to amazement as at some dives spotting 20 to 30 different turtles is not uncommon.

In Thailand, you can see turtles most frequently around the Similan Islands at sites such as Donald Duck Bay, but you may be lucky enough to spot them at just about any of the destinations, throughout the country.

The turtle is also among the sights you can expect when diving in Komodo, in Indonesia although you may find yourself distracted with all the other fantastic marine life here.

Pet Turtle Care: Eighty-Six Percent of Sea Turtles Are on the Brink of Extinction

Pet Turtle Care

According to foreign media reports, in the existing seven kinds of sea turtles, there are six kinds of species on the brink of extinction, which accounted for 86%. Also, there is a trend of further reduction in the number. Scientists have called for a stronger protection of sea turtles as soon as possible.

Sea turtles are the reptiles living in the ocean. There are seven kinds, including hawksbill, the leatherback turtle, green turtle, red turtle, olive ridley, flat back turtles and Kemp's turtles. But over the past century, the other six kinds except flat back turtles, the number had reduced quickly, even to be extinction.

So, what makes the turtles in the brink of extinction? Some professionals said that, there are a lot of factors threatening their survival. For example, human's over fishing, a large of natural enemies damaged the turtle eggs, light pollution effected the directional ability on nesting female sea turtles when they laid their eggs and the coral reefs and other habitat destruction. In addition, the turtle's long life and slow sexual maturation are also the very important factors.

For example, the red turtle takes 12 to 30 years to reach sexual maturity, hawksbill turtles take 30 years, while green turtles require 20-50 years. Such a long time of sexual maturity makes them easily affected by various factors, also the recovery process is very long after plummeted.

Sea turtle is of great significance to human and biosphere. It is not only an important species to maintain the marine ecological balance, but also helpful in monitoring changes in the environment. While we must solve all the factors that made turtles are in the brink of extinction if we want to protect them.

In order to better protect them around the world, some countries invested a large number of money to protect them, mainly for restoration and maintenance of their habitats. These funds can be alleviated some turtles in a certain degree, but the most important thing is to make people fully understand the status of sea turtles and enhance the protection awareness, and also actively refuse a variety of sea turtle products.

Only all the forces together can really play a role in the protection. To protect the turtles is a long-term task, like a relay race. Although in the whole life of a protector, there might be small results. However, in the long run, some protectors make all the forces together through national governments, ecological conservation organizations and fisheries organizations. In this way, the endangered sea turtles will get out of the situation and will be able to once again become prominent. In fact, this is also the human beings to protect themselves.

Pet Turtle Care: Signs and Symptoms of a Box Turtle Eye Infection

Pet Turtle Care

Box turtles are great pets with real character but they are not the easiest turtles to care for in comparison to other turtles who are much easier to look after. Although I must say all turtles need a certain level of maintenance. When taking on the responsibility of caring for a turtle you will inevitably come up against some health issues, one of them might be a turtle eye infection.

If you think your turtle has an eye infection the first thing you should do is look for any other accommodating problems such as your turtle having a runny nose, breathing with their mouth open and wheezing or gasping while taking in breathes of air. If you have spotted any or all of these symptoms then it's very likely that your box turtle has a respiratory infection and will need to see the vet as soon as possible.

If your box turtle has swollen eyes they may be having an allergic reaction to the substrate that you are using in their enclosure. Some turtles are allergic to earthly substrates and will have swelling around the eyes as a result of their allergy towards this sort of bedding. If your using earth or soil based bedding then try replacing the bedding with another and monitoring your turtle for a week or so to see if the swelling goes down. If the swelling continues then you will know that it was not an allergic reaction and your turtles eye problem may have something to do with a lack of vitamin A in their diet.

Vitamin A deficiency can be a cause of swelling in the eyes of box turtles and a way you can treat this is to make sure you are introducing foods that are high in vitamin A as a part of your turtles diet every time you feed them. Foods such as Collard greens, carrots, kale and parsley all contain a good amount of vitamin A and can be added to each meal to help fight against this problem.

Of course if the problem continues then you have no choice but to take your turtle to the vet as soon as possible and it may be a case where in order to cure your box turtle's eye infection the vet will need to give vitamin injections to your box turtle to help them get back to perfect health.

Pet Turtle Care: A Step by Step Instructional Guide

Pet Turtle Care

Owning terrapin turtles as pets can be a very rewarding hobby, but the average owners know next to nothing about them or how to look after them.

They are an excellent choice for a pet because they are generally low maintenance, relaxing creatures, and are ideal for families with young children, because they can be kept in a set area of your home, but be aware they do have a long life span and will require a life long commitment by the potential owner.

If the terrapin turtle is for a child you must take into consideration that they require a consistent maintenance regime and any child must be willing and able to commit to this responsibility.

They take less care than the usual pets such as cats and dogs, but they do have very specific requirements that you must be aware of before you buy to ensure your pet stays healthy and happy.

What is the difference between Terrapins and Turtles?

In the United Kingdom and some of it's territories they are known as terrapins which is given to any kind of small turtle like creature that can be kept as a pet, where a turtle is generally the larger species that lives in the sea and cannot be kept as a pet.

In all other countries they are known generally as Terrapin Turtles or Turtles.

Different Variations of Terrapin Turtles

There are four kinds of terrapin turtles: Terrapins, Turtles, Tortoises and Sea Turtles.

Because terrapin turtles can move and live on both land and water, many people are unsure whether they are reptiles or amphibians

They are actually from the reptile family and belong to a group of reptiles known as the 'Chelonia.group'

The ones that only live in water are known as aquatic and consist of sea turtles and fresh water terrapins. Sea turtles live in the world's oceans and can grow in excess of 6 feet and cannot be kept as pets.

Then you have the semi-aquatic terrapin turtles that live in both land and water.

The terrapin turtles that live only on land are called terrestrial and are known as box turtles in the US and tortoises everywhere else. It is important to remember that box turtles or tortoises cannot swim and will drown if put in deep water.

Other differences in terrapin turtles are in their shell structure, size and their limbs. Sea turtles are the largest of this species and have the hardest shells in the reptile world. Fresh water terrapins on the other hand are much smaller and have softer shells.

How Big will they get when fully grown?

Before you decide what terrapin turtle to get you must also find out how big it will get when fully grown. They can be as small as 6 inches or as large as two feet!

They need different types of habitat!

Creating the right environment for terrapin turtles really depends on a number of factors which needs to be researched well.

Find out how big the breed will get when fully grown, remember they all start out small. You really don't want the expense of buying a new habitat when they grow.

How many will you keep together? The more you have the larger the habitat will have to be.

