Pet Turtle Care

Setting Up Turtle Pond and Care of Southern Painted Turtle

2011-05-01T16:01:00.003+07:00

Setting up a turtle pond may seem like an easy enough task; however it isn't quite as easy as it may appear. Remember, once you introduce live animals into your pond; the care and time that are required to maintain your pond goes up exponentially.

First, you will need to make sure to dig out and line your pond appropriately, filling it with filtered water or water with purification tablets that will remove any harmful chemicals from the water itself. While many people would prefer to start off with baby turtles; laws in many states forbid owning turtles less than four inches in diameter. You should take some time with your local turtle experts to decide which turtles would fair best in your outdoor environment. The sooner you create, the sooner you can enjoy your new space!

The Southern Painted Turtle (Also known as the Chrysemys Picta Dorsalis) is an ever-popular turtle in the pet trade. Their popularity due in part by the fact that they are extremely personable; this mellow species of turtle makes a wonderful pet for all family members if cared for properly.

This painted turtle ranges greatly in size, from three inches to seven inches depending on the sex of the turtle. The females tend to be the larger of the two sexes, much like most turtle species; making it important to provide ample space for your new Southern Painted Turtle to live in.

Southern painted turtles eat a wide variety of things. From fish, insects, and plant matter they are a hearty breed and easy to feed.

As a Pet Turtle is Very Easy in Maintenance

2011-03-29T14:03:00.004+07:00

If you want an exotic animal in your home. The turtle is a good choice. As a pet turtle is very easy in maintenance.

Food was relatively easy to obtain. Resistance to disease attack is strong enough. Nevertheless knowledge of proper maintenance is needed, so the turtles can live healthier and longer.

Indeed many kinds of turtles. Ranging from the size and color. That's the main attraction. The more rare species can be found will increasingly be unique.

Is not rare that some people hunt for unique species to go abroad because he wanted something different for a turtle as desired.

If you want the turtles to be kept in a pond then select the type of habitat more lives in the swamp. if you want a type that can be kept in a dry container then you must choose which type is to it.

That need to be considered against the turtles are seen cute although you still have to pay attention to nature. especially on children who sometimes these turtles can bite if it feels threatened. But clearly the tortoise remains a better pet than a dog or cat in terms of aggressiveness.

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

2010-09-09T12:00:00.002+07:00

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

2010-09-09T04:45:00.004+07:00

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

2010-08-30T06:37:00.003+07:00

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

2010-08-30T06:26:00.004+07:00

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

2010-08-30T06:12:00.006+07:00

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

2010-08-24T07:59:00.002+07:00

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

2010-08-24T07:44:00.003+07:00

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

2010-08-24T07:43:00.003+07:00

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

2010-08-24T07:40:00.002+07:00

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

2010-08-24T07:38:00.002+07:00

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

2010-08-24T07:36:00.002+07:00

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

2010-08-24T07:27:00.003+07:00

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!

2010-08-18T08:56:00.003+07:00

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

2010-07-22T04:56:00.004+07:00

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

2010-06-10T11:52:00.005+07:00

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

2010-06-02T07:14:00.005+07:00

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

2010-05-28T14:02:00.003+07:00

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

2010-05-28T13:59:00.003+07:00

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

2010-05-28T13:56:00.003+07:00

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

2010-05-28T13:51:00.004+07:00

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

2010-05-28T13:48:00.003+07:00

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

2010-05-28T13:45:00.003+07:00

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

2010-05-28T13:37:00.004+07:00

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

2010-05-26T03:41:00.003+07:00

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?

2010-05-26T03:33:00.002+07:00

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

2010-05-24T11:38:00.004+07:00

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.

Pet Turtle Care: Spoil Your Pet Turtle With 4 Treats Turtles Love

2010-05-24T11:26:00.004+07:00

The most important part of owning a turtle is to make sure that you fully understand pet turtle care. When you know how to care for your turtle properly, you will be able to enjoy many long years with your little friend. You of course want to make sure that your turtle is a happy turtle, since it is bringing you so much joy into your life. To ensure that yours is as happy as a turtle can possibly be, make sure that you are providing him or her with little treats.

1. Outside Play Time
If your turtle is pinned up inside the house all day long, try making sure that he or she gets the opportunity to visit the outdoors once in a while. Take your turtle out into your yard, away from cats or dogs that may attack, and let him or her roam around the yard a little. The natural sunlight is a wonderful way to bring health and happiness to your turtle. You may also find that your turtle finds little pieces of grass or tiny bugs that he or she will enjoy munching on. These fresh snacks are very nutritious and are a nice treat that your turtle will love.

2. Yummy Snacks
If there is a favorite treat that you do not normally buy such as freeze dried shrimp, wax worms or an expensive fruit, depending on the type of turtle you have, you might want to add some into your turtle's food dish for a special treat. You want to make sure that you do not go overboard with the treats though because you have to be careful that the diet you give your turtle is a balanced one.

3. New Cage or Aquarium Furniture
Whether it is a floating ledge for a water aquarium or a nice little cave to hide in for a dry cage, there is something out there that your turtle would love to have added to his or her little enclosure. By adding a little something special to the enclosure of the turtle, you will allow him or her to have something new to explore and make use of.

4. A Play Mate
You can introduce a playmate, such as another turtle of the same breed, into the home of your turtle. It is wise to make sure that you are bringing in the other gender to make sure that there will not be any territory fighting. You also want to make sure that the turtle you bring in is about the same size as the one you already have in order to make sure they are good companions.

In the end, proper pet turtle care is all about doing what is best for your turtle. This includes diet, exercise and cage cleaning but also should include providing love, affection and treats every now and then. You will feel joyful knowing that you are providing everything you possibly can to make sure that your turtle leads a happy life.

Pet Turtle Care: Important 5 Tips For Caring Pet Turtle

2010-05-24T11:01:00.003+07:00

Having a turtle as a pet means you may have more responsibility then you planned. They need more care then most people are aware. Female and male turtles need separate care. It's important to do your research and make sure you understand how to care for your turtle properly!

The first step in caring for your turtle should be to understand how to tell the difference between female and male turtles. They need different kinds of care so this is important!

Here are the 5 most important tips you should know and understand about caring for your turtle:

1. Environment - It is very important that you understand what type of environment conditions your turtle needs. Different types of turtles need separate kinds of environments. For example -- some may need wet, dry, or both types of habitats! It is critical that you now what is suitable for your turtle to make sure he stays happy and healthy!

2. Diet - Another very important thing to understand is what type of food and diet your turtle needs to stay healthy and happy. Your turtle's food and water should always be fresh. His water should be served in a shallow bowl for easy access. Do your research because different types of turtles need different diets. You should also make sure you don't feed any food that may make your turtle sick!

3. Living Conditions - Some turtles prefer to live alone, while others need company. Turtles with living conditions that aren't correct may become unhappy, unhealthy, lonely, and/or overcrowded. You should read up on your type of turtle to make sure you have this correct.

4. Daily Care - Your turtle needs daily care from you. Most people don't realize that turtles DO need a lot of care. It's important that you realize this and care for your turtle every day. Buying a pet turtle requires a lot of commitment and dedication. They also have a very long lifespan, so you should definitely read into these considerations before buying one.

5. Life Expectancy - You and your turtle may be together for around 30-50 years. If you are not fully committed that number may not be realistic for your situation. This is why it is so important that you completely understand your turtle's needs.

Turtles are really wonderful pets and I'm sure that you'll have a long, amazing life together!

Pet Turtle Care: Your Turtle Source

2010-05-24T10:56:00.002+07:00

What Should You Ask Before Buying a Turtle?

Turtles can be bought in pet shops or from breeders. If someone wanted to purchase a turtle, he could go directly to a store, visit the breeders he knows, or even find online sources. But have you ever asked yourself where your pet turtles (and the rest of the turtles in pet shops) come from? Have you ever taken the initiative to find out? Sometimes it helps owners-whether prospective, beginning, or experienced-to know where the turtles come from, to be able to take extra precautions against disease or even illegal trading.

1. Turtles From Their Original Wild Habitats

Wild turtles are caught to be sold to the pet industry. This can be quite an unlucky fate for these turtles. From the very moment they are captured and taken from their natural habitats, stress and fear can cause them terrible consequences. It is not surprising then that some of them die or are injured en route to captivity. In their natural settings, turtles do not follow a fixed time and schedule for their feedings and water consumption. When captured, they may become lazy or listless. This process of capturing and taking turtles from their original environment also affects the population of the turtles in the wild, and may even present damage to their natural habitat. It has been reported that the search for gopher tortoises had unscrupulous turtle collectors wrecking the natural habitats, like rock crevices and bogs, of the animals. These actions can greatly damage the ecosystem as a whole.

2. Ranched Turtles

When wild-caught turtles are raised to a marketable size in captivity, or their eggs or hatchlings sold, we consider them to be "ranched." At least 10% of adult ranched turtles will die from overcrowded conditions, and ranchers will have to resort to making up the balance by taking even more turtles from the wild. Baby red-eared sliders are said to be the biggest number of ranched species raised for export on farms in Louisiana.

3. Captive-bred Turtles

Captive-bred turtles, raised by pet owners or small retailers, are animals caged for a long time, which are then mated with other captive turtles. The eggs they lay are then sold through on-line dealers or pet stores.

4. Turtle Farming

Turtle farming means that the turtles are born in captivity and have had 0% exposure to the natural environment. According to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service studies and reports, a very large percentage of the total turtle importation in the US is almost always of animals seized from their wild habitat.

If you know the source of your pet turtle, the novice owner should go to his veterinarian to have his turtle examined. This is especially true for turtles that initially originate in feral locales. These turtles may carry very serious diseases or illnesses that can be dangerous to you and your loved ones. Remember, turtle ownership should be an enjoyable endeavor for you and your family. It should never place you or your loved ones in danger of compromising your health. You cannot, simply by looking at a turtle, determine if it has an illness or is carrying a disease. Only your veterinarian can tell. This is why it is so important to purchase a turtle from a reputable breeder or store, and to have an independent examination by your veterinarian.

Pet Turtle Care: How to Buy a Turtle

2010-05-24T10:50:00.003+07:00

Pet Tips You Need to Know

Turtles make delightful pets for children, teens and adults. Not only are they fascinating to observe, but they have the added benefit of living for fifty or more years-yes, even a Red-eared Slider four inches long will live half a century! It can be your family mascot for generations. But anyone wanting a turtle should be aware that, contrary to what you might think, turtles actually require a great deal of care. For this reason they might not make the best pet for a young child. But if your child is responsible and won't simply neglect his or her pet when the novelty wears off, and truly has her heart set on one, we will give you some tips on how to buy a turtle.

You can buy turtles all over the place-even in a flea market. Animal shelters sometimes have abandoned turtles as well, though they might be diseased and require the care of a vet. The most recommended places to buy a turtle are in a pet store or from a turtle breeder. These outlets are more likely to house and care for their turtles in a professional, sanitary environment. Just the same, check that their animals aren't being held in grimy tanks under overcrowded conditions.

Also, very importantly, the salespeople at a pet store or breeders will be knowledgeable about turtles and be able to answer the many questions that you should ask before purchasing a pet and bringing it home. For example, you should first ask about the different types of turtles-aquatic, semi-aquatic or land tortoises-and decide which kind is best for you. Once you've settled on the species you want, you'll need to ask what kind of food that particular turtle eats, what kind of living conditions it requires, how often its tank needs to be cleaned out, etc. Be sure to get the exact name of your breed so that you can look it up on the Internet later to find out more feeding and care tips.

Select a turtle with bright eyes that aren't milky looking. Clear eyes are a sign that it's healthy. Don't pick a turtle that has a soft or discoloured shell, or cracked and dry skin, as those are sure signs that the animal is ill. In addition, a healthy turtle should squirm and try to get away when you pick it up, wiggling its little legs and head. (Some turtles carry the disease salmonella, but you can't really tell if your choice is infected or not-so just make sure to always-always!-wash your hands with soap after handling them.) It's also best to buy a young turtle rather than an old one, as a young turtle will be more adaptable and be able to change to a new diet easily. Finally, if your choice appears to be quite little, have the vendor measure it, as it's illegal to sell a turtle less than three or four inches long.

Before actually buying your pet turtle and bringing it home, make sure that you have something to bring it home to. Turtles-especially aquatic breeds like Red-eared Sliders, etc., require a rather complex habitat, and you can't simply bring it home and keep it in a glass bowl for several days. You need to have your pet's happy home set up and waiting for it when it comes in the door. You will need to buy an ample-sized aquarium, some pebbles and plants for the bottom, flat rocks or brick to stack on top of each other (to create a dry area above the water), and turtle food. You will also need to buy a reptile lamp for your pet to bask under, as that's what keeps its shell healthy and firm.

Now you're ready to buy your pet turtle and bring it home!

Pet Turtle Care: Buy a Pet Turtle

2010-05-24T10:42:00.003+07:00

What You Need to Consider Before

Turtles make great pets, which is why you will find lots of pet owners prefer to buy a pet turtle and raise it as their pet. They are fascinating creatures that can live for half of a century or so. We may think that turtles do not need utmost care but actually, they also require enough attention from their caretakers. Some of the species may not be appropriate for little kids who are not yet responsible.

Mostly, a turtle enthusiast may buy a pet turtle among reliable pet stores which are found in every location. Also, a highly recommended source of healthy pet turtles is a breeder of different turtle species. Essentially, breeders are recommended and most preferred because they have room for these animals and they have facilities to care for baby turtles in suitable and sanitary environments. But one thing that should be ensured is that the turtles should not be confined in overcrowded tanks and containers.

Those who buy a turtle from breeders or pet stores have to ensure that the store/breeder is a lot knowledgeable regarding turtles. For instance, you have to let them differentiate the characteristics of turtles and tortoise to avoid confusion. Once you are done choosing the species to bring home, inquire about the pet's diet in order to provide the appropriate nutrition.

Find out the breed or species whenever you buy a turtle for more reference should you have to look for additional feeding and care tips. When choosing a pet, pick one with bright and clear eyes being a sign a hale and hearty turtle. Never choose one with faded or soft shell as well as dry or cracked skin. These can indicate an ailing pet.

To efficiently buy a turtle, you have to consider some characteristics of turtles that will indicate that it is a healthy one. A vigorous turtle should wriggle and try to flee from grip and that it should wiggle its head and legs considerably. Beware of risky salmonella when handling turtles. After handling them, thoroughly wash both hands with soap and clean water.

Buy a pet turtle which is young. Prefer them over adult turtles since younger ones can easily adapt. Arrange an appropriate tank for your turtle. Plus, you can grant it with additional plants and stones inside the tank. And of course, do not fail to supply your pet turtle with sufficient amount of food and fresh water.

Pet Turtle Care: The New Turtle Tub Experience - Herpetologist Approved

2010-05-20T17:50:00.002+07:00

Many are zoned in on the pond experience, and well they should because it is a natural setting for turtles and reptiles alike. It consists of a swimming area and a nesting area.

The Typical Aquarium

Typically owners of aquariums develop there own styles of systems which include a swimming area and a nesting area. The simplest and lowest cost method is to change an aquarium to a pool-nesting combo. A piece of glass is siliconed in between the sides of the aquarium. This provides a swimming area and a nesting area, just by siliconing a piece glass in place.

The Turtle Tub: Pond Experience

The second most popular method is to abandon the aquarium setting altogether and use a tub that is either made with partitions in it, or owners again develop their own style of partition.