You then need to decide if you will keep them indoors or outdoors and obtain the correct container to suite. This can vary from pond liners for outdoors to glass or plastic containers when kept indoors.

Whether kept indoors or outdoors the habitat that terrapin turtles live in has to be both wet and dry.

A very important factor that you must be aware of is that the temperature must be conducive for that species to ensure its well-being.

Pet Turtle Care: A Fun and Low Maintenance Buddy

Turtle As a Pet - A Fun and Low Maintenance Buddy

A lot of people have preferred a turtle as a pet. You will see different = varieties and types raised now - from the familiar box to rare turtles such as the albino and soft shelled variety. For different personalities, there is certainly a suitable pet turtle. Turtles can make interesting pets though their long life means that raisers should be ready to take care of them for long.

You can search out a turtle as a pet and then just start to be familiar about practical pet care when you start to care for it already. Basically, the needs of pet depend on the kind of turtle you chose to raise. Of course, you wish to know about the specific variety of turtle that you chose, however there a few tips to know when raising them. Also, it is desirable to know about turtles and turtle species before getting to raise as your pet.

Though they are low maintenance, a turtle as a pet could involve care tips regarding water ones and land ones. To assure your pet's long life, provide a comfy environment for it. Water turtles like map ones and slider ones need to be endowed with at least 20 gallons tank together with an area for basking, UVB light for them to absorb food nutrients and a handy heat lamp to substitute for sunlight.

Sea turtle as a pet swims fast and gracefully, thus it is a must to provide them ample swimming space. Meanwhile, land turtles, such as box turtles, necessitate more space to roam. Plus, provide them with flowerpots and hollow logs for them to hide in, a sunning spot and heat lamp, a water bowl for soaking and some vegetation. Especially-made pens can make pet turtles get pleasure from the outdoors and to lie dormant through chilly weathers.

The care tips mentioned earlier help raise a turtle as a pet and turn a room into an inhabitable space. Turtles are omnivorous. Feed them with pre-prepared turtle foods moderately. You can also feed them other foods fit for their diet. Most sea and land turtles consume snails, earthworms and crickets.

Marine turtles adore goldfishes and minnows. They can also eat prepared tuna, shrimp or chicken. It is really enjoyable to have a turtle as a pet, mainly because they are not choosy with food. So, if you do not have that much time to really take care of an animal as pet, the turtle is one pet that you can get.

Pet Turtle Care: Are Pet Store Turtles a Ripoff

Are Pet Store Turtles a Ripoff

Serious turtle enthusiasts insist that you should never buy a pet store turtle. Then they will proceed to tell you horror stories of pet store turtles that died within months of purchase and looked sickly since day one. These people would recommend that you only consider a pet turtle from a breeder or a turtle farm.

Some of these claims of less than perfect pet stores are absolutely true, but that does not mean you have to go to a breeder to find a good pet. You can find a great pet turtle anywhere as long as you know what you are looking for.

Pet stores are no different than breeders, some are good and some are not so good. Theoretically a breeder would have the very best specimen of turtle with the best health and life expectancy.

Unfortunately, this is only true if it is a good breeder you are dealing with. If the breeder puts in the effort and does what is necessary this would be true. Unfortunately the title breeder alone does not ensure quality pets.

When looking at turtles in the pet store you should go over a small check list of things to look out for. You want a healthy turtle with a strong chance at a long life. Before you decide to purchase a turtle you should insist on looking at every part of its body.

Ask someone to get it for you! Do not reach in and grab it yourself. They hate it when you try to reach in tanks and cages. This is simply to protect the animals.

Inspect the Body

Check all over the turtles shell for cracks or week spots. Little dents can be fine, but cracks or soft spots indicate a calcium deficiency or possible mistreatment. The turtles shell is a huge part of its health. As it starts cracking away the turtle can get serious infections. To prevent the shell from weakening pet turtles are given calcium supplements.

Look at the skin and face of the turtle. The skin should have color and not be drab, or covered with a faint white film. The eyes should have no crust or dryness and there should not be any kind of discharge, or slimy stuff coming out of the nostrils or eyes. These can either be symptoms of a captured wild turtle that is over stressed or just illness in general.

Check for Stress

A common problem that gives pet store turtles a bad rap is that some purchase turtles that were captured from the wild. Its recommended that you never keep a wild turtle. Often times the stress of capture is so great that it causes illness and eventually an untimely death. It is also illegal for certain types of turtles to be taken from the wild as they are protected species.

Check the turtles general behavior. Turtles are not the fastest animals on the planet, but they should be alert and active. A listless turtle could be a sign of illness. A healthy turtle may not necessarily be active at the time that you are visiting the store. You could try moving your fingers near the tank to see if it moves at all or check the other symptoms mentioned above.

If you want a pet turtle you do not have to go to a turtle farm if you would prefer not to. Some pet store turtles are quite healthy while others have seen better days. Applying the tips mentioned above will give you a strong guide line for what a healthy turtle looks like and how it should act.

Most pet stores have a very capable staff of workers and have good procedures in place for giving their animals proper care. If you know what you are looking for you can spot a healthy turtle anywhere.

Pet Turtle Care: 4 Ways to Know If You Are Choosing a Healthy Turtle

4 Ways to Know If You Are Choosing a Healthy Turtle

It is very important to make sure that you are not bringing home a sick turtle. Depending on what is wrong with the poor creature, an illness can be spread to you, your friends, family, and other pets in the home. There are four main signs of a healthy turtle that you will want to look for.

1. Bright Eyes

The eyes of the turtle should be bright, alert and clear of any gunk that could be affecting the turtle's vision. If you come across a turtle that does not have bright eyes, it is best to leave it be and to make sure that you wash your hands right away if you touched it.

2. "Clean" Firm Shells

The shell of a turtle should be hard and firm. There are exceptions for soft-shelled turtles, which of course have soft shells. However, if the turtle is supposed to have a hard shell and does not, then the turtle is not in good physical shape. If there are bumps on the shell that should not be there, this is another sign of an unhealthy turtle. Another sign of a health problem is fungus growing on the turtle's shell. The turtle's shell should be "clean" of any such growths.

3. Healthy Appetite

Of course, the turtle does not have to appear to be starving but a healthy turtle is one that should have a healthy appetite. If the turtle goes for several days on end without eating, this is a sign of a turtle in distress. Generally, turtles will eat 3 or 4 times per week.

4. Clean Nasal Passages

Another sign of a healthy turtle is one that does not have a lot of fluid build up in the nose. If the turtle looks like it has a cold, it could very well have a cold or some other kind of infection. Colds are one thing but what appears to be a common cold could very well be something much worse for the turtle.