A third alternative is to actually combine the two systems into one. I will talk about the third system in a minute, but I want to discuss the first two in a little bit more detail so we understand the strengths and weaknesses of each.

Strengths and Weaknesses of Each System

The aquarium system is nice because it allows a visual of the turtles or reptiles from the side. Not all animals appreciate the viewing of themselves, water dragons for example, but most are not affected too badly by it. You will find that animals have personalities and if treated right, the visual experience is not hurting them.

Some times a reptile likes to retreat, so a hollowed out log, or a rock with a space behind it offers a "get away" or a concealment for the pet. The aquarium systems can offer this variety, but have a distinct down fall, and that is water changes and overall cleanliness of the aquarium. Cleaning the environment is very important for pet health and it must be done frequently.

Any pet owner worth his salt working with an aquarium system must devote at least an hour to cleaning and reassembling the aquarium tank system. Just in case you are wonder, wont a filtration system work? Yes it will, but the water still needs to be changed.

Mega Turtle Tank

The turtle tank, or mega turtle tub has been developed that offers the pond experience. This particular design basically removes the drudgery of siliconing in a partition. It allows one side to be a pool and the other side to be a nesting area. The down side is that the tub is only useful for viewing from above. So the tub must be placed on the floor for viewing. Additionally, placing the unit on the floor is not optimal especially for pet enthusiasts who want to conserve space, and also use the conventional aquarium systems.

Aquarium systems again have their benefits, and they are primarily the fact of space and aesthetics: ie it is not an eyesore. Everyone has seen a fish tank in a doctors office, or even in a home. The bottom line is they look like a piece of furniture, not a sore thumb sitting in the middle of the floor.

The Optimum Turtle Tub

So the optimum situation would be to use an aquarium as the setting. Have it provide both the swimming and the nesting area. Trouble is that siliconing in a partition makes cleaning difficult.

Several reptile enclosure accessories have come up with ideas that include the tank. Usually the idea is something that straddles the tank. There is another idea however that used, such as floating logs for basking.

The third idea involves a pool converted into a basking area. Kind of like a floating island for basking. In other words, the reptile can nest on an island while swimming around it, or next to it. This can be accomplished by using pool as a nesting area, and the rest of the aquarium as a pool. The ease of maintenance is much simpler this way. The pool can be removed, and then the tank can be drained (or even use conventional filtration systems), while the nesting section is removed and placed on the side.

Once the tank is cleaned, the nesting section can be put back in place.

So to recap,

There are three methods:

1. Aquarium Tank Siliconed Partitioned Nesting Section
2. Turtle Tub Enclosure
3. Aquarium and Nesting Section

All three methods have their merits, but the third seems to combine the best of both worlds: viewing, aesthetics and cleaning.

Pet Turtle Care: How to Design a Turtle Terrarium

2010-05-20T17:48:00.003+07:00

A turtle terrarium is ideal if you want to show off your pet and decorate your house at the same time. You will be providing your turtle a habitat, and adding to the natural feel of your home.

Step 1: Get a tank

You will need to get a tank large enough to accommodate your turtle when it reaches its maturity. The minimum turtle terrarium dimensions should be 3-4 times the length of the turtle, twice the length of the turtle in width, and 1.5-2 times the length of the turtle in height. Add 8-12 inches above the highest level the turtle can reach inside the tank so it cannot escape.

If you have more than one turtle, increase the tank dimensions by 40-60% per turtle.

The tank for your turtle terrarium should preferably be Plexiglas, since regular glass produces glare.

Step 2: Prepare the water and land area

Try not to obstruct the water area so that the turtle can swim freely and not bump into or be stuck on decorations. Place the decorations along the corners instead, covering other turtle terrarium equipment like filters.

Turtles love to bask, so they will need land area to rest on. This can be made of acrylic, glass, thick wood, plastic, or a large stone. Anchor the land area above water level, with a ramp sloped so the turtle can climb on.

Avoid sharp edges or decorations that will block the turtle's path. Also, do not use gravel or other materials that are less than 2 centimeters in diameter.

Step 3: Make sure the water you use is clean

Turtles spend a lot of their time in the water. It is where they swim, eat, drink, and release their waste. Over time, the water will become dirty, and this will make the turtle susceptible to diseases if left unchanged.

Changing the tank water in a turtle terrarium is a tedious job, and is recommended to be done every 45 days, at least. To keep the water clean between each change, you can use a water filtration system instead.

You can also add a teaspoon of salt in every 4-5 liters of water to prevent harmful bacteria, and shell and skin diseases.

Step 4: Decorate the tank

Make the turtle's habitat a bit more homely by adding decorations to it instead of leaving it bare.

Remember to wash and sterilize things you pick up from the road before you put them in the tank. Do not add decorations that are sharp, pointed, or so small that the turtle can swallow them.

You can add commercial decorations, driftwood, gravel, plants, shells, and stones to your turtle terrarium.

Step 5: Provide proper lighting

Turtles also love to bask, which is why you will need to fit a heating or basking light onto the tank. There are several basking lights available in stores. When you install the lights, make sure they focus on the land area where the turtle will rest.

Aside from heat, turtles also need UV light rays for their calcium metabolization. UV lamps are also available in stores.

Step 6: Situate the tank in a convenient corner

Do not place the tank beside a window. Even though turtles need natural sunlight, windowpane glasses filter 95% of the UV rays. Exposing the tank water to direct sunlight will also cause algae to grow faster, which means you will have to change the water more frequently.

After you have followed those simple steps, your turtle terrarium is now ready. But before you put in your turtle, test the environment first by letting small fish live in the water for a while. This is to check if the water is clean and free of diseases. If all is OK, you can set your turtle inside the tank.

Pet Turtle Care: Creating Turtle Ponds Can Be Enchanting

2010-05-10T19:34:00.003+07:00

Turtle ponds can be delightful spaces that can enchant the whole family and the entire neighborhood.

Water features are an welcome addition to any backyard; and will likely be attractive to many people. There are many options available when creating a pond environment that it is possible for anyone to transform their backyard into a distinctive showplace. For the person that would like more than the natural elements of the pond, perhaps some aquatic life, then a turtle pond should be considered .

What is Involved with Making a Turtle Pond?

An excellent starting point would be to begin researching what species of turtles will thrive in the area that you live in. It is possible to create a pond for nearly every type of turtle. Even a tortoise, that is considered a "land" turtle will enjoy a shallow pond. The tortoise would most likely not spend the majority of its time swimming in the pond so an adequate amount of land would need to provided for the tortoise. A water turtle like a Red-eared slider will spend the majority of their time swimming in the water, so they would need less land. It would be wise to speak with an associate at a neighborhood pet store or possibly do some research on the internet to determine the right chocies for the species of turtle that will inhabit the mini paradise.

After the selection of the turtle breed is done, the next step would like be the selection of the space or area that you will install the turtle ponds. When creating the pool be sure to make some gradually sloping edges so that the turtles can get in and out of the turtle pond with ease. Rocks or sticks can be used to construct natural looking ramps. Spend some time planning the area for the turtle pond. A well though out design will insure that your turtle pond is the home of happy, healthy turtles. Give thought to the type of liner that will be used. Many breeds of turtles have sharp claws so be sure to select a liner that is thick. The drawback on some of the pre-formed liners is the fact that they have pre-formed shelves or levels which are usually not best suited to turtles. The thinner, more flexible liners can be shaped more easily but are much easier to tear. Look at all the options and make any modifications that will be necessary to make the turtle ponds into a safe environment so that the turtles will thrive in their home.

Protecting The Turtles

It will be important to install fencing around the new turtle ponds. This will prevent any turtles from wandering away, and it will keep any predators out. Remember that turtles are usually small. It is possible that their legs or even their heads could become tangled in the mesh fence. They also dig very well, so frequently check the fencing. Depending on the area, a mesh covering may be needed over the top of the turtle ponds to keeps birds away.

Turtle Ponds and Pond Plants

A really fun part of making turtle ponds is the ability to create a tropical feel. Be careful to select plants that are not toxic. The turtles will likely enjoy a little snacking on the pond plants that are in their new environment. Place some rocks around the edges of turtle ponds to provide the turtles with plenty of opportunity to enjoy a sunny day.

Pet Turtle care: Creating Turtle Ponds

2010-05-10T19:31:00.002+07:00

Ponds are an attractive addition to any yard; and appeal to many people. With so many choices of ponds to create, anyone can make their yard a distinctive showplace. For the individual that not only enjoys the elements in a pond; but would like some aquatic life, consider turtle ponds.

What Does It Take To Make Turtle Ponds?

It may be a good place to start by discovering what type of turtle would be best for your turtle ponds area. A pond can be created for any turtle, including the tortoise which is considered more of a "land" turtle; but, they too enjoy shallow water. A tortoise would not spend most of its time in the water; and would need more land space than a water turtle. The Red-eared slider is an aquatic turtle that spends most of their time in the water. There are other breeds of turtles and speaking with a pet store or going on-line to research other breeds will help narrow down the field on the proper choices for the turtle ponds that you wish to create.

After selecting the breed of turtle, the next step is selecting the space to create the turtle ponds. Turtles need to be able to get out of the pool; so, digging out a pool that has some edges and gradually slopes down may work best for the turtle. Ramps, such as sticks or rocks, can also be used as a means to allow the turtle to leave the pool. Turtle ponds need to be well thought out in order for the turtles to thrive. This includes what kind of liner will be used in the pond. As turtles do have sharp claws, some people prefer the pre-fabricated liners that are thick. The shape of these is already set, and many don't have the varying levels for the turtles to climb out of the water. The regular liners are not very thick and can be ripped; but, they can be formed anyway that is desired. Check into both and determine which will work best for the turtle ponds that will be in your yard.

Protecting The Turtles

It is very important to place fencing around the turtle ponds. Not only will this keep the turtles from wandering off, it can keep predators away from the turtles. Keep in mind that turtles are small and their heads and legs can get trapped in the mesh wiring. They can also dig, so check the fencing frequently to prevent runaways. A wiring may be required over the turtle pond as well to keep birds and even raccoons away.

Plants For The Turtle Ponds

Making turtle ponds have a tropical feel is the fun part. Remember, the turtles will probably enjoy snacking on the plants in its new environment, so verify there is nothing dangerous for the turtle. Use rocks around the turtle's pond to give the turtle lots of choices on places to enjoy the sun.

Turtle ponds are a delightful space that will enchant the entire family and neighborhood.

Pet Turtle Care: What Type of Food Do Turtles Eat

2010-05-10T19:25:00.003+07:00

What do turtles eat? It depends on the type of turtles, how old they are and where they are located. Generally, turtles are carnivores when they are young. However, they turn into omnivores or herbivores when they grow up and mature, depending on their type.

To answer the question "What do turtles eat?" we'll start by listing the common types of turtles and what they like to eat:

While River Cooter turtles feed primarily on plants, Map turtles and Malayan Box turtles eat meat and lots of plants.
American Box turtles feed on anything it gets.
Meat forms the principle diet of the Chinese 3-Striped Box turtles.
The Red-Eared Slider turtles end up being omnivores on maturity after starting off eating bugs and worms when they are young.
Snapping turtles look for small creatures to eat, while most other turtles simply eat plants.
Most turtles eat shellfish, insects, water plants or fish.
To ward off predators, turtles often eat poisonous plants like poisonous rhubarb, ivy and avocado found near their habitat.
Pond turtles in the US eat from a wide list consisting of insects, arthropods, small shellfish, snails, worms and small fish.
Poisonous plants should not be in a pet turtle's diet as the owner may not know which plants they were acclimatized to in their natural surroundings.
What pet turtles should eat is good and healthy food. If you bought the turtle from a pet store, they most likely also sell the food that the turtle eats.
Aquatic turtles eat aquatic aquarium plants, small live fish, dried shrimp and floating turtle pellets found at the pet store.
Land turtles eat special pellets made for land turtles. While some eat worms, others eat fruits, vegetables, and meal worms.
Processed foods with high contents of salt and preservatives run a risk of damaging the turtle's digestive system.
Milk or dairy products can make them sick and should be totally avoided as their stomachs lack the enzyme for breaking down lactose.
Turtles sometimes eat fruits such as bananas, grapes, mangoes, blueberries, apples, strawberries and other citrus fruits.
Turtles can also eat chicken, turkey, cooked fish in small quantities, mealworms, boiled eggs, earthworms, silkworms, shrimps, snails and crickets. Raw meat with too much fat can get contaminated and
should be avoided.
Domestic turtles eat leafy vegetables like carrot tops, fig leaves, red and green lettuce, corn, green bean and peas, beets, squash, okra and plantain weed.
Turtles also love to eat flowers like roses, pansies, petunias, borage, geraniums, carnations, hyssop and nasturtium.
Phosphorus goes with the kind of food preferred by the turtle, but you should take precautions and watch out for the calcium intake and minerals like vitamin D3 in the turtle's diet as they have a direct bearing on its health. Vitamin D3 can be given as a dietary supplement if your turtle is lacking the vitamin. Exposure to sunlight or reptile light also helps in producing it in the turtle's body.

Pet Turtle Care: Useful Tips For a Healthy Diet

2010-05-10T19:20:00.002+07:00

When feeding their pet turtle, owners should take advantage of the fact that turtles are omnivorous animals. This means that feeding turtles should be simple and trouble-free, and may become an enjoyable activity for both you and your pet. First of all, you must know the type of turtle that you have; then you can pick the appropriate turtle diet to obtain your pet's optimum health.

Terrestrial or land turtles must be fed 95% vegetables. These include dark green, leafy vegetables, which should comprise the major portion of the vegetables in your turtle's diet. You may also consider feeding your turtle other vegetables such as collard, radish, turnip, and cut grass; offering lesser amounts of spinach, peas, squash, and clover. The remaining 5% of the turtle diet should be made up of fruits.

If you have Box Turtles, feed the young ones with a majority of meat or animal material, such as slugs, snails, earthworms, spiders, grasshoppers, and beetles. As they mature, you can add such plant material as fruits, berries, leafy vegetables, and seeds to your turtle's diet.

Feeding turtles that are aquatic, on the other hand, requires a different variation of food. You may feed the small ones with shrimps in the shell, slugs, chopped earthworms, chopped mice, and floating food sticks that can be purchased at a pet store. As the turtles mature, however, incorporate their diet with green, leafy vegetables like cabbage, kale, broccoli leaves, cut grass, dandelions, and cut weeds.

If you house your turtles in aquariums or ponds, you may place small fish for them to hunt, as the turtles enjoy doing this. But keep in mind that feeding turtles with small fish should only be done once a week to prevent them from growing obese, a condition that is common among the animals.

The right temperature must also be maintained when feeding turtles in indoor enclosures like tanks, or outdoor ones like pens. The correct temperature helps the turtle properly digest the food that they intake, and also keeps them from acquiring diseases.

Some important signs that your turtles have poor or improper nutrition are:

• They are sluggish or lethargic
• They have a milky fluid in their eyes
• Cloudy patches appear as blotches on their skin

Turtles have the tendency to be messy when they eat. It is imperative that you keep a close monitoring of your pet so that any uneaten food, leftovers, or crumbs are cleaned up promptly. This will prevent the growth of bacteria that can, over time, contaminate the turtle and make its housing filthy.

It is also advisable, when feeding your turtle, to use wide, flat rocks as food dishes instead of the commercially manufactured plastic dishes. These flat rocks create a large, abrasive surface for the turtle's food, and the continuous friction during feeding will protect your pet turtle's beak from breaking, and keep its nails and claws from growing too long. You should always provide your turtles with a separate container of fresh, clean water to drink.