There are other signs of poor health that you will want to watch for such as the appearance of disorientation. When you stop and closely examine the turtles, you will find that many of the ones being sold are more than likely sick turtles. It is up to you to be an educated consumer and purchase a turtle that you know is in good health.
As you can see, proper pet turtle care should begin before you get your turtle home.

By taking the time to learn more about turtles, and particularly how to properly care for them, it will feel good when you bring your pet turtle home knowing that you can give it a comfortable and healthy life. Because your turtle is in good health, you do not have to worry so much about the health of others or vet visits for the turtle. Make sure that you are giving good pet turtle care by keeping the cage or aquarium clean and make sure that your turtle is getting proper nutrients and your turtle should remain healthy for many years to come.

Pet Turtle Care: Can You Teach Your Pet Turtle Tricks

Can You Teach Your Pet Turtle Tricks?

A lot of people believe that turtles are not smart enough to learn turtle tricks and are pets that are more for show than anything else. The truth is that although their brains are a bit more primitive than say a dog, it is still possible to teach your them skills and tricks, but I say this knowing that it won't be a straight forward ride for the an owner that wants to invest time and effort to teach their turtle these new skills.

In fact there are three things which I think you will need to make it easier to teach your turtle new things and these are...

1) The age of the turtle

Young turtles are much easier to teach turtle tricks than older more mature ones. Unfortunately it's a case of not being able to teach old turtles new tricks because the older ones get stuck in... yep you guessed it, their old ways. Younger turtles from the ages of a year old are ideal to start practicing with and if your patient and make it a routine you'll notice the progress.

2) The species of turtle

Some species of turtle are smarter than others and trying to train them will be easier. A Snapping turtle for example will be much harder to train than a box turtle as box turtles are reasonably intelligent turtles. The majority of turtles can learn new things but some are just a little slower than others.

3) How good a bond you have with your pet

To really help your turtles development, you have to have a good bond with them. If your turtle is uncomfortable or scared of you it will be difficult to even get them to come out of their shells around you. If your turtle bites you when you try to touch it, this is also a clear sign that it does not trust you so in cases like this you have to take the time to build trust between you and your turtle and only then can you take things further by teaching them turtle tricks.

Pet Turtle Care: 5 Tips For Easily Cleaning Your Turtle's Home the Right Way

5 Tips For Easily Cleaning Your Turtle's Home the Right Way

Whether you have always loved reptiles in general or you are someone who simply adores turtles, you will find that there is a lot that this pet has to offer! Turtles are ideal pets for monitored children and adults who love wildlife and you will find that they are very easy to care for. Remember that every turtle does need a clean cage, so take a moment and think about how to clean your turtle's home the right way; it is easier than you might think.

1. Remove the turtle
When you are looking to clean your turtle's tank, remove him to a place where he is not going to be injured or frightened. What might look like a simple chore to you can be a little alarming for him, so take moment to remove him to another container or, if you don't have one, to a clean bathtub! This is an important part of pet turtle care.

2. Drain the tank
When you are doing a thorough cleaning job, make sure that you have a place to drain the water. A siphon hose that is attached to a battery operated water vacuum is something that can drain the water relatively quickly, and you can always throw the excess water into the garden and allow it to nourish your plants.

3. Cleaning the accessories
While the tank is draining, take a moment to clean off the toys, hides and other accessories that are in the tank. Never ever use harsh chemicals when you are cleaning your turtle's tank; the fumes can be very bad for your pet and can result in poor health or even death. Instead of using harsh chemicals, you can get practically any stain out by using a toothbrush and white vinegar. With those two common household cleaning supplies, you'll be prepared to do a thorough cleaning job that will leave the tank sparkling clean.

4. Choosing the right kind of water
When you are thinking about how to make sure that you are providing the best pet turtle care, think about the water that you are using. Tap water is usually not recommended because of the chlorine and the fluoride that is often added to the water in an attempt to "purify" it. This is where de-chlorinated water can come in very handy; all you need to do is to set some water aside for twenty four hours before putting it in the tank. Remember this tip because it can help you keep your turtle much healthier.

5. Stick to a schedule
Your turtle's tank should be cleaned regularly, and ideally, you should also spot clean it when needed. This is an important part of making sure that your turtle stays clean and happy. I've seen tanks that literally had gunk growing on the walls and a very strong smell coming out of the tank. In a case like that, it is any wonder why their pet turtle was so inactive. It is quite likely their pet was sick due to the horrible conditions of its living quarters!

Taking good care of your turtle can provide a much longer life with a higher quality of health. By learning as much as you can about pet turtle care you will be able to provide a much better home for your pet.

Pet Turtle Care: The Pros & Cons of Owning a Pet Turtle

The Pros & Cons of Owning a Pet Turtle

Turtles are loved by children, possible because they are slow-moving creatures and for this reason some families choose them as pets. However, it's important to examine the pros & cons of owning a pet turtle before obtaining these magical creatures.

Generally, as long as you have the time and resources to properly care for them turtles will make excellent pets.

The following are some aspects to take into consideration if you own pet turtles:

First, you have to prepare a suitable home.

Perhaps the most critical aspect of owning turtles as domestic pets will be to maintain their home. Make an effort to establish a similar environment such as their natural surroundings. To do this, you have to distinguish the species. For instance, the box turtles will spend the majority of time on land, only returning when it's time to drink water. Nonetheless, the land turtles could also delight in a periodic frolic in the water.

However, the water turtles normally would need a substantial area of water. In this case, you could get an aquarium that can hold at least forty gallons. Keep in mind that this measurement will differ based on the turtle size. Additionally, make use of water filtration since these turtles are going to sleep, eat and then defecate in the aquarium. You also want to put a good amount of rocks and plants in the aquarium as this could supply a resting place.

At this point, if you are confident that you can take care of these pets, then the following will highlight what you should know before making a purchase.

These creatures have natural bacteria called Salmonella which causes a disease in human called salmonellosis. If your children are younger than five, you should not have this pet.

Adhere to your local regulations. Several states do not allow their residents to keep certain pets.

Take into account the size that they are expected to reach over the years. Having one of the larger sizes will mean a lot more space, water and food.

In the end, considering that you will discover a lot of turtles recognized as endangered reptiles, it is important to consider all the pros and cons prior to deciding on these animals as pets for your children.

Pet Turtle Care: Yellow Belly Turtles

Yellow Belly Turtles - Helpful Tips For the Novice

Yellow Belly Turtles are one of the most popular types of turtle to keep as pets. Contained in this article is some basic information, which has been collected from experts and owners alike, about Yellow Bellied Sliders. With these tips and advice added to your own knowledge, you should be able to decide if the
Yellow Turtle is the right kind of pet for you to purchase. If you are presently an owner, this information will provide you with useful counsel on how to make your pets healthier and thrive.