Feeding your turtle in the same area and at the same time every day are two sure and proven methods to gain its trust. Be sure to be quiet and calm when you approach your pet, so as not to startle or stress it out. With practice, you may even find your turtle waiting for you at meal times!

Pet Turtle Care: How to Cook Snapping Turtle

2010-05-10T19:16:00.003+07:00

Where I grew up in south Louisiana, we saw plenty of snapping turtles, but most of us never thought to eat one. Maybe it's because we were blessed with having so many crawfish around, which were much easier--and less dangerous!--to catch and cook.

Nevertheless, occasionally one of my readers has asked me how to cook a snapping turtle. So, if you happen to find one of these rather nasty looking critters in your fishing net, or have one packed away inside your freezer, here's a great way to prepare it.

By the way, snapping turtle is actually quite delicious!

Assuming you have a live snapper on your hands, the first step, of course, is to kill it. Don some gloves, grab a sharp knife, and cut off the turtle's head as quickly and cleanly as possible. There will be blood, of course, which you should allow to run down the drain of your sink until the flow has slowed considerably.

Now drop the turtle's body, shell and all (except the head, of course) into a big pot of boiling water. Boil for 8 minutes. This is mainly to make cleaning it easier.

Remove the turtle from the pot and allow it to cool sufficiently to be able to handle it. Take your sharp knife and cut away the plastron, or lower shell. Remove the intestines and other organs. Now cut the good stuff, the meat, away from the top shell; be sure to include the legs and tail, which are the best-tasting parts (the skin should come off of these easily after boiling).

You can cook turtle meat, whether from a snapper or some other species, in many different ways. My favorite is this snapping turtle stew:

1. Cut the turtle meat into cubes.

2. Begin browning the meat in a hot frying pan with cooking oil. Add a chopped onion, one or two chopped cloves of garlic and continue cooking until the meat is browned all over.

3. Drain the oil from the frying pan. Remove the meat, onion and garlic and place them in a saucepan (one with a lid). Add 2 cans of tomatoes and 4 sliced or chopped potatoes, some salt and pepper, and enough water to cover everything.

4. Cover the saucepan and cook at a strong simmer for 40 to 50 minutes.

5. Enjoy!

Article Source: Sarah Sandori

Pet Turtle Care: Theft of Turtle Eggs Threaten Sea Turtle Existence

2010-05-10T19:06:00.004+07:00

At one time there were several million sea turtles, however the present population has now waned to less than 200,000. These reptiles, whose ancestors evolved on land and returned to the ocean 150 million years ago, the time the dinosaurs roamed this planet, are now heading towards the same extinction. Here in South Florida, the loggerhead population has decreased by 41% since 1998, and they are now under the protection of the Federal Endangered Species Act of 1973. Included in this law is the protection of turtle eggs which when violated is a third-degree felony, punishable by up to five years in prison.

Sea turtles are perfectly adapted to life in the ocean with shells lighter than their land counterparts and the front and rear appendages are flippers which help them to swim fast and for long distances. Surprising to most of us, sea turtles have been clocked swimming up to 35 mph, close to the speed of a racing greyhound. These turtles only need to swim to the surface every few minutes to breathe. At night when they sleep, turtles can stay underwater for two hours without the need to take a breath because turtles have a higher concentration of carbon dioxide, and they are capable of using oxygen more efficiently. Juvenile turtles, however are not able to do that and float above the surface while asleep.

Yesterday, a homeless man, Bruce Wayne Bivens headed to jail after he was arrested for carrying a sack which he threw into the Intercoastal Waterway when he was spotted by the police. In the bag were 119 turtle eggs. A licensed biologist headed to the beach area to rebury 104 of the eggs, and the remaining 15 eggs would be kept for evidence and DNA testing. Turtle eggs are in high demand on the streets worth more than $2.00 each. Poachers use the turtle tracks the females will leave after laying their eggs and returning to the ocean.

The eggs have been advertised on black markets to boost male potency and are usually served raw in a parfait glass. Allegedly the claims that the protein when eaten four times a day will improve a man's sex life creates a huge demand and with ties to organized crime in Mexico, the turtle egg market demand is bursting at the seams. Turtles have also been hunted for their shells and used for jewelry; their skins used for leather goods; meat and eggs used for food and their fat used for oil.

The eggs are also sold with claims they can prevent and cure health problems, however scientific data reports sea turtle eggs very high in cholesterol, little nutritional value and to contain extremely high levels of the toxins cadmium and mercury at rates much higher than what is deemed safe by the US Food and Drug Administration.

Turtle eggs have a two month incubation term with the temperature of the eggs during their incubation influencing the sex of the turtles - male baby turtles often found deeper in the nest with the cooler sand. A group effort has to occur as the baby turtles chip away at their shells with a "egg tooth" - a hard, temporary protuberance on their beaks.

Together it takes all of the hatchlings a day or so to dig their way out of the nest, and they only dig at night stopping their work when the sand temperatures rise and daylight appears. Artificial light from streetlamps and condos has confused many baby turtles often causing their demise. Many are eaten by crabs or get lost on their way to the ocean or once in the water may get eaten by a shark or other carnivorous fish. Statistically only one in a thousand baby turtles survive until adulthood.

As conservationists and responsible stewards of all life, tougher laws and stricter enforcement is needed to bring back a safe population of these ancient creatures. Poachers and hunters need to be held accountable. There needs to be more social marketing and awareness campaigns. It is our job to protect life, and it is our job to guarantee that our children and grandchildren will have the same awe inspiring looks on their faces as we did when we first had the privilege to watch these turtles live exactly as they did 150 million years ago.

Article Source: Cheryl Hanna

Pet Turtle Care: Turtle Mating

2010-05-10T19:03:00.002+07:00

Do You Know When, How, and What to Do?

Turtle mating occurs at specific times of year, and under specific conditions. Following are some of the most frequently asked questions regarding turtle mating:

Should I have a separate enclosure for my turtles when they are going to mate?

Yes, if you have either:

• More than one male turtle per female
• Several pairs of mating turtles

One important consideration regarding turtle reproduction is that you should never allow the number of males to outnumber the females, because the males' sexual demands may result in the females' ill health. Male turtles may fight each other over a female. For this reason, the males may become injured if they are allowed to remain in the same enclosure. It is therefore advisable to allow only one mating pair per enclosure.

When is the best time for turtle mating?

Experienced turtle owners have discovered that turtles are more sexually stimulated after hibernation, which usually ends in the late spring. As an owner, you may aid your turtles to "get in the mood" for reproduction by sprinkling their outdoor housing with water using a hose, in order to simulate the rain that normally falls in springtime. The onset of longer days and warmer air temperatures will also stimulate the turtles' desire to mate.

What are the common signs that turtles are ready for mating?

Novice turtle owners may worry if they notice their turtles shoving or butting one another. This is the normal behavior of male turtles prior to reproduction, because they are genetically programmed to fight over the female. Although this behavior is expected prior to mating, it is still your responsibility, as a good turtle owner, to make sure that you separate fighting male turtles before one of them gets badly injured.

How do turtles mate?

It is typical for the male turtle to charge the female turtle when it is about to mount and start mating with her. The male may also make sounds, such as groaning or hissing. The female, however, usually appears completely normal and disinterested, like she is just resting or basking. As the mating process generally takes several hours, the female turtle may have the tendency to get so impatient that she wanders off to a different area to do something else, all the while with the male still attached to her! Many times the attached male will flip over to his back, and be dragged by the female. While a novice owner might feel that the male is being harmed, this is not the case. This is natural behavior for the turtles.

What should I know about my pet turtles regarding laying eggs?

Some novice turtle owners may be surprised to find their newly purchased female turtle is laying eggs without mating. This is due to the fact that female turtles can retain or carry sperm for periods of three or four years post mating. Thus, if you have acquired an adult female turtle, there is a possibility that your pet has already mated prior to your ownership.

What are the common signs that my pet turtle is ready to lay eggs?

The female turtle is often restless and will spend extensive time soaking in water prior to laying her eggs. She may also pace about nervously, and practice making nests. The actual egg-laying process will take several hours to complete.

What should I do to ensure that my pet turtle lays her eggs successfully?

You can help your pet turtle by making sure that her eggs are well-protected. If there are a number of turtles in the area, you should remove and incubate the eggs to keep them from being damaged. (You must never turn these eggs upside down as you remove them, as this may kill the future hatchling. Gently mark the top of the egg with a felt pen before you move them from the nest, so that you are sure to incubate the eggs right-side up. You must also make sure that the turtle has an area for nesting on dry land, so it will not lay its eggs in the water, which can be hazardous for the eggs.

Whether your pets are just in the process of fighting over the females, in the throws of actual turtle mating, or laying their eggs, it is your responsibility to monitor or watch over them to ensure their safety and health.

Pet Turtle Care: Happy and Healthy Turtles Can Be Easy

2010-05-10T19:01:00.002+07:00

The care of pet turtles can be simple and fun but requires some forethought and planning, much like any other pet.

There are different kinds of turtles you can look into owning, including aquatic turtles (for example, sliders and painted turtles) and terrestrial turtles (box turtles, tortoises, etc.). To ensure the proper care of pet turtles, you need to pick a turtle that is most suited to your own household and your ability to provide it a good life.

Main concerns of a turtle keeper:

1. Enclosure/housing
2. Diet/food
3. Lighting

Lighting? Yes, lighting. Turtles require UV-B lighting for proper shell development. That is why you see them sitting on logs in the wild basking in the sun. This lighting can be provided by UV bulbs designed especially for reptile use. Mercury vapor bulbs are now available that will provide both the UV-B lighting and the heat required. Eliminating the need for a separate heat lamp.

Another important part of the care of pet turtles is diet. Most pet turtles' diets can include fresh vegetables, romaine lettuce being one of the most popular choices. (Avoid iceberg lettuce, it has limited food value and can cause digestive issues in some turtles.)

Other foods that are good for certain turtles are earthworms, cut pieces of fresh fish, cantaloupe and dandelion greens.

Proper enclosures are dependent on what kind of turtles you intend to keep. Aquatic turtles need water that is deep enough to swim in as well as a dry area for basking under a UV light. terrestrial turtles do not need water to swim in but some clean water to drink is vital for the proper care of pet turtles.

While turtles are easier to care for than certain kinds of pets, they do still need love and attention as well as the proper environment and diet to be able to have a healthy life. Depending on the type of turtle you choose you will need to do a bit of research in order to know what kind of environment that they need to live in and what they require for food.

Keeping turtles doesn't have to be difficult. It can be simple and fun...with a little research and some good information you'll be well on your way.

For even more information: Care of pet turtles!

There are many good resources available on-line regarding the care of pet turtles. It's important to have the right info in order to keep your turtles happy and healthy. Having the correct knowledge could save your turtle's life!

Pet Turtle Care: Purchasing Pet Turtles

2010-05-10T18:58:00.003+07:00

Sorting Through the Confusion of Buying Pet Turtles

My family and I have purchased and currently keep pet turtles and it has been fun and a great learning experience for us all. Getting information on purchasing pet turtles is very important before making the leap of having a turtle in your home. There are some excellent places to purchase pet turtles, however, make sure you buy from someone who knows what they are doing. You can find turtles at pet stores but in many cases the people working there are not experts on turtle care. Ask a few questions to get a feel for how much expertise they actually have and use your best judgment. If it is obvious they lack good information about the turtles they sell, move on. The advent of the internet has provided a vast source of good information and is great for research.

One of the most important things to think about when choosing what kind of turtle to buy is if you can provide the proper enclosure and equipment for the species you are considering. Aquatic turtles require enough water volume to swim. Red eared sliders are probably the most common. Painted turtles are similar in behavior to the sliders. Painted turtles will quickly learn to recognize their keepers and come to feeding.

Tortoises are a great example of a dry land turtle and some species stay quite small and can make great pets. Some even have similar requirements to humans in regard to temperature and humidity and can do very well as "apartment" pets. Purchasing pet turtles requires a commitment from the new turtle owner. You have to be prepared to provide the proper habitat, diet and care. Research is essential in order to provide a happy and healthy life for the turtle you choose.

Keeping turtles doesn't have to be difficult. It can be simple and fun...with a little research and some good information you'll be well on your way.

Article Source: Matt Maldanado

Pet Turtle Care: Pet Painted Turtle Care

2010-05-10T18:56:00.003+07:00

Painted Turtle Care Made Simple and Fun

Pet Painted Turtle care can be simple and fun if you have the right knowledge and equipment.

My family and I keep painted turtles as pets and it has been a great experience for us. A little research can go a long way in providing proper pet Painted Turtle care. Read on to get started in the right direction.

All Painted Turtles are aquatic which means they spend a good deal of their time in the water. Its very important that the turtles have enough water in which to swim. A large plastic tub works great as do decent sized aquariums. A shallow dish of water just is not enough.

The water must be at the correct temperature and can be heated by an aquarium type heater.

The water also must be filtered. (Turtles are messy eaters and big poopers). A good filter will be necessary to keep the water clean. Frequent water changes are also a good idea. We change out a third to a half of the water in our turtle tank twice a week.

Besides water to swim in your pets also need a place to get out of the water and dry off and to "bask" under a UV lamp.

A stack of rocks that is easy for the turtles to climb on can work for this basking area.

Another easy way to provide a dry spot for your pets is to buy one of the many "turtle ramps" that are available at pet stores or on-line. We use one that attaches to the side of the tank with big suction cups. It is easy for the turtles to climb on and it is very easy to clean.

UV lighting is absolutely necessary for good pet painted turtle care. In the wild they get this from the sun. That is why you see painted turtles sitting (basking) on logs on sunny days. They also love heat and the basking surface in you turtle tank/enclosure should have a temperature of between 90 and 95 degrees F.

Keeping turtles doesn't have to be difficult. It can be simple and fun...with a little research and some good information you'll be well on your way. My family and I keep painted turtles as pets and they have been a wonderful and fun addition to our household.

Pet Turtle Care: What Do Turtles Eat and Drink

2010-05-10T18:53:00.003+07:00

What Everyone Should Know About Turtle's Diets

Most people know what turtles are. Little shell backed reptiles that often live in lakes, streams and dank vegetation. When asked what do turtles eat and drink these same people are far less knowledgeable.

Turtles are kind of an exotic pet. They are not as widely understood as dogs, cats and other more common house pets. Turtles eat different kinds of foods than the main stream pets, but they require a balanced diet none the less.

What Do Turtles Eat?

For proteins turtles will eat just about anything they can catch and subdue. Good examples are insects, like worms, slugs, certain spiders and flying insects.

Depending on the size of the turtle it may even go for larger prey. Some land turtles have been known to eat small mice and frogs. Turtles will eat just about anything that is edible.

Most turtles prefer to eat in water. This is not only because they feel more at home, but the water aids their oral digestion. Turtles do not produce saliva, so the water acts as a way of breaking food up easier for digestion.

Aquatics are often known to hunt small fish. Minnows, crayfish, goldfish and anything else in the "feeder fish" section of the pet store make tasty protein packed turtle treats.

All turtles need a lot of vegetation for essential vitamins and minerals. With the exception of baby turtles most adults have at least 60% of their diet as plant life. Adolescent turtles are mostly carnivorous. It is believed that they are stock piling protein for growth production and shell development.

Most people who own pet turtles feed them a variety of vegetables. These include carrots, sweet potatoes, yams, collard greens, green beans and most other vegetables.

Fruits such as bananas, apples, berries and peaches can make great snacks. These should only be served as treats due to the high levels of natural sugar. Stick to a high vegetable diet.