As its name suggests, the bottom part of the shell (known as the plastron) of a yellow belly turtle is predominantly yellow, highlighted with green specks along the edges.

It is interesting to note that this species has the capacity to interbreed with other species, such as Red Eared Sliders. Mating can take place in spring, fall, and summer. The female Yellow Bellied Sliders are normally larger than the males.

As hatchlings, this type of turtle requires an aquarium filled with up to 10 gallons of water. The Yellow Turtle will, however, need more space as it grows older. You should also make sure that their housing is large enough to allot an area in which the turtles can wander around, bask, and dry off completely after they have finished swimming. Even though direct sunlight is always the best choice for their lighting needs, you can improvise if necessary by placing a UV-B heat lamp in their tank in order to maintain an average temperature of 89-95 degrees Fahrenheit.

As your turtles grow, it is also advisable to provide a nesting place for the females. Make sure to construct a place that will be safe for the female to lay her eggs on, and for the eggs to hatch.

Yellow Belly Turtles, like others in their family, naturally produce a lot of waste. You should, therefore, invest in the best filter you can afford, which should keep the water clean and clear for the longest time possible. Another point to consider: Small and colorful pebbles, sold in pet shops, may produce a pleasing aesthetic effect to your pet's housing, but they will only make the cleaning of your turtle's house more tedious and difficult. Perhaps it will be best, then, to steer clear of these decorations.

Like the majority of turtles, the Yellow Turtle is omnivorous. This large array of food options makes feeding your pets simple and easy. Plants such as elodea can be left in the water where you keep your turtles.

You can also provide your yellow belly turtles with escarole, romaine lettuce, collard greens, freshly killed fish, and small insects. As turtles have become more and more popular in the pet trade, commercially-prepared reptile food and vitamins are now manufactured and available in the market. These can also help in keeping your turtles healthy.

As time progresses, your pet will eventually associate your approach to his feeding time. Whenever you move towards him, if you notice the turtle swimming back and forth expecting food, bear in mind that there must be a limit to the amount of food you should offer your pet daily. Do not overfeed him, because obesity is a common problem in pet turtles.

Turtles are said to require more time and effort from their owners than other pets, but this should not discourage you from keeping them. Yellow Belly Turtles are excellent additions to your household: Your care and love ensure that they will be with you for years to come!

Pet Turtle Care: 5 Tips For A Happy Turtle!

How To Care For a Pet Turtle – 5 Tips For A Happy Turtle!

Turtles make amazing pets. Learning how to care for a pet turtle the right way is certainly worth the time, effort, and money you may spend. Remember, there is no excuse for the premature death of your turtle based on neglect or lack of knowledge. The five tips I'm about to share with you can help you provide a long, healthy, and happy life for your little friend.

How To Care For A Pet Turtle - Tip One: Educate yourself. Learn about the specific breed of your turtle. Is it a Box Turtle, a Slider, a tortoise, or something else? Know its special dietary needs, temperature requirements, and social temperment. The more you know about your turtle, the better off you will be.

How To Care For A Pet Turtle - Tip Two: Prepare your home. There is much work at hand. You must purchase or build your turtle's tank. You would be very wise to seek out a vet with experience helping turtles. Do this in advance so you know exactly where to turn in case of emergency (and for insider tips). A little preparation now will lead to smoother sailing down the road.

How To Care For A Pet Turtle - Tip Three: Never use chlorinated water. This goes for your turtle's swimming water just as much as its drinking water. At minimum, pour your tap water into a large container and let sit for 24 hours before adding it to the tank. This will allow the chlorine to dissipate. Ideally, however, you will want to use spring water.

How To Care For A Pet Turtle - Tip Four: It is imperative that you provide your turtle with a mercury vapor UVB heat lamp for basking. This type of lamp will provide your turtle with sufficient amounts of vitamin D3, which prevents bone disease and premature death. Without this lamp, your turtle is in serious trouble, so please do not overlook its importance! Leave the light on for about half of each day.

How To Care For A Pet Turtle - Tip Five: You MUST maintain the proper temperature in your turtle's tank. Of course, this varies from species to species, but generally speaking, 80 degrees fahrenheit during the day and 70 degrees at night are generally accepted as rule of thumb. You will want to purchase an under water heater to achieve this. Again, knowing the unique requirements for your specific turtle's breed is absolutely necessary.

So these are five important guidelines for you to follow to ensure your turtle enjoys a long, happy life with you. Remember, turtles can live a very long time. In fact, some are known to actually outlast us! With this in mind, understand that your initial investment of time, learning, and money will be well worth it in the grand scheme of things.

A turtle is a wonderful pet. They have more personality than many people realize. You've made a fantastic decision to educate yourself on being a good turtle owner! And there is still much to be learned...

Too many turtles are killed by neglect and lack of owner knowledge. Do NOT let that happen in your family. Learn how to care for a pet turtle the right way.

Pet Turtle Care : Three Tips to Make Caring For Turtles at Feeding Time Easier

Caring for turtles inevitably involves feeding them and with this comes a few complications. Although, it should be an enjoyable time there are a few mistakes you as a turtle owner can make when trying to feed your turtle. Here are a few things to keep in mind which will help make feeding your turtles pleasant for both you and your turtle.

1) Feed your turtle in a separate tank from their aquarium

If you have an aquatic turtle it's always best to feed it in a separate tank or bowl instead of their aquarium. Aquatic turtles in particular are very messy eaters and tend to leave quite a bit of mess behind when it comes to dinner time. Feeding your turtle in a separate tank prevents bits of their food remaining in the aquarium, leaving the tank dirty and ruining the freshness of the water.

2) Supplementing the food with essential vitamins

Before you serve your turtle their food, use this time to drizzle or sprinkle some important vitamins over their food. Two essential vitamins that can be used as dusting or dressing for their food is:

• Calcium
  
• Vitamin A

Calcium can come in the form of a powder and you can obtain calcium powder from most pet stores or even online from a respectable source. All you have to do is sprinkle the calcium power over their foods and watch them gobble it up. Make sure to buy non-phosphorus calcium powder to ensure you don't unbalance your turtles calcium to phosphorus ratio.

Cod liver oil is a good source of vitamin A and can be drizzled over their vegetables before serving it to them.