What Do turtles drink?

Turtles drink the very water they swim in. While swimming or wading they simply drink in a gulp. In nature, all the good bacteria in the water naturally filters out most toxins produced by animal waste. However, in a home tank, a turtle owner must make sure the water is cleaned regularly.

Even if you only own one turtle in a large tank, turtles make a mess with their waste. They usually defecate while eating and they eat in the water. This means that they are defecating in their water frequently.

Once feces and urine are broken down in water they create ammonia, a toxic substance that can cause skin irritation, illness and even death. If the water is not changed a few times a week this could have your pet drinking and swimming in toxic waste.

This is a very broad outline. Turtles are rather versatile animals as far as their diet is concerned. The simplest answer to what do turtles eat and drink would be what ever is around them. In nature turtles can turn just about anything edible into a meal. As a pet a turtle must be provided the same varied diet they would find in nature.

Pet Turtle Care: 3 Things You Must Do When Setting Up a Pet Turtle's Home

2010-05-03T12:59:00.003+07:00

If you plan to acquire a turtle as a pet you are sure to be pleased with this new addition to your household. Just remember turtles are the kind of pets you spend most of your time watching and not handling. These animals do need some special attention and you should learn the basics about pet turtle care before you bring one home. Here are 3 tips that will help you establish the perfect environment for a turtle.

1. Choose the Setting

You should make certain that you prepare the right type of home for your new turtle. This depends a lot on the species that you select as well as their size and their habits.

Turtles are fairly adaptable but they still are happiest in a setting that suits them. You can set up a glass terrarium by using any aquarium. Some turtle owners will even use a box or a goldfish bowl to house their new pet. One of the best homes for turtles is created outdoors with a wire pen.

If you choose an aquarium/terrarium for your turtle's new home it will give him room to move around and protect him from any predators. You can also watch your pet and observe his unique habits. This is a good home for all types of turtles.

A heavy box is an inexpensive choice and when the box becomes soiled you can always discard it and get a new one. However, it will not provide a great deal of protection if you have a dog or cat that wants to pay a call on the turtle. A goldfish bowl is also inexpensive, and easy to clean. However, a goldfish bowl is not a good choice for most turtles because there is not enough room for them to move around. Some people have even tried to put turtles in a fishbowl that is filled with water. Listen closely, turtles are not fish and they cannot swim 24 hours a day. You will drown your turtle if they do not have rocks or wood to climb on so they can come out of the water and rest.

An outdoor pen is an excellent home for turtles if you remember to follow a few simple rules. The pen must have wire in the bottom as well as along the sides so that the turtle can not burrow his way free and become exposed to predators and other dangers. You will have to clean this outdoor home on a regular basis to keep your turtle safe and healthy. The wire you use must be strong enough to provide protection for your turtle and the holes should be spaced closely together.

2. Basic Necessities

Turtles need fresh water daily. They should have water for both drinking and swimming. Flat bottomed containers that are weighted are good to use for a turtle. This will help prevent any accidental spills as the turtle climbs and crawls about in his home. Water should be changed every day and any container that you are using needs to be thoroughly cleaned. For proper pet turtle care you must have separate feeding and watering containers. Turtles can be given earthworms, lettuce, chopped carrots and commercial food preparations, but you need to make sure that they get enough calcium in their diet.

3. Extras

Turtles like to hide and a piece of hollow wood that they can climb into gives them a nice, private cave that they can call home. These hollow logs can be purchased at most pet stores. Clean straw is another nice touch that makes the turtle's environment more welcoming. Check at the pet store and see what they have in stock. If you want to make sure that you are giving your turtle good care you should also include proper lighting and temperature. These cold blooded animals will benefit from having consistency in their environment.

Pet Turtle Care: Turtle Breeding Do's and Don'ts

2010-05-03T12:49:00.002+07:00

Breeding turtles, of course requires a pair of sexually mature turtles: The male turtle should be about three years old, while the female turtle should be approximately five. More importantly, make sure you are breeding only healthy turtles. You will observe that they do not eat much during mating, so you must see to it that they have already taken the proper amount of food and vitamins, such as calcium and D3. As you prepare for turtle breeding, make sure that you are ready. This is one challenging task.

Normally, turtle breeding begins in the fall. Therefore, it is highly recommended that you prepare the turtles you wish to breed by "winter cooling" them in January and February. This winter cooling process, which means keeping the turtles at a temperature between 50 to 60 °F, takes about six to eight weeks. Leave them alone during this time. After this six to eight week period, bring the temperature back up to normal. Turtle breeding is best accomplished outdoors, but if you have no choice, you can still do it inside. The key here is to provide the turtles with a nesting area, which is a box or a hole that is 12 to 16 inches deep, filled with moist soil and sand.

Check the nesting area regularly, especially on grey or rainy afternoons. This is the type of weather the turtles usually prefer to lay their eggs. The eggs should be uncovered gently and marked with a felt pen on the uppermost point of the egg before removing. Place them in an incubation container, the next step after turtle breeding.

During the incubation, the eggs must be positioned in such a way that the marks you made are facing upwards. For the incubation medium, use vermiculite mixed with water (at a ratio of 1:1 by weight). Place this in an ice cream container, covered and half-filled. This mixture of vermiculite and water should be moist (with a humidity level of approximately 90%). Make sure that the incubation medium does not become too saturated or wet, because this may cause the eggs to rot. On the other hand, without sufficient moisture, the eggs will dry up. You must carefully monitor the humidity level during this very delicate incubation period.

Place the eggs slightly buried for easy monitoring. Test the moisture content of the mixture with your fingers every third day. If you feel that it is drying out, spray two to three light mist sprays over the eggs. Control yourself! Do not be tempted to turn the eggs, and be careful when removing the cover. The 'banding up' or calcifying of the eggs will start in 24 hours, normally beginning from the center and working outwards.

Do not panic when you see 'windows' or uncalcified patches on the shells, because these may be present in viable or non-viable eggs. However, if you do notice that there are eggs with a slimy or moldy appearance, immediately take them out, because they may have mold or fungus that could easily spread to other viable eggs.

If you see eggs with cracks during the beginning stages of incubation, you can try to repair them by wiping a thin amount of silicone sealant gently over the crack. Hopefully, if done correctly, this will prevent fluid leakage, as well as stopping the egg from becoming completely desiccated prior to successful incubation.

Pet Turtle Care: Turtle Facts, Habitat, and Care

2010-05-03T07:59:00.003+07:00

Turtles are a species of reptiles commonly kept as pets. Among the most popular types of pet turtles are Russian Tortoises, Spur Thighed Tortoises, and Red Eared Sliders. They can be fascinating to watch, and may even seem harmless. However, turtles can and do bite, and they can carry salmonella; thus, they may not be safe to keep as house pets, particularly for those families with young children. However, with proper care and knowledge, you should be able to become a turtle owner and safely enjoy your pet. So before you decide to purchase a pet turtle, you should first educate yourself about its habitat and care.

Turtles and tortoises can be found anywhere (except in Antarctica)-in rivers, forests, lakes, oceans, grasslands, and deserts. They belong to the taxonomical order Testudines, in the sub-group Chelonia, and are referred to as chelonians. Chelonians are distinctive due to their round, hard shells, four legs, and tails. Moreover, they have scales, they lay eggs, and they are ectothermic, which means that their body temperature is dependent upon their external environment.

The largest chelonian today is the Great Leatherback Sea Turtle, and the smallest is the Speckled Padloper Tortoise of South Africa. The largest turtle ever was the Archelon Ischyros, which measured more than 13.5 feet long and 16 feet wide from flipper to flipper. Turtles are known for drawing their necks in whenever they sense danger. Their colors vary from species to species. What is common, though, is the presence of a streamlined shell to enable them to swim with ease. They have no teeth. Instead, they use their beaks to break up food. People handling pet turtles should not get too close to their beaks because they are often as sharp as knives.

If you think turtles and tortoises have no skin on top of their structures you are wrong. The external coating of the shell is actually a skin. They may be reptiles, but turtles, as well as tortoises and terrapins, do not molt their skins in one large piece. They molt piece by piece. All turtles have limbs, but they differ in one thing: Amphibious turtles have webbed feet, while sea turtles have flippers. Turtles are likely to take many years before they reach their breeding age. Female turtles produce soft-shelled and flexible eggs. Their albumen is white and has a different protein than bird eggs. For some turtle species, temperature dictates whether the egg will develop into a male or a female. Higher temperatures result in decreased incubation time and more female hatchlings. Large numbers of eggs are placed in holes dug into the mud or sand, then left covered and untended to incubate. When the newborns hatch, they must struggle on their own to get back into the water in order to survive.

Ownership of turtles requires commitment. It is a responsibility that must be taken seriously or it will cause the death of an unfortunate turtle. Turtles require proper housing, temperature, nutrition, and environment, among other things. Pet owners must, for their own safety, be knowledgeable on how to properly care for and handle turtles and tortoises in order to prevent themselves from catching diseases that might make them very sick or even cause death. As mentioned earlier, turtles can carry salmonella, bacteria that can be transmitted through casual contact. This can cause the human disease salmonellosis, a serious infection of the gastrointestinal tract.

Pet Turtle Care: How to Look After a Pet Turtle

2010-05-03T07:54:00.002+07:00

If your considering getting a pet turtle or maybe you've already got one and realized they are a lot more work than you thought they would be! There are many varieties of turtles, but they can be broken down into those that prefer completely wet habitats and those that require dry habitats. Whichever kind of pet turtle you choose, you need to know how to care for your specific turtle so it can have a good quality of life.

Depending on if you have an aquatic turtle or a more land loving creature, your going to need to create different habitats and different pet turtle care steps need to be taken. Aquatic turtles obviously spend alot of time underwater and vice versa, so make sure your turtle habitat meets these requirements by having the right balance of land to water.

The Best Type Of Turtle For Your Home: Semi-aquatic turtles make excellent pets to have in your home. They need both an area to swim around in and a basking ground with plenty of sunshine (or a UV lamp) in the enclosures. The temperature of the environment needs to be carefully regulated. The water should be kept cooler than the rest of the habitat and will need to be cleaned regularly.

Life Expectancy: A lot of people forget that turtles have quite a long life expectancy, some breeds live for many decades while some can even go up to a hundred years! So make sure you get along, your friend will be around a while!

Turtle Diseases and Health: They are prone to various diseases so make sure to carefully note any changes in their behavior. Give special attention to the condition of their shell, as this is usually an indicator if something is wrong with your turtle. They need plenty of fresh vegetables to eat and a shallow bowl of fresh drinking water available to them at all times.

What They Love To Eat: Turtles are hungry little guys and they're very messy eaters! They will eat worms, small chunks of meat, and small leaves. For bigger turtles, fish, raw vegetables, frogs, bugs, consist of their main diet.

If you're having trouble getting them to eat, feed them something different or something smaller. A variety of fresh vegetables is also needed and makes up the bigger part of their diet. They may have eating problems because they're not digesting properly. Having a light for heat is essential because turtles require heat and sunlight to properly digest food and help develop their shells.

A good feeding tip is to make sure you feed them in a separate plate from their habitat, else the habitat will get very messy.

Pet Turtle Care: The Largest Turtle in the World - Is it Too Late to Save the Leatherback?

2010-05-03T07:51:00.002+07:00

Classified as critically endangered, the world's largest turtle is the leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea). The largest leatherback had a recorded weight of over 1 ton! The Leatherback Turtle is so named because it has no distinctive bony plates on its upper shell; rather, its carapace is flexible, and covered with a thin layer of leathery skin. Dark in color with white and pink spots, a leatherback turtle can be easily recognized because of its seven fine ridges lining the length of the carapace and, of course, because of its large front flippers.

Leatherbacks are found in the tropical and sub-tropical waters of the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans. In the United States they are seen in southeastern Florida; in the Caribbean, they are found on Culebra Island, Puerto Rico, and St. Croix. They can submerge up to 4,922 feet in order to search for soft-bodied prey such as jellyfish. World-wide harvesting of the leatherback's eggs has led to a massive decline in their population. As we have so sadly learned, our ecosystem is co-dependent and very delicately balanced. The over-harvesting of eggs has led to an increase in the jellyfish population, which can then harm power plants, clog boat motors, and can seriously injure, or in some cases kill swimmers in the shallow ocean waters.

Once the male hatchling enters the water, it never leaves. Only the female leatherbacks leave the water and crawl onto land to nest. As with other aquatic turtles, mating takes place at sea. To gain the female's acceptance, the male leatherback makes head, flipper, and biting movements. Interestingly, female leatherbacks can mate every two to three years, and leatherbacks can breed and nest every year. The nesting seasons of this largest turtle depend on its location. Leatherbacks native to Parismina, Costa Rica nest from February to July, while turtles native to French Guiana nest from March to August. While other female turtles always return to the same beach from which they hatched to lay their eggs, female leatherback turtles can switch to another beach in the same general region.

Female leatherback turtles create a nest above the high tide line by digging into the sand with their flippers. One female leatherback turtle has the capacity to lay as many as nine clutches in one breeding season. One clutch contains approximately 110 eggs, of which 85% are viable. The eggs take an estimated 60 to 70 days to hatch. After hatching, the newborns must avoid land and air predators by themselves, and crawl back into the water to survive. Of those fortunate enough to make it back into the water, most will die, either from drowning or from other predators in the air and water.

Leatherback sea turtles have been in existence for 150 million years. Sadly however, their fate is now similar to that of many other turtles and tortoises - they are in critical danger of extinction. From 91,000 known nesting female leatherbacks in the Pacific Ocean, the number is down to an alarming low of 5,000.

It is urgent that we realize the need to take care of these wonderful creatures. If leatherback turtles disappear, it will surely have a terrible effect on our fragile ecosystem. Should we not be able to stave off the extinction of this turtle, scientists predict the subsequent domino effect - the extinction of a host of other marine species. For this reason, there are federal and state laws that cover the life of the world's largest turtle. These laws must be strictly followed and enforced to make sure of the continued existence of the leatherback. It is not enough that the great leatherback be seen only in pictures. We must assure that this magnificent creature can be seen in the wild by future generations.

Pet Turtle Care: Food to Offer a Baby Turtle

2010-05-03T07:49:00.003+07:00

Turtles are one of the cutest pets that you can have that you can't cuddle with. They are small and when they are babies they are so cute and of course slow! Learning how to take care of a new baby turtle is not common knowledge because they are not popular pets. It's easy to know what to do with dogs and cats because almost everyone has one or the other and they pass the information down to other people.

When taking care of new turtles the first thing you will need to know is how and what to feed them to keep them healthy. There is a variety of turtle foods that are available in different sizes and shapes and can be made with different ingredients. You can buy flakes and small pellet foods that are sold specifically for baby turtles.

The most common food for turtles that you can purchase are turtle sticks. These are great for any type of turtles including the babies. Water turtles will most likely need to eat the much larger floating pellets - but again they can be given to most other turtles.

One thing that we urge you never use are dried whole shrimp and bugs. The way that these are sold is very questionable and may not be safe for any turtles and especially the babies. There are shrimp pellets that can be used as treats - but not as a main source of food.

In order for your baby turtle to get all of the necessary nutrients and vitamins to stay healthy you can continue to feed them the sticks, flakes, and pellets. They have been made to contain all of these important and healthy nutrients to keep your baby turtle strong and well cared for. You can feed them cooked eggs and poultry as well as the shells.

If you need a slight substitute in the diet than you should consider fish foods. Many fish food have the same types of ingredients as turtle food. Don't even waste your time trying to feed your baby turtle fruits and veggies. They won't eat them. Other foods to stay away from are raw seafood and other raw meats. These contain too much fat and could make them sick with salmonella.

If you have any questions or concerns about what else to feed your baby turtle and where to buy the right turtle food than ask your veterinarian. Your vet will be able to give you all the instructions you need and can answer any questions that you have.

Pet Turtle Care: Basic Baby Turtle Care

2010-05-03T07:47:00.002+07:00

Baby turtle care is quite different from adult turtle care. Babies of any species require a little more attention, and baby turtles are no different.

Wild Baby Turtles

Quite often baby turtles get waylaid or go off course and end up in our backyards, on the street or in other dangerous locations. When we see this, we naturally want to help the baby turtle. When we take a baby turtle out of its environment, however, we become responsible for its care, which can be a demanding project. If you do your research and become educated regarding what a baby turtle will need to thrive, it is your choice whether you want to raise the lost little turtle or not.

The same is true when your adult turtles lay eggs. While it is against the law to sell baby turtles that are less than 4 inches in length, you are well within your rights to raise your own baby turtles.

Caring For A Baby Turtle

Small turtles need space to move around in, but because of their size they can squeeze into areas that can end up being dangerous for them. To guard against this, if you have an outside pen, make sure your turtle pen does not have any areas where a baby turtle can get caught or get out. If you are using a tank, make sure the water filter system is attached on the outside of the tank, maintain a dish of fresh water for drinking, set up an area where the turtle can swim and soak and make sure there is adequate heat.

Baby turtles are smaller and will require special attention when climbing up out of the water or onto a basking platform. Check the turtles' habitat often to make sure nothing is amiss.

You'll also need to feed your baby turtle plenty of protein, along with green plant foods. Feed hatchlings farm-raised worms only, never worms that you found in the wild. If your baby turtle gets parasites from the worms, it may not have enough strength to fight off the parasites, and little can be done to help sick baby turtles. Choose soft-bodied worms such as waxworms and mealworms.

If the turtle pen is located outside, don't leave food dishes or food lying around for several hours, as the rotting food will attract insects. Some insects, such as ants, have the ability to kill a baby turtle.

Turtles And Salmonella

Approximately 90 percent of all reptiles carry the salmonella bacteria. Even if a turtle doesn't appear sick, it can still carry the bacteria in its feces. Follow these tips to avoid salmonella contamination from turtles in your home:

Do not allow baby turtles or any reptile in the home where a child under the age of 5 resides, or anyone who has a compromised immune system
Always thoroughly wash your hands after handling your turtle or any item from the turtle's pen or tank.
Never bring a turtle into the kitchen area or any area where food is being prepared.
Pet stores and veterinarians should provide information to anyone who purchases a reptile, especially a small turtle, or who brings a reptile in for medical evaluation.
If you are expecting a baby, it is advisable to remove all reptiles, especially baby turtles, from your home immediately.

Holding A Baby Turtle

Because a baby turtle's shell is soft, it is possible to harm or kill a baby turtle by holding it incorrectly. If possible, do not pick up a baby turtle at all, and, if you do, make sure you wash your hands with soap and hot water afterwards. If you do pick up your turtle, do so in this manner: hold the turtle like you would hold a hamburger with two hands, or at least with your fingers beneath the turtle's shell and your thumb on the top of the shell not the way you would pick up a hotdog, with just one hand wrapped around it or with fingers on one side of his shell and your thumb on the other. And never squeeze.

Unfortunately, the incorrect way to pick up a turtle is also the easiest way, especially when you have your hands filled with turtle supplies and or turtle food. Alas, the incorrect way can harm the turtle's soft and still forming shell.

Baby Turtle Sales

It is against the law in many areas to sell baby turtles. In the United States, local law enforcement offices and health officials are working with the Food and Drug Administration to help persuade turtle distributors with action that includes, at times, fines of up to $100 for each baby turtle in their possession.

The reason for such vigilance is two-fold. First are the concerns regarding turtles and salmonella. The second reason has to do with the safety of the turtles themselves. Baby turtles are generally purchased illegally through the black market or obtained illegally as an advertising gimmick. Unfortunately, the welfare of the turtles is never taken into consideration, and many die due to mishandling. Even more die when the customer gets tired of taking care of them, passes them on to someone else who also doesn't have a clue how to take care of a turtle or lets them go in the wild. If you or someone you know is aware of illegal sales of baby turtles, turn the responsible party in to local authorities, the Humane Society and the FDA.

Pet Turtle Care: Tips For Raising Healthy Baby Turtles

2010-05-03T07:44:00.002+07:00

The turtle hatchling is very cute and appealing to people, as are many baby animals. Nevertheless, it is illegal to purchase a hatchling turtle throughout the United States of America. (See U.S. Food and Drug Administration Code of Federal Regulations Title 21, Subpart D, Sec. 1240.62--Turtles intrastate and interstate requirements). There are a few exceptions to this law however, for bona fide scientific, educational, or exhibitional purposes. The primary reason for this is because the hatchling turtle is deemed to be a greater risk for Salmonella compared to adult turtles. Turtle hatchlings are most likely to be handled by children who do not necessarily practice good personal hygiene; therefore the turtles' care must be properly and strictly observed.

To begin, you must be committed to caring for your turtle for a long time, as their lifespan is close to that of humans. If you take excellent care of them, they may even outlive you! Interested turtle keepers must first find out the species of turtle they want to keep. Not only must you provide suitable housing and the right kind of food to your pet; you must also know which species of turtle best suits your lifestyle and living conditions. There are some classes of turtle that grow extremely large, and cannot be kept as domesticated animals. Fortunately, there are a good number of turtle species that have docile personalities and grow to a manageable size as adults, making them suitable for captivity. Once you have purchased the turtle most suitable to your needs, you can move on to providing a good habitat for your pet.

Be sure to provide the turtles with a place to bask, swim, and hide, as these are the primary daily activities of your new pet. Not only do turtles enjoy these activities, they are essential to the turtles' overall good health. Turtle hatchlings can be best kept in plastic tubs or aquariums so you can monitor them more closely. Hatchling care requires constant temperature regulation. It is advisable to use a heater to maintain a controlled and sustained warm temperature within the area. If there are no heat or temperature-regulating devices available, place your pet's housing in a location where they can receive abundant natural lighting.

Feeding baby turtles may be the most challenging part of your hatchlings' care. At first, they may not even eat at all, no matter what type of food you offer them! This is just their normal behavior at this stage, so you need not worry too much. Although turtles are omnivorous, the young ones are most likely to behave as largely carnivorous animals. Hatchlings are very picky in the food that they approve of eating. Start off by feeding them small, live insects and worms. As they mature, you may find that their range of food preference also broadens. They then can be fed fruits and vegetables, or even the processed food intended for the mature turtle's diet.

If you are keeping more than one turtle, pay extra attention to your pets, in order to be certain that each one of them maintains optimum health.

If there are children in your household, teach them that observing good personal hygiene is a vital part of their pet hatchlings' care. Turtles have proven to be one of the best animals to keep, and once you get into the rhythm of excellent, responsible care for your hatchlings, you'll be a happy and satisfied turtle owner for years!

Pet Turtle Care: What Do Baby Turtles Eat? - Turtle Feeding Strategies Made Simple

2010-05-03T07:42:00.002+07:00

Turtles require a specific diet to ensure proper health and avoid early fatality. This is an all too common occurrence with pet turtles due to a lack of knowledge about turtle care. What do baby turtles eat? The short answer is protein.

Stock piling plenty of protein is the best way to build strong muscles and immune system. However with all turtles calcium is a must for strong bones and a durable shell. Feeding baby turtles does not have to be difficult, but there are some things to keep in mind.

Juvenile turtles, as pets or in the wild, are mostly carnivorous until they reach maturity. Once they become an adult most of their diet consists of leafy greens, fruits, vegetables and some protein as well. For all turtles young and old calcium is necessary for a nice strong shell and bones.

Fish Food

In captivity young turtles have been known to do well with fish foods. Fish foods are loaded with protein, nutrients and vegetation for an all in one diet. Pet stores sell baby turtle foods and things of this nature, but you can get the same results for much less money with a pond fish or goldfish food.

These specialized products cost quite a bit more and you will not get any better results. Another problem is that they contain more preservatives, which are not good for your baby turtle. They may not necessarily kill the turtle, but too many preservatives are not good for anyone.

Live Proteins

Live proteins are excellent for turtles of any age. Small worms, crickets and other insects will provide a tasty treat that is packed with protein. The fish food is to make sure your turtle gets some protein everyday. If there is a cricket that your turtle is unable to catch right away, you will know that protein has still been provided.

While browsing around your local pet store you may find freeze dried bugs. If you ask someone working there if these are good to feed your turtle they will probably say yes. Do not believe this! Freeze dried bugs lack nutrients and are there for useless. This is the same theory of why everyone will tell you not to feed your turtle iceberg lettuce, because there are very little nutrients. Make sure everything you feed your baby turtle serves a beneficial purpose to its diet and growth.

Turtle pellet and stick foods work as well. The fish food could form an every other feeding regimen, and on the off feeding you could throw in some pellets or a stick. Again lots of protein here. You can find these at your local pet store.

What do baby turtles eat in the wild to stay healthy? Being carnivorous by nature they eat bugs to get that protein boost they need. As your pet you can certainly feed them small worms and bugs, but do not make this the staple of the turtles diet. The fish foods and pellets have other nutrients with the protein to provide a more well balanced diet. With growing, shell production and day to day energy use your baby turtle needs to be eating all the good things it can.

One thing to point out is that if you have an aquatic turtle all food must be given in water. Turtles can not produce saliva, so eating in water aids in their oral digestion. Adults could eat out of water, though they prefer not to, but adolescent turtles need to eat in water. They have a hard time swallowing dry foods and could choke on them.

The quick answer to what to baby turtles eat is a lot of protein, with other essential nutrients thrown in for a balanced diet. Some people prefer buying specialized products for their pet, and that is certainly their right. However, you can save yourself some money and maybe some illnesses or cracked shells by sticking with a good fish food and pellet diet. Throw in some small bugs for a treat and you will have a healthy, happy baby turtle.

Pet Turtle Care: Feeding Your Pet Turtle

2010-05-03T07:39:00.002+07:00

For having pets there are no limitations of age groups. Everyone enjoys their own type of pets. People love to keep cats, dogs, fishes or even turtles as pet animals. Turtles are great pets and many people prefer keeping them.

Feeding your pet turtle is mainly an essential aspect in regards to their health and you will really enjoy feeding activity with your turtle. However before enjoying the feeding activity, you have to learn about turtle diet that is full of nutrition. If you do not feed your turtle, it will keep on hungry. Contrasting with warm blooded pets, turtles are not dependant on their metabolism mechanism.

Usually turtles do not eat easily or readily according to your settled plan. The most important thing is to search out what is mandatory to feed your turtle. Otherwise you will lose your pet turtle. Turtles are timid in nature which is the biggest hindrance in feeding them.

Firstly you have to create a place where you always feed your pet turtle. Throughout the summer, try to feed your pet turtle in the shaded place. One major reason that your turtle may not feed properly is the climate. Turtles do not eat when the weather is too hot.

Turtles Most Favorite Food

Normally turtles love to eat snails, grubs, fallen fruit, flowers, beetles, mushrooms, caterpillars, carrion, grasses, earthworms and berries. Turtles only taste the food which smells safe to eat.

You need to plan your turtles diet according to what it wants to eat; don't take your comfort as it will hinder in the feeding process. Turtle only eats what it likes and feels good to eat. You have to feed all the food stuff in moderation, for keeping your turtle's health.

Keep an eye on your turtle while feeding it and observe what it really likes to eat. If you get succeeded in finding what it really loves to eat then you will be successful for maintaining its health.

For example if your pet turtle likes snails then make a plate of chopped snails and mix it with the berries or some grasses. Otherwise you can also make a plate of snails with flowers and beetles. Try to add up more variety in the food of your turtle. This will give variations in the taste.

You can also feed your pet turtle weekly with a fish. And for giving it an entertainment, you can just leave them with a fish in aquarium and let it eat the fish. This can also be a way of making turtle exercise, because turtles love to hunt.

Balanced Diet is must to feed your pet turtle

You can easily find balanced food items for your pet turtle from normal grocery markets. Usually any type of food stuff can feed well if give in the moderate form. But you need to add up all the essential nutritious items. At one time you can feed it with vegetables, fruits and proteins, while in the next feed you can give it leafy vegetables and mushrooms. This variety in food items gives you pet turtle all the necessary vitamins and minerals for sustaining the better health.

Feed Separately

Feeding your turtle where they live in the box or in the aquarium is not the right way. Always feed them outside their resting place, as it avoids making place messy.

No doubt turtles are interesting pets that give you lots of fun in your daily life. Therefore, you really need to be cautious about the factors that affect your pet turtle's health - most importantly feeding them with nutritional diet.

Pet Turtle Care: Is the Critically Endangered Leatherback Sea Turtle The Most Amazing Animal on Earth?

2010-05-03T07:37:00.002+07:00

The magnificent leatherback turtle has my vote as the most amazing animal on earth.

Like the other remaining species of marine turtle, it left its four-footed land predecessors more than one hundred ten million years ago, developed flippers, and populated the Seven Seas---before there were Seven Seas. Literally before the Seven Seas.

Mother Earth was a very different place way back then.

Although humans look around at the world and think that the rivers, canyons, and mountains we see today have always been there, nothing could be farther from the truth. For example, today's mighty Himalayas, with their tallest mountain in the world, Mount Everest, were not very mighty at all when turtles first entered the oceans. The reason? They did not even exist that long ago. Indeed, it would be another 65,000,000 years before the force of the collision between the subcontinent of India and Asia pushed them to the heavens.

Not only were there not Seven Seas yet, there were only two supercontinents. The southern supercontinent is called "Gondwana" which contained today's Africa, South America, Antarctica, Australia, Arabia, and India, and more.

Antarctica was connected to Australia when the first leatherbacks took to the sea and would not uncouple from it for about thirty million more generations of these sea animals.

South America remained close to West Antarctica, which was temperate in climate. Another 80,000,000 years would go by before Antarctica would have migrated far to the south and turn into the frigid continent we see.

This ancient time spawned these ancient sea turtles.

When the ancestors of today's leatherbacks evolved into sea dwellers, there were no birds in the sky, no elephants, mastodons, mammoths, and not even a tiny mouse because there were no birds or mammals at all on the globe.

For that matter, there were no dinosaurs, either. The mighty Tyrannosaurus Rex would not walk the planet for about four hundred thousand centuries more. Yes, you read it correctly: 400,000 centuries.

Maybe you know that dolphins and whales originated from land animals and went to sea long ago. That is really impressive! Except to a sea turtle. Why? Because leatherbacks were swimming the world's oceans for more than fifty million years before those mighty leviathons---which are closely related to hippopotamus---evolved, left the land, and entered the oceans, too.

Leatherbacks are the largest of all sea turtles and can weigh nearly a ton, like the one caught off Wales that tipped the scales at 1,980 pounds. These magnificent creatures saw the first and last dinosaur, and lived through the world's extinction, and flourished as the planet went from two supercontinents to the seven of today.But, that spectacular ability to adapt is not why they are so amazing.

Consider this: the world marveled, and deservedly so, at Michael Phelps' unbelievable speed when he set a world record in the 200 meter freestyle swim event in Beijing. But, in the time it took him to go that distance, a huge leatherback, weighing about as much as the entire offensive line of a professional football team, would pass the 1,000 meter mark---more than a third of a mile farther than Michael.