3) Feed your tortoise in small amounts

One problem which comes with caring for turtles that owners have is the fact that their tortoise eats food in small amounts and often leaves their vegetables and fruits unattended for long periods of time, occasionally coming back to nibble on it later. The problem with this is if there is a large amount of food left over then it is likely to spoil. A good solution to this problem is to serve your tortoise smaller amounts of meals through the day instead of one large meal all at once.

At every serving of a small meal wait for them to finish their food completely before providing another helping. If this is impractical for you try measuring the amount of food your tortoise consumes in a day and provide them with that, so as to prevent any leftovers and food spoiling. Whatever foods are leftover at the end of the day must be removed you don't want any pest or parasites infecting it and your tortoise eating that down.

Pet Turtle Care: How to set up a turle aquarium

Pet Turtle Care

Turtle aquariums are a little different from the ordinary fish aquariums that are commonly kept in homes. For one, the turtles grow much bigger than they seem. Most new pet-owners mistakenly believe that the small sized baby turtle they see at the pet shop is not going to get much larger. A glass aquarium of 25-50 gallons or more is most suitable for turtle. One of the most important elements of turtle keeping is the selection of an appropriately sized tank. Long or "breeder" tanks are usually the best for turtles. The depth of the water should be more than the length of the turtle. In case the turtle needs to flip over, it will not get stuck in shallow water.

The water in the turtle aquarium should have a good and powerful filter. Turtles tend to be messy eaters and they also defecate directly into the water. It is necessary to keep changing the water quite often. This should be taken into consideration when putting up a turtle aquarium.

The turtle tank should have a lid and a full spectrum fluorescent light. The lighting can be adjusted using a timer to reflect the lengthening hours of the day. A good heater system is a must in a turtle tank. The substrate should be at varying levels so that the turtle can have a place where it can sit in water with its head sticking out of the water. The land area is ideally created with slate and rocks. There should be no sharp edges. This will make it easy for the turtle to climb on to the dry area. There should also be no place at the bottom of the tank where the turtle gets wedged. If it gets stuck, it will not able to surface for breath.

You will need an area that is fully dry and out of the water where the turtle can haul out and dry itself. Simulating the sun by positioning a spotlight over this area will encourage the turtle to bask. Putting the aquarium in direct sunlight is dangerous in case the turtle is not able to get into the water. There is another reason why a totally dry land area is a must in your turtle aquarium. The female turtle that is carrying its eggs will look for a dry area to bury her eggs. In the absence of a dry area, the female turtle will try to retain her eggs as long as possible. Then she will drop the eggs into the water itself. If the female turtle retains her eggs for too long, she may become sick. Fertilization within the body may also occur, and this will lead to massive infection. Larger turtles will need a bigger land area.

A turtle aquarium needs a bit of ingenuity when you set out to decorate it. Your turtle aquarium will not sustain flimsy plants for long, because the turtles will devour this quickly. The plants that go into a turtle tank needs to be stout and small. They should be able to withstand the heavy and constant activity of the turtle. Actually, a turtle tank does not need plants, gravel or sand. These will add to the difficulty in cleaning the tank. Most turtles thrive when there are minimum decorations within the tank.

It is best to investigate the natural habitat of your turtle before you bring it home. Most turtles prefer a higher temperature than the existing room temperature. Using underwater heaters is a good idea. However if your turtle is too active, it is better to "wall off" the heater a bit. After setting up the turtle aquarium, it should be run for a few days before you introduce the turtles. This will help to identify any problems in filtering, lighting etc. It is worth buying a thermometer also.

While choosing a turtle, go for the young ones only after you see the adults. Many turtles seem very small and tiny while they are young. But they soon out grow their tanks if they are fed well. In such a case, you will have to get yourself a new tank.

Pet Turtle Care: How to care for pet turtle

How to care for pet turtles

Actually many people who want to take care of these cute animals. Besides unique and exotic shapes. The maintenance is also simple. Some steps when you care for pet turtles:

• Select turtles in trusted pet shop, why? because they usually sell good quality animals.
• Even though you still have to be careful when deciding which turtle that you want to take home.
• Do not forget to ask to the pet shop about food for your turtle. choose in pellet shape, because they are more practical.
• Prepare a container maintenance. You could them put in an aquarium or making a pretty small pond.
• You can also design the place as the natural environment.
• Beside you give a food for pet turtle, you should also give a drink. so you must also provide a drink container. If you design a pond for your turtle to the water available to him to have.
• Turtles also like fruit. So, you can give them as extra food.

You should know that if the maintenance of turtle is good. It will make life of turtles will be longer. So, house cleaning, food and beverages must be absolutely clean.

Pet Turtle Care: Turtle Care For a Red Eared Slider

Care of turtle pet

If you're thinking of getting a turtle, know that a red-eared slider makes a wonderful pet. It has green skin with bright yellow markings, and the namesake red mark behind its eye. Red-eared sliders are surprisingly complex, however, which is why it's recommended that an adult - not a child - be responsible for their care. Like all aquatic and semi-aquatic turtles, the main ingredients of their care are warmth, clean water and being fed the correct diet. This article will give you an introduction to the basics of turtle care for red eared slider.

First of all, it's good to be aware that although they are only one inch long when they hatch, they can grow up to 12 inches in length as adults-so you can't just place them in any small glass fish tank. They will grow. This takes time, of course, since they live 50-70 years, but they reach sexual maturity at 2-4 years and will already be quite large by then. An adult red-eared slider generally needs a 55-gallon aquarium.

The air temperature in the aquarium should be 75 degrees F, and the water temperature should be between 75-86 degrees F. You will probably need a reptile lamp to maintain the air temperature and a submersible heater to keep the water warm. If the water is too cold your turtle will develop digestive and other health problems. On the flip side, don't place the tank in a place where it receives direct, constant sunlight, or your turtle could overheat.

Young red-eared sliders are strictly carnivorous but become omnivores as they become older, and will require a balanced diet of meat and vegetables. Meat like lean, raw beef or cooked chicken is good and should supplement commercial turtle pellets and green, leafy vegetables. Turtles are messy eaters so it's best to move them to a separate container to eat. Please note: they must be in water to eat. Allow them to eat for 15 minutes before moving them back to their tank. Juveniles should be fed daily but older turtles can be fed every two days.

The aquarium water needs to be changed on a regular basis; otherwise the water will fill up with decomposing food scraps and turtle feces and urine. Not only will this present a health hazard to your pet, but will look unsightly and smell. If you feed your turtle in a separate container, you prevent them from fouling their habitat so quickly, and you will only need to clean the tank weekly. In this cleaning you should siphon off from 25-50% of the water and "vacuum" away debris then refill the tank with clean, warm water. The entire tank should be drained, thoroughly cleaned and refilled every 1-2 months.