In fact, this sea turtle is listed in the 1992 Guinness Book of World Records as the fastest reptile on earth!

It would be a fairer race if the world's fastest man competed against a swimming turtle. The turtle and man would be almost even at the hundred meter mark, and the human might nose out a victory. But, the swimming leatherback would blow away every human runner at 400 meters and farther.

Not only can this ancient being swim five times faster than the fastest human the world has produced, it may also be the world's greatest long-distance swimmer. One of these giants was tracked by scientists migrating 13,000 miles---and that was only to the destination from which it needed to return.

Besides being the world's fastest reptile and maybe the world's greatest long-distance migrator, it is the deepest diving marine turtle on the planet, regularly diving some 4,000 feet underwater. To put that depth into perspective, America's extraordinary nuclear submarines are allowed to operate at a maximum normal operating depth of about 1,600 feet because they'd crush under the sea pressure at 2,400 feet. Man's best technology and strongest metal and composite materials are no match for the diving ability of this ancient reptile.

Leatherbacks are found not only in all tropical and subtropical waters on earth but have been seen as far north as the Arctic Circle, in Alaska, near Quebec, and Norway, and as far south as the Cape of Good Hope and even below New Zealand, in waters as cold as 40°F. Yet, although they are cold blooded reptiles, they remain nice and cozy because they can maintain a body temperature as much as 32°F (18°C) higher than the surrounding water. They do this by having a metabolic rate four times faster than any other sea turtle; a unique internal system that actually generates heat through a very sophisticated mechanism; and their bulk and fat.

Man invented the wet suit in the late twentieth century . These "primitive" animals have had their own a bit longer.

Disgracefully, in the last 30 years, man's rapacious greed and carelessness have decimated the numbers of this magnificent creature. Between 1980 and 2005, the number of leatherback sea turtles in Mexico declined 99% , a catastrophic decline since that country had about two thirds of the world's total leatherbacks.

Mexico should not be singled out because, all across the globe, leatherback populations were collapsing. For example, just a few years ago 10,000 leatherbacks nested in Malaysia each year. In 2008, there were two.

Today, more than a hundred countries, hundreds of conservation organizations, and tens of thousands of volunteers are determined to stem the decline of this magnificent creature but it remains very vulnerable.

Despite laws passed to conserve these creatures their nests are routinely plundered for eggs. Untold numbers die from ingesting plastic bags which look like jellyfish, their primary food. More drown in commercial fishing and shrimp nets which we euphemistically call "incidental catch." We destroy their habitat, build our homes on their beaches and wonder why the sea turtles are going extinct.

Little Costa Rica has taken an active role in sea turtle preservation, setting aside the world's biggest green sea turtle nesting refuge at Tortuguero National Park and preserving Ostional Refuge for the earth's largest arribadas---or olive sea turtle nestings--where up to half a million turtles sometimes come ashore to nest. Increasingly important is Costa Rica ecotourism, with its economic impact.

Pet Turtle Care: Turtle Mating - Why Does the Male Turtle Flutter Its Claws?

2010-05-03T07:35:00.003+07:00

Turtle mating-have you ever wondered how these slow-moving and serene animals procreate?

Thanks to the substantial information that is now available regarding turtles and their anatomy, physiology, quirks and oddities, we now know quite a lot about how they mate.

The languid turtles have limbs that are comparable to those of tortoises, but the turtles' feet have elongated claws. Their long claws serve them in mounting logs in order to bask in the sun, an activity that they seem to enjoy, and which is essential to their thermoregulation. Their long claws also come in handy when they move or clamber from one place to another on land. Did you know, however, that these long claws also serve a purpose in mating?

Before the actual mating happens, male turtles will usually fight over a female. This "courtship stage" among the competing males can last up to forty-five minutes. The bigger male would normally be aggressive, and display its dominance towards the other turtles by fighting and clawing at their faces. There are also some classes of turtles, such as the Red-Eared Slider, which mate underwater. When the dominant turtle finally establishes its superiority among the other male turtles, it will then scuttle over or swim towards the female to mount her and begin mating--that is, if the female is receptive to him! If not, she may become aggressive towards him. Turtle mating ranges from ten minutes to several hours.

If the female accepts the advance of the dominant male, the male will use his long claws in a seemingly odd manner. Just prior to mounting the female, the male turtle will begin to flutter his claws in a vibrating motion on the female's face. Sometimes the turtle will also do the same waving gesture on the female's head. Generally, it is the back side of its claws that the male turtle uses during this behavior. A turtle owner, who had personally witnessed this behavior, added that after the male had asserted his dominance over the other males, his biggest male turtle began stroking the female's nose using its claws. Within minutes, the female turtle had allowed the male turtle to mount her for mating.

Some experts claim that male turtles do this in order to stimulate the female for mating, while others state that this behavior is the male's natural manifestation of excitement.

Pet Turtle Care: Exceptional Characteristics of Various Turtles

2010-05-03T07:32:00.002+07:00

If you have a pet turtle or you are an avid turtle enthusiast, then you do not only know the basic things and information about this shelled animal but also its exceptional characteristics. Turtles, specifically the marine species, inhabit saline, brackish and fresh waters. Sea turtles have firm beak-like mouths that they need to tear foods. They have bigger shells, strong flippers and lungs to breathe while in the ocean.

Here are some varieties of pet turtle species. The loggerhead turtles are vertebral. They usually grow up to 95 centimeters at 55 kilograms weight. The loggerheads carry three intra-marginal scute pairs. They have fore-flippers in, a pair of claws, sturdy jaws and a bigger head. They are carnivorous turtles and the males have longer and thicker tails with thinner shells.

Another pet turtle species is known as the green marine turtle. This species is called as such due to the green-colored fat in their bodies. These creatures are generally omnivorous. Green turtles can develop up to 120 centimeters. They can also weigh up to 150 kilograms in weight. Green sea turtles have black colored hatchlings. When they turn older, they usually become brown. Their foreheads have a pair of scales. They also have claws on their fore-flipper as well as jagged claws.

Of the pet turtle species, the black sea turtle are species that carry a claw on each flipper. They have black markings which is why these are called with such name. They have jagged jaws. Black turtles can reach the length of 117 centimeters. They can weigh up to 126 kilograms and are primarily omnivores.

The leatherback turtle is not one of the regular pet turtle species. Leatherbacks are the largest of the sea turtle species. They have black or blue bodies with pink or white patches. They grow up to 210 centimeters long and weigh as heavy as 900 kilograms. These species have leathery and smooth skin. Similar to loggerheads, they are also carnivorous turtles. Leatherbacks have claws and serrated jaws. The can tolerate different temperatures in the ocean.

Olive ridley turtles are another pet turtle species which have gray-brown hatchlings. The olive green color is obtained when they grow older. If the leatherbacks are the biggest, the olive ridleys are the tiniest of sea turtles, growing to merely grow at 70 centimeters with a 50 kilogram weight. Also, they have up to 9 lateral scutes and nearly round shells.

Pet Turtle Care: How Big is the Loggerhead Sea Turtle?

2010-04-27T11:00:00.002+07:00

Pet Turtle Care

The only living member of the genus Caretta, the Loggerhead sea turtle can grow up to an intimidating 364 kg and 1.1 metres long. The species is so named for the turtle's over-large head punctuated by a set of strong jaws suitable for feeding on a wide range of sea life from mollusks (whelks and conch) to crustaceans (crabs and shrimp) to fish and jellyfish. They have also been known to consume small or immature marine animals such as sea birds and mammals.

Loggerheads have a large habitat ranging from the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans to the Indian Ocean. Atlantic migratory routes span from Newfoundland to Argentina with breeding and reproduction taking place in the warm waters of the southern hemisphere. Some Loggerheads are known to hibernate rather than pursue the challenging migratory patterns. For females this is most likely in the 2-3 year period between egg cycles.

The mating season spans several months - from March to June - and female egg laying continues into September. The nesting female will lay up to 150 eggs in deep nests which she digs in the soft sand of the same beach where she hatched 35 or more years earlier. She uses her flippers to cover the eggs, forming a protective mound that keeps the eggs safe from beach-going predators much, but not all, of the time. The tiny hatchings, which weigh about 20 grams and measure a scant 45 mm in length, emerge after a two-month incubation period. Those that make it from nest to sea and through the surf line to open water will swim for several days to find deep water downwellings that offer moderate protection from tossing seas in rich debris fields of seaweed and other floating materials.

As with all eco-sensitive species, the Loggerhead populations have been in decline for decades. Annual nesting estimates worldwide reveal fewer than 150,000 nests per year in all traditional Loggerhead nesting areas. Adults easily become ensnared in gill nets, long-lines, traps and pots. Dredging also claims a number of turtles each year.

The large migratory territories of the Loggerhead require global cooperation to ensure that protective efforts will be successful. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna makes trade of any part of this species unlawful, affording it some protection from human predation. Several countries share agreements that expand protection for the feeding and nesting areas and many have imposed bans on shrimp to force changes in the trawling gear to make it less hazardous to Loggerheads and other routinely ensnared deep sea turtle species.

Conservation efforts include the hatch and release of nests that are discovered in threatened or unsuitable areas. The eggs are carefully counted and transported to an incubation facility. The young are raised until they are strong enough to survive on their own and released into the ocean from the same beach that housed their nest. This imprints the hatchling on the spot and increases the likelihood that it will return to continue the cycle when it reaches sexual maturity three and a half decades later.

Pet Turtle Care: Saving Sea Turtles From Extinction

2010-04-27T10:54:00.004+07:00

Pet Turtle Care

Improper outdoor lighting is one of the greatest issues affecting sea turtles - Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Let's face it... light pollution and sea turtles just don't go together. Many species are on the verge of extinction... and improper outdoor lighting is a major cause. Not quite sure how this can be? Let's look into this a little further...

Female turtles return to the same area to nest each year. If they return and find bright outdoor lighting, one of two things happens.

1) The female will simply swim on by... essentially removing herself from the breeding population

2) She lays her eggs, and then several weeks later the hatchlings emerge under cover of darkness and begin their journey to the sea. They've evolved through millions of years to seek out the brightest horizon. This is generally the ocean... with crashing surf and moon and star light reflecting on the water. Unfortunately, if bright lights were installed along with some recent development, the hatchlings emerge and crawl towards the bright lights... and away from the ocean and a chance at survival. These then get run over by cars as they cross streets, wander till exhausted and are eaten by predators or simply roast in their own shells in the heat of the sun. In excess of 80% of hatchlings can die on light polluted beaches.

Many communities have enacted outdoor lighting regulations designed to come to the aid of declining sea turtle populations. These generally require the use of full cutoff fixtures. Full cutoff fixtures simply control the output of light... forcing it down towards the ground where its needed... and preventing it from shining up into the night sky... or horizontally when it can cross property lines... and illuminate turtle nesting beaches.

Starry Night Lights has a greatly expanded selection of turtle friendly outdoor lighting solutions. Working with the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, they've combined the largest selection of full cutoff outdoor lights with "monochromatic" turtle friendly lights to offer a number of solutions to communities that border sea turtle nesting areas. They offer bollards, wall packs and pole mounted solutions for businesses and municipalities as well as a huge selection of fixtures for homeowners and condo associations. The combination of full cutoff fixtures and monochromatic lights has been found to be least disruptive to sea turtle hatchlings.

Pet Turtle Care: Vacations That Make a Difference - Save Sea Turtles

2010-04-27T10:45:00.004+07:00

Pet Turtle Care

This year, 2010, is the year to make a difference; this means in every area of our life, including vacations. How great to experience one of the great vacation spots in the world and also give back with volunteer work to save the Sea Turtles.

North of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico on the Pacific Coast is a place called Platanitos Sea Turtle Camp and what they do is gather the eggs that the female sea turtle lay in the sand and put them in incubators to hatch and then they are released in late summer and early fall.

All of this work takes loads of volunteers along with the locals to do this daunting task, and of course it is all done with love and devotion. So this is something you can time your vacation around and it is also a perfect way to teach your children about biology and sea turtles while still enjoying a vacation.

The sea turtles are a dark gray color and when born are about the size of a silver dollar and when full size can be as large as 2 to 2 ½ feet long and weigh 80 to 110 lbs. They have been on the endangered list now since 1978, but with the work of these dedicated volunteers more and more of the sea turtles are surviving. The female turtle lays about
80 to 100 eggs each, but, if they weren't gathered by government agencies and sanctuaries they would fall prey to all sorts of animals and of course humans, who can be their worst enemy of all because of poachers being able to sell one egg for at least $10.

So what a wonderful way to save the environment, the turtles and still go on vacation and enjoy the area around Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. There is lodging right on and near the camp; which is large enough for a family and at moderate prices, which includes kitchens so you can do your own cooking and do your shopping in local villages. Most of the turtle nesting goes on from June through October and the eggs hatch from August to December, so start planning your educational volunteer vacation today to give back something this year, rather than taking.

Dale have enjoyed extensive travel and on one of their trips said to each other, we should do this for a living. With that said, they are now operating a travel website where you can plan a wedding on the beach in Tahiti including a Bridal Registry; a Golf Vacation including reserving tee times; Spa Vacations; Outdoor Adventure Vacations. They offer full personalized service online 24/7 at b.montz@comcast.net Let them be your Vacation Specialist Dale's Travel YTB.

Pet Turtle Care: Adopting Happy Aquarium Sea Turtles

2010-04-27T10:42:00.003+07:00

Pet urtle Care

One of the most common and strongest desires of Happy Aquarium players is to adopt a baby sea turtle. They are cute and fun, not to mention your adoption saves them from the atrocious fate that would await them otherwise. Acquiring your own sea turtle can be a laborious challenge. Its certainly still fun, and the reward is well worth it once you have gone through all the necessary steps. Here are a few ways you can speed up the process of adopting one of these adorable critters.

How To Begin Adopting a Baby Sea Turtle

In order to adopt, you need to go out and find some neighbours. You cannot get your own turtle in Happy Aquarium. Instead, you may get notification that a sushi chef has found a turtle, and it will soon be soup. If you decide to post the notification on Facebook and save the poor creature, your friends then have the opportunity to adopt it. The first friend to click on the posted notification in the news feed and adopt the turtle will then have it added to their tank.
Once you have a baby turtle in your tank, it takes 72 hours to raise them to adulthood and sell them. You can have more than one at a time, and the total profit for each is over 100 coins! This is why having a heap of friends is a bonus.

Other Ways to Get Sea Turtles

As described above, you must get your primary baby sea turtle by clicking on a friend's notification. It's also possible, however, to use your pearls and buy special limited edition sea turtles from the Happy Aquarium shop. They turn up in the shop in a variety of colours to brighten up your tank. Be that as it may, your simplest path to a turtle is to make sure you get as many friends as you can in the game and spend a decent amount of time logged in each day.

The root of prosperity in any Facebook game is to have plenty of neighbours. Happy Aquarium is no different. Finding people who are as dedicated to the game as you are can be pivotal in your progress. Never underestimate the benefits you will gain from adding neighbours and posting notifications. Then again, those baby sea turtles sure do look cute floating around in your tank.

Pet Turtle Care: Protecting Sea Turtles

2009-09-02T06:34:00.003+07:00

Pet Turtle Care

Sea turtles are being protected around the world. National parks are set up along with farms and other organizations that are attempting to protect them. Sea turtles are a difficult animal to protect though because of their migratory habits. They aren''t the kind to stay in one place, and they only come ashore to nest. Most males will never come out of the water once they enter the ocean as a hatchling. The only time they may be seen out of the water is if they are basking in the sun.
Tagging and conservation is a big part of protecting the sea turtles. Tagging helps see the patterns where females are nesting, and helps determine migratory habits.

In Mexico we got to be a part of the protection of the sea turtles. Down the beach from where we were staying was a park protecting the sea turtles. The rangers were there and described sea turtles to us. They told us they were endangered, so they were protecting them. Also, moving the eggs to a safe environment would protect them from predators. Only about one in every thousand that hatch actually survives in the wild, so getting as many to hatch as possible is a good thing.

We got to hold the turtles, and then went down to the water when it got dark out. They took the baby turtles down there too. We all stood in a line where the water just reached us. They gave everyone 2 or 3 baby sea turtles that we let go into the water. None of us were able to move after we let them go because not all of them made it to the water right away. It was a neat experience to see that many baby sea turtles going into the water.

In Costa Rica they also have a park that is protecting the sea turtles. We were able to actually stay at the reserve as volunteers this time though. The volunteers get to go along on the beach patrols. Every night all night someone is patrolling the beaches to make sure every nesting female is tagged, and that they nest is accounted for. They want to know how many eggs are laid, and everything about the nesting female.

If the female hasn''t already been tagged, the ranger or a volunteer will tag the female. This is done with a hand held gun which is similar to piercing your ear. They always check the female first with a transmitter to see if she has been tagged though.

There is a whole sheet of paper work to fill out when a nesting female is seen. They fill out where she was, the date, the time, and how she came to the shore. They want to know everything, so all the paper work must be filled out correctly.

At this park, there is also a hatchery the eggs are taken to. This is the same type of thing as in Mexico, where they are giving every turtle the best chance possible for survival.

Article source: http://www.thefreelibrary.com

Pet Turtle Care: Common Turtle Species

2009-09-02T06:16:00.007+07:00

Pet Turtle Care

Turtles are cold-blooded reptiles. They have a shell making them unique from other reptiles. Their upper shell is called the carapace, and a lower shell that protects the belly called the plastron. The carapace and plastron shape and color varies from species to species. One might think it would at least always be a hard shell, which also is untrue. There are softshell turtle species, along with many others.

Some turtle species include Clemmys insculpta which is the wood turtle; Geochelone sulcata which is the African Spurred tortoise; Chelonia mydas which is the green turtle; Emydoidea blandingii which is the Blanding''s turtle; Clemmys guttata which is the spotted turtle; Malaclemys terrapin which is the diamondback terrapin; and Trachemys s. elegans which is the red-eared slider.

The species name for the wood turtle is Clemmys insculpta. This turtle is the largest in its genus. The carapace has raised projections on the back that resemble a small pyramid, making it different from others in the Clemmys genus.

The wood turtle is omnivorous and eats things like algae, moss, blueberries, mollusks, insects, earthworms, and mice. Typically adult males are larger than adult females, but not by a whole lot.

The species name for the African Spurred tortoise is Geochelone sulcata. The African Spurred Tortoise is the only tortoise in the world that has adapted fully for terrestrial life. The turtle is famous for digging burrows to protect itself from predators and the temperature. This turtle can go weeks without food or water. When the turtle does get a chance to drink water though, it can drink up to 15% of its body weight.

The species name for the green turtle is Chelonia mydas. Adult green turtles have a different diet than juvenile green turtles. Adults are herbivores eating plants and juveniles are carnivores eating meat. Adults usually spend their time in patches of sea grass and algae to get their food, while juveniles spend their time among the coral reef. Adults preferred food is young leaves and roots of sea vegetation. Juveniles eat animals such as jellyfish, sponges, snails, bivalves, and others.

This turtle is a medium to large sea turtle that has a broad, low, heart-shaped carapace.

Most of their lives are spent in the water but females return to the land to lay their eggs. The eggs take about two months to incubate, and then hatch. As most turtles are, green turtles possess environmental sex determination. Temperature of the nest determines the sex of the hatchling. Warmer temperatures produce females, and cooler temperatures produce males.

Green turtles are found throughout the oceans of the world. Populations are endangered or threatened everywhere.

The Blanding''s turtle is a northern turtle that has a black carapace with tan to yellow spots on the scutes. Its species name is Emydoidea blandingii. Sometimes this turtle is confused with the box turtle because of similar appearances.

This turtle lives in clean, shallow water habitats. They like abundant aquatic vegetation, and firm aquatic bottoms in ponds, lakes, marshes, and creeks. However, preferences in habitat can change seasonally and by location. In Wisconsin, the Blanding''s turtle prefers marshes over ponds, which is just a location preference. Turtles elsewhere may choose a pond over a marsh.

This turtle nests once a year usually from late-May to early July during the night. However, not every female nests every year.

The common name for Clemmys guttata is the spotted turtle. This is a small, black turtle that has a pattern on its smooth carapace with small yellow spots. Over time the spots may fade, making older turtles appear spotless.

Male spotted turtles tend to have tan chins with brown eyes differing from the females who tend to have yellow chins and orange eyes.

These turtles live in areas that are shallow wetlands. This can consist of swamps, bogs, fens, and marshes, but not confined to just these areas.

Spotted turtles are active during they day for the most part, meaning they are diurnal. However, females are active at night while they are nesting.

Spotted turtles are preyed upon by bald eagles, skunks, and raccoons.

The species name for the Diamondback Terrapin is Malaclemys terrapin. This turtle is a small to medium size turtle which feeds on sponges, bryozoans, gastropods, crabs, carrion, and plant material.

They have a hingeless plastron which can be yellow to green or black, and an oblong carapace is gray, light brown or black. They can be found in estuaries and salt marshes.

Nesting for these turtles is different from a majority of turtles because it is during the day. Most turtles tend to nest during the night. High tide is the most usual time for this particular turtle to nest.

The red-eared slider is native to the United States. It is commonly found in the Southern regions. The species name for it is Trachemys s. elegans.

When the red-eared slider is young it is carnivorous, but as it ages they become more vegetarian. They are a medium size and have a dark green oval shell. Their legs are green with think yellow stripes. The head is also green, but it has a red stripe behind the eye.

These turtles are found in most permanent slow-moving bodies of water. They prefer areas with mud bottoms.

Pet Turtle Care: FDA Warns Consumers Not to Buy Pet Turtles

2009-09-02T06:11:00.004+07:00

Pet Turtle Care

What do 1,000 yellow-bellied sliders and Mississippi map turtles have to do with public health? They can make people very sick.

Strictly Reptiles Inc., a wildlife dealer in Hollywood, Fla., sold 1,000 baby yellow-bellied sliders and Mississippi map turtles to a souvenir shop in Panama City, Fla., violating a Food and Drug Administration ban on small pet turtles designed to protect the public from the disease-causing bacteria Salmonella, the agency says.

Turtles often carry Salmonella on their outer skin and shell surfaces, and people can get Salmonella infection by coming in contact with turtles or their habitats.

"The illegal sale of these pet turtles put one of our most vulnerable populations -- children -- at risk for becoming very sick," said Philip Walsky, assistant special agent in charge in FDA's the Office of Criminal Investigations headquarters office.

All reptiles (turtles, lizards, snakes) and amphibians (frogs, salamanders) are commonly contaminated with Salmonella. The bacteria do not make these animals sick, but they can make people ill and even be life-threatening to children, elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.

Small pet turtles are of particular concern because children are more prone to handling the turtles without washing their hands afterwards, and even putting the turtles in their mouths.

In 1975, FDA banned the sale of small pet turtles -- those with shells less than four inches long. Infectious disease specialists estimate that banning small turtles prevents 100,000 Salmonella infections in children each year in the United States. The ban excludes small turtles when they are used for educational, exhibitional, or scientific purposes -- not as pets.

Despite the ban several widespread outbreaks of Salmonella infection related to undersized turtles have been reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in recent years.

In 2007, two teenaged girls in South Carolina became very ill with bloody diarrhea, cramps, fever, and vomiting after they swam in an unchlorinated, in-ground pool where the family's pet turtles had also been allowed to swim.

The same strain of Salmonella found in the teenaged girls was also found in 101 other people in 32 states who were reported ill between early May 2007 and mid-January 2008, according to CDC. When 80 of these people were questioned, 47 of them confirmed that they had been exposed to a turtle during the seven days before they got sick.

In February 2007, the tragic death of a four-week-old baby in Florida was linked to Salmonella from a small pet turtle.

The owner of Strictly Reptiles admitted to OCI agents that he intentionally did not ask customers their purpose for purchasing the turtles in order not to lose sales.

On March 3, 2008, Strictly Reptiles sold about 1,000 undersized turtles to a souvenir business for $2.75 to $3.00 each. The souvenir business, in turn, sold the undersized turtles for $14.99 each.

At sentencing, the court ordered a criminal fine of $5,000, the forfeiture of more than 6,300 turtles, and two years' probation that allows federal agents to inspect sales records of all Strictly Reptiles' live turtles.

The court further ordered Strictly Reptiles to obtain a signed document from every buyer of undersized turtles that indicates the buyer is aware of the legal restrictions placed on the sale, or holding for sale, of these turtles.

1. Don't buy small turtles for pets or as gifts.

2. If your family is expecting a child, remove any pet turtle (or other reptile or amphibian) from the home before the infant arrives.

3. Keep turtles out of homes with children under five years old, elderly people, or others with weakened immune systems.

4. Do not allow turtles to roam freely through the house, especially in food preparation areas.

5. Do not clean turtle tanks or other supplies in the kitchen sink. Use bleach to disinfect a tub or other place where turtle habitats are cleaned.

6. Always wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after touching a turtle, its food or housing, or anything else that comes in contact with a turtle or its habitat.

7. Be aware that Salmonella infection can be caused by contact with turtles in petting zoos, parks, child day care facilities, or other locations.

8. Watch for symptoms of Salmonella infection, such as diarrhea, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, and headache. Call your doctor if you or your family have any of these symptoms.

Article source: http://www.thefreelibrary.com

Pet Turtle Care: Making A Reptile Terrarium for Your Pet Turtle

2009-09-02T06:06:00.003+07:00

Pet Turtle Care

A reptile terrarium suitable for an aquatic turtle can be made from an aquarium by adding about six inches of water and making a land area above the water. The land area can be built up from rocks or suitable aquarium decorations and should have a reptile lamp above it to provide heat.

Setting up the Terrarium

The Tank

Make sure you buy an aquarium that is big enough. At least a forty gallon tank is required for an adult turtle. Add about six inches of chlorine and chloramine free water and set up a filter and aquarium heater. External filters are preferable, as turtles can be remarkably curious and may cause themselves damage by investigating an internal heater. In addition turtles produce a great deal of waste so a powerful filter is needed. Hide the heater under some rocks to keep it out of harm''s way. It may not respond so rapidly to changes in temperature but that is preferable to causing distress or injury to your pet.

Use a water treatment solution sold in aquarium shops to remove both chlorine and chloramine which are added to water by your water authority. Turtles may eat sand or gravel so do not use these on the bottom of the tank and it will be easier to clean the glass bottom.

You can place a few artificial plants in the swimming area but avoid adding too many or your turtle will not have room to swim around. Do not use live plants as the turtle will eat them. To be healthy you need to make sure the water is clean so ensure the filter works correctly and clean the tank weekly.

The Land Area

The land area can be made from artificial rocks or decorations from a terrarium supply shop or use well cleaned rocks or bricks. An area where the turtle can hide is also needed so make a small artificial cave from rocks, wood or artificial terrarium decorations. Keep the temperature around 80F in the daytime cooling down to around 79F during the night.

Lighting

Attach both a UVB lamp and a full spectrum lamp to the lid. Turtles need UVB radiation in order to keep their bones and shell in good condition. UVB lamps are expensive and generally last only around six months but they are necessary to keep your turtle healthy. Turtles also need sunlight for at least twelve hours a day. You can also provide a basking lamp above the land area.

Aquarium lids are not really suitable as you need to attach the lamp to the lid. A plank of wood, suitable painted on the outside only can be use instead.

Turtles will also need a source of fresh water so place a small pan of water in the land area. You might think there is enough water around but the turtle will soon foul the swimming area!

Feeding Your Turtle

Commercially prepared turtle sticks can be used to feed your turtle. Mix in fruit and vegetables occasionally for variety . You can also give your pet leafy vegetables such as alfalfa, clover, lettuce and cabbage and an assortment of berries. Do not overfeed and remove any uneaten food before it starts to rot.

Pet turtle Care: Turtles A Truly Unique and Interesting Pet

2009-09-02T06:01:00.004+07:00

Pet turtle Care

Turtles can be great pets and it''s a fact that children love turtles as their pets. These animals are very fascinating. And there are several types of them too.

If you decide to take a turtle for your pet, try to learn more about these animals first. They require proper care and a certain level of attention. There are some species that can be taken cared of by humans while there are others can''t be taken away from their natural habitats.

Generally speaking, there are two types of turtles that you can take home - the aquatic and the terrestrial types. Terrestrial turtles need a lot of time on land while aquatic turtles need to be in water most of the time. It is important that you know which type of turtle you''ve got so you can take care of it properly.

For terrestrial turtles, you have to prepare a big tank and some mud. Mud turtles need twelve hours worth of sunlight every day. If you can''t take them outside, use a UV lamp instead. Terrestrial turtles also need to be in a place with a temperature of 80 degrees during the day and 70 at night. And while these pets prefer the land, they also need fresh water to drink and swim about.

As for the aquatic turtles, the common species are the painted turtles and the sliders. The sliders want swampy areas. They live near the lakes that have lots of mud. They tend to go out in the sun in broad daylight and then swim during the night to cool off. But then, they still have to spend more time submerged in the water than out in the sun. Between the sliders and the painted turtles, the latter is the specie that is a lot harder to take care of because of the special things it needs.

At this point, you should have decided on the type of turtle you want. The next thing to think about is the size of the tank you''ll buy. You normally need a 40 gallon tank - or larger if you want a larger specie or if you want to take care of more than one turtle. The bigger the tank you have, the better your pet can move around in the water and over the land.

Plants are required, but you have to be sure that they''re not poisonous. Don''t put barks and wood chips in the tank either, as bacteria and molds might form on them. Turtles tend to munch on these things too, although their digestive tract can''t handle it. Instead, add some small rocks and mud for the turtle to play on.

As for food, your pet would need berries, lettuce, and some feed sticks. Some species eat goldfish and insects too. You also have to be very particular about the water these pets drink and swim on. Use mineral or spring water instead of tap water in the tank.

The chemicals and chlorine in tap water can be very harmful to your turtle pet. Chlorine and other chemicals in the tap water can cause bacteria in their digestive systems.

article source: http://www.thefreelibrary.com

Pet Turtle Care: Turtle Watching in Northern Cyprus

2009-09-02T05:52:00.003+07:00

Pet Turtle Care

You may think you know everything there is to know about the island of Cyprus, but chances are that you are thinking of the tourist friendly south with its sandy beaches and towering hotel blocks. A holiday in Northern Cyprus is completely different and visitors are flocking to this region for a relaxing break, where they can experience the regions incredible wildlife, from the ample birdlife to the turtles which are indigenous to this area.

Turtle Watching in Northern Cyprus

Divers from all over the world book holidays in Northern Cyprus to see the colourful fishes of the area and it seems that the region?s rich marine life is also responsible for introducing sea turtles to Northern Cyprus. These enigmatic creatures were once found all over beaches in the Mediterranean, but the artificial lights of modern hotel developments and nightclubs confuse the baby turtles that naturally make their way towards the moon on hatching from their mother?s eggs. The animals now face near extinction, but whilst on your holiday in Northern Cyprus you can see these incredible baby animals for yourself and help get involved in their plight.