If you wish to pick your pet turtle up and hold it, grip it firmly with both hands. Dropping your red-eared slider will seriously injure it or could even prove fatal. In addition, if it becomes frightened, it might scratch or bite. For these reasons, a child under 5 years of age should never handle the turtle. Also, carefully wash your hands with soap after holding your pet to prevent the possibility of contracting salmonella.

Turtles are not that expensive to buy, but their care involves an ongoing investment of time and money. It costs something to feed them properly and to take them to the vet when they're ill. It's important to monitor them for signs of illness but even more important is to be consistent and careful in their daily care so that you hopefully prevent them from becoming sick in the first place. The investment, if you're willing to make it, pays large dividends in that it allows you to watch the antics of a most interesting pet for many years.

Pet Turtle Care: Caring For Your Red Eared Slider Turtle

Top 3 Things Your Slider Needs to Be Healthy

Red eared sliders are a popular exotic pet. They may look small in the pet store, but they can grow up to 12 inches and live up to 30 years. These animals require a long-term care commitment, and there are three things that every slider needs to live a long life and to be healthy.

Enough Space - Sliders like lots of room to swim, and need more of it as they grow larger. Whether you home your turtle in a pond or an aquarium, a good, general rule is 6 gallons minimum per inch of turtle. Sliders also spend time on dry land, so an accessible, fairly large, flat area out of the water is needed - this place is called a "basking" area.

Proper Heat - Warmth helps stimulate a turtle's immune system, so a warm environment helps keep your slider healthy. Warm water around 75 - 85 F is good for your pet, while a warmer temperature in the basking area of around 90 - 95 F is required. Natural sunlight is also beneficial to your slider, so consider exposing your turtle to the sun a few hours daily if possible.

Clean Water - Red eared sliders spend most of their lives in water, so clean, warm water is a must. Regular water changes need to be done, because even though the water may look clear and clean, waste products such as ammonia and nitrite can build up to dangerous levels and need to be removed by taking out the old water and replacing it with new water. Additionally, although turtles may not be as sensitive as fish to chlorine, it's still a good idea to dechlorinate any new water you put in the tank. Any introduced chlorine may negatively affect the nitrogen cycle in the aquarium which then affects the breakdown of waste products, causing the water to "dirty" faster.

Caring for red eared sliders properly will help your turtle live a long and full life in your care. It will also give you the satisfaction that you're taking care of your pet the best way possible. Don't you owe it to your red eared slider to learn about caring for it in a way that meets all its needs?

Pet Turtle Care: Food to Give Red Eared Slider Turtles

Care of turtle pet

When it comes to feeding your red eared slider turtle you have to make sure that you are giving them the right amount of vegetation and animal protein. Make sure that you are feeding them a balance between the two so that they are getting the right amount of nutrients and vitamins.

As babies they need to eat large amount of animal protein because they have a very large carnivorous side to them. However, it is still a good thing to feed them a few vegetable materials.

Don't be surprised though if they don't eat much of the vegetation till they are older. When they become adults you can pull back on the animal materials and feed them mostly vegetation.

You can offer red eared slider pellet food. They have a bit a mixture of the right amount of vitamins and minerals. They are sometimes more convenient for pet owners. But this should not be the only thing that you feed them. It is great if you mix their food up a bit to keep them from getting bored and to make sure that they are getting all of the nutrients that they need to be healthy.

Food To Feed Red Eared Sliders

When it comes to feeding them you can give them earthworms, live feeder fish (this includes goldfish, guppies, minnows), waxworms, crickets, aquatic snails, daphnia, earthworms, silkworms, mealworms, and blood worms. These should only be given to small turtles. Adult red eared slider should eat larger animal items.

When feeding turtles vegetation stick with collard, kale, bok choy, mustard, dandelions greens, and dark green leaf lettuce. Never feed them iceberg lettuce because it does not have much nutrition.

If your turtle lives in a pond or aquarium you can always add aquatic plants to feed them. They love to snack on submerged plants like frog-bit, water hyacinth, water lettuce, azolla, anacharis, and duckweed.

Pet Turtle Care: Quick Guide For the Red Eared Slider Turtle

Care of turtle pet

The red eared slider turtle, commonly known as red "eared" slider, is easily identified by red markings on the side of their face. Red eared slider turtles are the most popular breed of Turtle people own as pets. This is mostly due to their friendly temperament and often playful demeanor red sliders can make great pets, provided you know a little back ground information.

The red eared and all other breeds of turtle are usually viewed as an "easy" pet to own. Just put it in a bowl and feed it, right? The red eared slider turtle may not need to be walked like a dog or need flea treatments like a cat, but they do require a fair amount of education to be raised properly.

Be Ready for a Pet

Most new turtle owners mistake the low maintenance nature of owning a turtle for no maintenance. This can easily lead to illnesses or premature fatality. Turtles are a bit different from more popular indoor pets such as cats and dogs, but they do require attention to their environment, diet and health just the same.

If you get a red eared as a baby, do not be fooled by how small they are. They may look like a pebble in the hands of a child, but in just two years the average red eared slider turtle will grow to 12 inches. A ten gallon tank will not last the life of your turtle. Keep in mind that turtles grow to the size of their environment, so if you want a larger turtle, get a larger tank.

Feeding

Feeding your red eared slider can become a simple routine, but you have to pay attention. A common mistake most first time turtle owners make is overfeeding their turtle. This is terribly unhealthy for your red eared slider.

If you have done this in the past, not to worry. It has happened to many because of the nature of the red slider. They tend to move around their tank very quickly splashing about in the water "begging" for food.

Anyone who has seen this act will tell you how cute of a little trick it is, but avoid temptation. A good rule of thumb is to feed your turtle a hunk of food the size of its head/neck or however much it can eat in 15 minutes.

As far as what to feed your turtle slider, turtle pellets are a good nutrient rich staple for your sliders diet, but try to incorporate a variety of leafy greens, vegetables and fruits as well. A well balanced diet is just as important for a turtle as a person or any other animal. For a welcome protein boost try bugs like mosquitoes, crickets and worms or feeder fish like minnows and guppies. A few examples of fruits and veggies for a sliders turtle would be sweet potato, squash, carrots, berries, bits of apple etc...

Final Tips
Remember to cook foods like carrots to make them chewable. Always feed your turtle in a separate little dish or tub with water in it. They mainly eat in water because they are unable to produce saliva. As an added bonus, Turtles have a habit of pooping while they eat. This way, you can easily clean up the mess and save your tank from having to filter it out.

The turtles red eared slider are a playful companion once they get to know you. I tried my best to cover the very basics. There is enough info on turtles to fill books, literally! With a little know how and willingness to learn anyone can own a happy, healthy red eared slider turtle. As a newbie try to concentrate on the turtles diet the most. This and other health concerns are the most common reasons for premature death or illness.

Pet Turtle Care: How to Tell the Gender of Red Eared Slider Turtles

Care of turtle pet

How to tell the gender of red eared slider turtles is important. Many pet-owners enjoy the antics of their Red-eared Slider for months or even years without concerning themselves as to whether their pet is a male or a female. Eventually, however, curiosity prevails and they want to know. Perhaps they're thinking of adding another turtle to the tank and think it would be best to have a male and a female.

In addition, many pet-owners daydream about their turtles mating, seeing their own pets lay eggs, and having the thrill of seeing those eggs hatch into baby turtles. If it happens naturally, that's one thing. But it's generally not recommended to try to match-make a male and female to produce young unless you're a professional turtle breeder.

But just the same, how do you tell the difference between genders?

As a general rule, female Red-eared Sliders are bigger than the males. A fully-grown female might have a shell measuring 11 inches in length, but a male will rarely ever grow more than 8 inches long. Adult females are also heavier, weighing more than 4 pounds.

But what if you don't have fully-mature pets? How do you tell? The fact is, until they are at least 4 inches long it's sometimes difficult to know. Well, one way to tell is by the length of the front claws: a male Red-eared Slider usually has longer front claws than the female-relative to his size, of course. However, if your turtle is too young or is late in going through a growth spurt, then this won't necessarily be a sure way to tell, at least not by itself.

Here's another thing to look for: male Red-eared Sliders also have longer, thinner tails than females, with a small vent (cloaca or hole) near the middle of the tail, halfway between the shell and the tip of the tail. Females have short tails and their vent is nearer the base of their shell, almost under the overlap of the shell.

One obvious way to tell is if your pet turtle lays eggs-and yes, female turtles will sometimes lay eggs without a male turtle being present.

Males also have in-curved bellies while females have out-curved or flat bellies. Don't turn your turtle upside-down to get a look, however, as this is detrimental to its health. Instead, lift it just high enough to peer at its underside.

Some of the above methods of determining the sex of your turtle are less definitive than others; however, if most or all of the signs point one direction, then it's pretty certain that you have correctly determined your turtle's gender. If you're still in doubt, however, and really want to know, ask your vet the next time you take your pet turtle in.

A reminder: wash your hands with water and soap after every time you handle your turtle. Turtles are often contaminated with Salmonella, and the bacteria that cause this disease can transmit a disease called Salmonellosis to their owners. Every year, in the United States alone, turtles (together with other reptiles) transmit 74,000 known cases of Salmonellosis to humans. So be careful!

Pet Turtle Care: The Red Eared Slider and Other Popular Varieties

Care of turtle pet

So you're thinking of becoming a turtle owner! You have read all the books you can read. You have asked veterinarians and turtle breeders for information on how to provide proper care. Your only concern now is this: Which type should you purchase?

As a prospective owner, it is not recommended that you start with types of turtles that are difficult to care for. This will not be good for either you or the pet. You may expose you and your family to illness, and unnecessarily harm or even kill the turtle. So to prevent problems, you must know which are the best types of turtles to select as common household pets. What are the most popular turtle pets?

Check this list...

1.Slider Turtles
Found in the southeastern United States, Red Eared Sliders are the most popular among turtle pets. They love to bask on logs and riverbanks and tend to slide into water whenever they sense danger (thus their name). Red Eared Sliders can be very tame-but they also bite. They grow as long as 12 inches, therefore they require very large tanks or an outdoor pond. Most of the Red Eared Sliders are carnivorous
when young; but become herbivorous as they grow.

2. Box Turtles
Growing to about six inches long, Box Turtles are found all over the world in damp areas, such as forests. They are one of the most favorite turtles to keep as pets. They cannot be placed in too much direct sunlight, so prepare a shaded area for them. Box Turtles also hibernate in winter, and require a separate area with sources of moisture, such as dirt and leaves. Box Turtles have high, dark, domed
shells that allow them to completely secure themselves from their predators.

3.Painted Turtles
Painted Turtles are generally small, growing only between four and seven inches long, and make great turtle pets. They are the most prevalent North American water turtle, found in the wild all across Canada, and south to Georgia and Louisiana in the United States. They have dark, fairly flat-topped shells, with red markings around the edges, yellow stripes on their heads, and red and yellow stripes on their necks, tails, and legs. Their plastron is completely yellow. Captive-bred Painted Turtles need a diet of about 25% meat, 20% or so turtle pellets, and the balance fresh greens and vegetables.

4. Mud Turtles
As their name suggests, Mud Turtles are frequently found in muddy areas; but, they also reside in other humid areas, as well as in sandy habitats. Reaching about five inches in length, they require sunlight and fresh water in their living areas. These turtles, which lie dormant during winter, dig deep holes in the mud for their hibernation period. After choosing from among this list, go to your nearest pet breeders, animal shelters, rescue centers, or pet shops to buy your pet turtle. If purchasing from pet shops, be careful, though. You have to know if the turtles are captive-bred or have lived in the wild. Captive-bred turtles are highly recommended for turtle pets. Those turtles that have come from the wild may not be healthy.

Pet Turtle Care: Tips on Care and Diet for Red Eared Slider Turtles

Care of turtle pet

Taking care of the Red Eared Turtle takes more than just a container decorated with colorful pebbles and filled with water. These animals have specific housing needs, and require special diets and close monitoring; all this in order to ensure their health and safety, and allow them to live out their maximum lifespans. The following tips about the Red Eared Turtle should help you come to a decision as to whether you are ready to become an owner, or, if you are already one, give you useful advice on how to take better care of your turtle pet.

If your are just in the planning stages of purchasing a red eared turtle, there are a few things you should look out for to make sure that your pet is in perfect condition and not ill before you bring it home. Healthy turtles of this species should be alert, responsive, and bright in appearance. You will know if the turtle is alert and responsive if it pulls its legs back into its shell when you pick it up. Otherwise, Red Eared Slider Turtles that seem to be passive when you do this are most likely to be stressed out or sluggish. They are in great shape and health if they have clear, open, and clean eyes. Their noses should be free from discharge or mucus, which are signs of respiratory sickness.

Red Eared Slider Turtles may appear delicate and cute when they are just hatchlings, and many novice owners may assume that small, plastic containers or tanks would make adequate housing for them. This theory is a mistake; as the turtles grow into their adult size, they will reach up to twelve inches in length.

You must, therefore, prepare a suitably sized dwelling place, ideally a large tank or pond. A red eared turtle that has received the right kind of care and monitoring can live for forty years.

One should always remember that it is never wise to try to return a turtle to the wild when it becomes an adult, because it will not be equipped with the skills necessary for self-preservation and survival, especially if it had been kept captive most of its life.

A red eared turtle can excrete a lot of waste material, and you must keep its housing clean, by placing a good filter into its tank, and by feeding it in a separate tank or container.

Red eared slider turtles are omnivorous, although as young turtles, they show a preference for small animals, such as earthworms, shrimp, mealworms, crickets, and krill. These may have to be cut into smaller portions when fed to the hatchlings. If your pet is already an adult, you may offer it larger prey, such as tadpoles. As the turtles mature, you should shift to vegetables for the majority of their diet; for example, collard, dandelion greens, and green beans.

You can determine the sex of your turtles only when they have become mature. You should allot a nesting area on which the females can lay their eggs. Be sure that this area, and the entire place in which the turtles dwell, are escape-proof and free from predators.

These facts about Red Eared Slider Turtles should serve as sound and helpful advice on how to take care of your turtle pets.

Pet Turtle Care: Choosing the Right Turtle and Terrapin Food

You may think that all pet turtles and pet terrapins are the same and therefore have the same dietary requirements. Actually, depending on the kind and breed of turtle, they can have different dietary needs but they all require an adequate amount of vitamins and minerals that you can either supply to them through their food or through supplements.

There are varieties of vitamins and mineral supplements that you can feed your pet turtle or terrapin. These are able to provide a little bit of additional dietary support and nutrition that may be lacking from their regular diet.

Most kinds of vitamin and mineral supplements can be given to them once or twice a week as part of their regular feeding. In general, if you provide your pet turtles and pet terrapins with a healthy variety of fresh, leafy greens and other fresh vegetables they should get most of the nutrition that they need from those.

Certain breeds of turtles also enjoy worms and other fresh vegetables. Some turtle owners also provide their pets with a calcium block to snack on to help take care of calcium needs which can be a little bit more difficult to supplement through the normal dietary feedings.

You should also always make sure that you provide your pet turtles with a constant supply of fresh water that is always clean. Provide it to them in a shallow bowl so that it is easy for them to drink from.

Depending on the specific breed of your turtle, you may want to check with the local pet store, or ask an expert online about any additional guidelines and nutritious needs that your pet turtle may have. It is also a good idea to do your research entirely before you decide what kind of pet turtle or terrapin to get so you can be sure that you will easily be able to get the supplies and food that your pets need.

Whatever kind of pet turtle you get, you should remember that turtles and terrapins both have a long life expectancy. So when you decide to bring one home as your pet you need to be willing to commit to it for many years, maybe even your entire life!

Pet Turtle Care: Do You Know What Aquatic Turtle Food to Feed Your Pet?

Many people feed their turtles aquatic turtle food and vitamins and mineral supplements but I think providing your turtles with a natural food source is by far the best option and having such an all round balanced diet should mean that there is little need for supplements. I feel that supplements should only be given if the aquatic turtle food in their diet is lacking in a particular mineral.

I like to use as many natural turtle foods as I can to try and simulate the same type of foods that the turtle would naturally get in the wild.

Fish

Aquatic turtles eat all sorts of fish including Goldfish, Minnows, Trout and Guppies.

The fish can be fed whole or chopped, but a good tip is to freeze the fish for a couple of days prior to feeding to your turtle as this helps get rid of any parasites being transferred to your turtles environment. Fish should be given once or twice a week.

Greens and Vegetables

The turtle food you give to your turtle should also include a good variety of fresh leafy greens and vegetables including lettuce, cabbage, alfalfa, and clover.

Sometimes they will also eat berries, so you can try it and see.

Supplements

Having said that about supplements, there is one that I do like to give my aquatic turtles. I give them a calcium block because this mineral is a bit more difficult to provide in their normal diet and by having this on their dry area allows them to snack on it in between meals.

Different breeds of aquatic turtles require different foods so before you get your turtle make sure that you ask at your pet store about any additional requirements and I would also recommend you research thoroughly before you decide which turtle to buy.

Pet Turtle Care: How to care mud turtle

Do You Know How to Care For These Cute Turtles?

Turtle ownership requires sufficient knowledge in proper turtle care. It is something that is not easy to do. It requires the owner's time and money. For this reason, if you are interested in owning a turtle, you must ensure first that you are ready to provide care and take responsibility.

First and foremost, you must determine which species is the easiest for you to care for. By doing so, you can assure yourself of happy turtle ownership, and, on the part of the pet, a happy life in captivity. If you are a novice, a mud turtle may be the best for you. They are cute, small, and generally docile. More importantly, mud turtles have the ability to adapt well to captivity; thus, they make good pets. Males have curved-in plastrons and long tails. The female mud turtles, on the other hand, have flat bottom shells and short tails.

The Mud Turtle is divided into 2 genera, the Kinosternon, found in North and South America, and the Pelusios, found in Africa. They are small, seldom growing longer than five inches, require little maintenance, and are commonly kept as pets. Due to their small size and minimal care requirements, they can easily be kept indoors or outdoors. If outside, make sure that they receive a lot of vitamin D3, which is important to the growth of the shell; if inside, provide them with a UVB bulb in order to receive the same amount of necessary vitamins. As their name suggests, this little turtle likes damp or muddy housing. If they are maintained outdoors, this is easily achieved. If not, make sure that they are kept in a large tank with clean water.

They require swimming and basking areas, which can be as simple as a pile of rocks placed near the water's edge to facilitate entry and exit. Make sure that these are smooth rocks to prevent injury. Put some water plants in its tank to make the mud turtle feel safe. The water should not be deeper than a few inches, thereby allowing them to breathe easily above the water and to swim properly. A filter system, heater, and regular water changes are musts in your mud turtle's housing. The water temperature should remain at
70°F.

Originating in North and Central America, mud turtles can live for as long as 40 years with proper husbandry. They breed from March to May. Mud turtles, which have one to two hinges on their bottom shell, also hibernate during the winter.

Semi-terrestrial turtles, mud turtles are omnivores. They prefer to eat live tadpoles, snails, fish, insects, and carrion; but, they can also be provided with some plant matter, such as green, leafy vegetables. Young mud turtles require daily feeding. As they grow, feeding drops to two to three times a week. They also need calcium supplements for bone growth and for prevention of health complications. In addition, mud turtles, along with other turtles in the family of Kinosternidae, can release a stinking musk scent as a last defence against a dangerous predator.