The best beach in Northern Cyprus to spot sea turtles is the Alagadi Beach, located near Girne on the Karpaz Peninsula. This beach has been declared a protected area for both the green and loggerhead turtles that lay their eggs in the sand here during the month of May. The baby turtles hatch two months later in July, where they will make their way towards the moon and into the warm Mediterranean Ocean where they will reunite with their parents.

Alagadi Beach, is located just ten minutes away from the main tourist resort of Kyrenia and can be easily reached on your Northern Cyprus holiday. Tourists are welcome to observe the turtles at any time, but there are plenty of organisations that you can join if you want to help with their conservation during your holiday to Northern Cyprus. The Society for the Protection of Turtles or SPOT carries out nightly surveys of hatching activity during the month of July. If you get involved with this charity during your Northern Cyprus holiday then you could find your evenings spent observing hatching sights and releasing baby turtles into the sea. This is extremely rewarding and a great way to give something back to the local community.

If you just wish to observe the turtles whilst on holiday in Northern Cyprus then there are a number of rules and precautions that you need to take, particularly around the area of Alagadi Beach. These precautions have been introduced by the Department of Environmental Protection and should be observed during the turtles breeding months of May to October. One such precaution prohibits the throwing of plastic carrier bags into the ocean as baby turtles often mistake these for jelly fish and attempt to eat them, resulting in death. The use of artificial lights and speedboats are also banned for obvious reasons.

With just one baby turtle surviving out of 1,000 eggs it is extremely important that these measures are put in place in order to prevent the sea turtle population from extinction. A holiday in Northern Cyprus can be an extremely rewarding affair which allows you to contribute towards the welfare of the sea turtle whilst relaxing in the breathtaking scenery of this historic region.

Article source: http://www.thefreelibrary.com

Pet Turtle Care : Box Turtles

2009-06-07T06:39:00.004+07:00

Pet Turtle Care

The American Box turtles are widespread throughout the eastern states from Maine to Georgia and Alabama and west to the Mississippi River. Three subspecies of box turtles extend its range well into Texas, along the Gulf Coast, and to Florida, while a closely related species occupies a wide range in the prairie country west of the Mississippi.

The box turtles average between five and six inches in length. The colors of this turtles are fairly constant, but the markings are extremely variable, in fact, it is not often that one can find two individuals that are marked alike.

The box turtles are mainly terrestrial, although it can be found in more or less swampy or marshy country. They are fair swimmers and occasionally are seen in both fresh water ponds and salty lagoons. But for the most part, box turtles are at home in open grassy woodlands, pastures and meadows, and sunny hillsides thickets. During hot and dry periods, however, the box turtle often seeks some drying-out mud hole in the woods and partially buries itself in the deep mire.

Young box turtles are omnivorous feeder. While they are stay pretty close to marshes and other moist situations, they eat mostly animals, such as worms and insect larvae. The adult box turtles seem to prefer fruits, mushrooms, tender grasses and leaves; although they will accept worms, slugs and other similar animal. Captive turtles will eat fruits and berries of many kinds and are especially fond of overripe bananas.

Box turtles are invariably timid creatures and may be kept as pets without any fear and bites. When first captured they show a reluctance to leave the protection of their Shell and may remain tightly closed up for an hour and more. However, they eventually screw up enough courage to venture a look around and in due time become very tame. They are rather more intelligent than the strictly aquatic turtles and can be taught to beg for food and to take it from your fingers.

Laying 4 - 5 eggs on June or July, the female excavates a shallow, flask-shaped nest, working with her hind feet. Hatchlings takes place in the fall, and the little turtles go into hibernation soon after. Their lifespan about 30 - 40 years recorded in captivity. Some individuals have lived more than one hundred years.

The Florida box turtles, Terrapene Carolina bauri
This subspecies can be found in Florida. The shell of Florida box turtles is more elongate than common box turtles, with its highest part well back from the middle of the shell, over the rump. The markings on the carapace lean more to long, unbroken radiating lines of bright yellow in place of the star like clusters of spots. There are usually two well-defined yellowish lines on the side of the head, and in most cases there are but three toes on each hind foot.

The Gulf Coast Box Turtles (Terrapene Carolina major)
Range along the Gulf Coast from Texas to Florida. Seven inches or more in length, this subspecies is the largest of the American box turtles. With a well-domed shell that is highest in the center, the color is dark and is sometimes without markings. The plastron is generally blacks. In this subspecies the hind foot has four toes.

Three-toed box turtles (Terrapene Carolina triunguis)
Three-toed box turtle has a narrow shell that is well arched, well keeled and flaring a little at rear margin. The carapace is brown with irregular yellowish scrawls, with the plastron solid black as a rule. The head and limbs, especially the forelimbs, are heavily spotted with brown and yellow.

Three-toed box turtles may be found mostly west of the Mississippi river, from Texas through Colorado to northern Missouri. This turtle is sometimes known as the midland box turtle.

The general habits of these three subspecies of box turtle are substantially the same as those of the typical form.

Avicenna has written various articles about exotic pets related topics, including Pet snake, and pet turtles.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Yazid_Avicenna

Pet Turtle Care : Bacteria Infections in Turtles

2009-05-19T08:01:00.003+07:00

Pet Turtle Care

Common Bacteria in Turtles

Slow moving and hard shelled, turtles make fun pets but have a bit of a down side. Tortoises and turtles often suffer bacterial infections that cause disease. The good thing is that with the proper housing, nutrition, and sanitation these infections can be avoided for the most part. Being familiar with the different types of bacterial infections that your turtle or tortoise could succumb to is an important part of keeping your slow moving friend feeling good.

Eye infections and conjunctivitis

Eye infections typically occur on the surface of the cornea, but can also develop in the eyelids creating irritation and swelling. It begins as a small white spot and as the infection progresses it can spread over the entire surface and create an ulcer on the eye. Eye infections are cause either by contaminated water (if in aquatic or semi-aquatic turtles) or low humidity (in tortoises). Treatment usually consists of topical antibiotic eye drops.

Cloactis

This is a bacterial infection of the cloaca that results in an inflamed cloacal opening and a foul smelling discharge. These are often associated with parasitic infections, or sone-like cloacal calculus. The stone must be removed and parasitic infection treated (if any) before irrigating the cloacal area. The irritant is a dilute Betadine or chlorhexidine solution. The last part of treatment is applying a topical antibiotic ointment to the cloacal opening.

Necrotic Stomatitis

Commonly known as mouth rot, necrotic stomatits is often caused by the bacteria Pseudomonas or Aeromonas. Mild cases can be treated by swabbing the infected area with diluted Betadine. However, a more advanced case needs to be treated with antibiotics. Turtle ailments like a poor jaw alignment or mouth injury predispose them to mouth rot.

Pneumonia

Turtles and tortoises suffer pneumonia in one of two forms, acute and chronic. Acute pneumonia can appear suddenly and cause death in just a matter of hours if not treated quickly. Symptoms include respiratory distress, coughing, and disorientation. Chronic pneumonia causes turtle’s to have respiratory distress and chronic nasal discharge. Treatment for both acute and chronic pneumonia includes injecting antibiotics.

Ear abscesses

Ear abscesses are a very common problem that most turtles face. Symptoms include swelling of the tympanic membrane and discharge of pus into the back of the throat. It is sometime hard to identify that ear abscesses have formed, so treatment usually happens when they are in an advanced stage. In most cases the abscess must be surgically opened and drained.

For more information on common bacterial infections in turtles, visit your local Cincinnati vet clinics at www.cincinnativeterinarianclinics.com

Joseph Devine

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Pet Turtle Care : Easy to Find Exotic Types of Turtles

2009-05-19T07:58:00.003+07:00

Pet Turtle Care

If you are going to get a turtle as your pet then you will probably visit a local pet store. The types of turtles that you will find in common pet stores around United States are native ones. This local native types of turtles are recommended for beginner turtle keepers. But, in time, if you have some experience with turtle care you can consider to buy some exotic types of turtles. The problem with exotic turtles is that if they aren't born in captivity then they will hardly adapt. but with proper care having an exotic turtle as your pet is not impossible.

One of the most common types of turtles in the United States pet stores is the Reeves Turtle. It's a small type of turtle that has some kind of rectangular shape. The carapace has a browny colour and the skin is green with yellow stripes. They are originary from Asia. they can be feed with different types of vegetables, worms, fish or turtle food. The turtle care guideline is similar to the sliders turtles.

Two other types of turtles would be Asian Yellow Pond Turtle (Mauremys mutica) and the Asian Leaf Turtle (Cyclemys dentata). They look much alike the Reeve's Turtle regarding size and shape. The coloration is predominated by yellow and brown. Keep in mind that are more therestrial turtles than the sliders and so they need a larger basking and land area. Following the turtle care advice for the Reeve's turtle you should have any problems in growing them.

The African Mud Turtle was recently imported in a large number. These types of turtles, although they are mud turtles, are very much alike the Painted turtles. They have brown carapace with yellow or gray skin. You can try to setups a slider enclousure for them and you shouldn't have any problems.

There are some other types of turtles that can be found in the pet stores but if you are really looking for a special type of exotic turtle than you should contact a reptile seller. There was a time when you could find Snake-neck turtles and Big-headed turtles on the pet stores market and maybe in time they will be imported in larger numbers again. This types of turtles have a really special look that you won't forget. The Snake-neck turtles have a very long neck, almost as long as their carapace. Big-headed Turtles, like their name says have a huge head that can't even retract in the shell.

So all in all there are some types of exotic turtles on the United States pet market but if you are a beginner in growing turtles then i advise you to take a native one in your home.

If you are looking for information on different common types of turtles, visit us at one of the best turtle care advice site.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ispas_Marin

Pet Turtle Care : Buying And Care Tips When Considering Box Turtles As Exotic Pets

2009-05-19T07:53:00.003+07:00

Pet Turtle Care

Keeping box turtles as exotic pets may be a good decision for many people, since they are easy to live with and easy to maintain. It is also very enjoyable to witness these creatures grow and live. Interested in having box turtles as exotic pets? Here are some tips that might be useful for you before buying ones.

First, avoid buying box turtles during cold seasons, because box turtles hibernate during such seasons. If you keep buying them anyway, your box turtles will probably get stressed out due to the dehydration and starvation that comes with the hibernation time.

When choosing box turtles, check for its strong reflexes by gently tugging its hind leg and seeing if it quickly and strongly pulls its legs away. A good box turtle would feel solid and weighty when you pick it up. The face and limbs should have no swellings, the eyes should be alert and clear. There should be no discolorations or slime on the shell.

Boxed turtles live well both indoors and outdoors. If you want to keep them indoor, an 36 by 12 inches aquarium is a good idea. And it would be better if you install an aquarium heater to maintain a 77-96 degree F temperature on the aquarium, since turtles tend to become sluggish and lose their appetite when the temperature is low. Box turtles prefer living on slightly moistened potting soil that have no coarse substrates that may damage their shells, so there should be enough water for the turtle to dip in and climb out as it wants. And don't forget to keep the aquarium clean.

Last but not least, don't forget to feed your box turtles once every morning for youngsters, and every other day for adults. Combining varied vegetables with canned dog food are recommended for your box turtles, but you can also feed them with chicken liver, earthworms, slugs and small insects. You may also provide food sources like fruits and green vegetables that are best for terrapins.

One thing that you should realize is that being an exotic pet owner requires a lot of responsibility. You should always assess yourself if you can really provide care for your exotic pets. You should plan very well so that you can prepare properly once you have decided to own exotic pets.

Or more information about Exotic Pets please visit http://www.YourExoticPets.com

There you can also find exotic pet health and care tips, exotic pet buying tips, and so much more!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Deeo_Nyssa

Pet Turtle Care : Proper Turtle Care

2009-05-19T07:47:00.003+07:00

Pet Turtle Care

Like most amphibians and reptiles, turtles are an exotically, fascinating species that many folks raise as pets owing to their 'novelty factor' and the fact that they need little "love" and attention. If you have large furry animals as pets, the pertaining to their care in terms of immunization, shots, operation and expensive accessories like dog houses, toys and grooming products is an inevitable expenditure and costly. By contrast, turtle care isn't as time consuming, expensive, and complicated provided they too are looked after with utmost care in regards to their diet, habitat arrangements and treatment to ensure a healthy and long life.

To keep your pet turtles safe, secure, and comfortable, you have to undertake a few measures like providing ample of room space to survive in, appropriate lighting, clean water and a basking lamp. If you want to keep your pet turtle free from any disease or infection, three rules of the thumb must be regularly administered: proper temperature in the aquarium, good water quality and regulated feeding habits. Your turtle's aquarium must be filled 2/3rd with water for swimming purposes and the remainder 1/3rd should be spared for basking reasons that is inculcated by bringing in a full spectrum ultra-violet light source. To ensure longevity and reduce the infections your turtle can get, it is very important to keep the water in the aquarium very clean and devoid of any contaminants with may be an aquarium filtration system. Algae can easy grow on a turtles shell. A strict regime must be followed when it comes to thoroughly cleaning the interiors as well as the exteriors of the aquarium. The very minimum is once a month but twice a month is much better.

When feeding your turtle, carry it out in another small holding tank, away from its normal enclosure as uneaten food and leftovers will invite disease causing microorganisms. If you are concerned about your turtles hygiene, rinse it's shell with slightly warm water after each feed. Make sure he is only feed proper turtle food.

Turtle care is a job for responsible adults. If not cleaned often and taken care of diligently, turtles emit a foul smell that can get unbearable. Avoid using tap water to fill your turtle's tank because tap water generally harbors chemicals like fluoride and chlorine which can cause the pH balance to go haywire. For swimming purposes, dechlorinated water must be utilized and filtered water for drinking.

Turtles are certainly interesting pets to raise, simply watch and interact with. They bring along a lot of selfless excitement and enjoyment for you and your family and in return expect a stable home and loads of love. However, it is important to care for them properly otherwise they will get sick and die. Without proper care, turtle shells will get bacterial infections. Be sure to take care of all the needs of your turtles.

Matt is the owner of many pet turtles and has been taking care of them for many years now. You can read more about turtle care and turtle tanks at his website on taking care of turtles.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Matthew_Kepnes

Pet Turtle Care : Owning pet turtle

2009-05-19T07:43:00.004+07:00

Pet Turtle Care

Turtles are one of the most popular, exotic and fascinating creatures available in a pet store. If you are thinking of adopting a pet turtle, your main prerogative must be to be well informed and aware of the techniques for creating a suitable habitat for your turtle, including a dry area and a wet area. Did you know that turtles can live up to 40-50 years old? You pet's going to be your companion for most of your life. Don't they deserve the best possible care you can give them? To ensure that your pet turtle is delivered high maintenance and proper care, you need to be well endowed with the basic information regarding your pet turtle's care, treatment, diet and factual data.

Pet turtles flourish the best when they are kept outside in the open. Turtles are animals that indulge in hibernation during the winter months and if they are confined inside during those months, they will not but obviously not hibernate as they will not know what time of the year it is. In case they fail to hibernate, it may invite unwelcome health ailments of the liver. Further, pet turtles must be permitted to stay out in the natural environment to enjoy heat of the sun, graze on grass and marvel in the fresh surroundings.

If you decide otherwise and keep your pets largely indoors, then make sure you provide at least a forty gallon tank size in which your turtle can swim around freely. This is essential because there needs to be enough elbow space for a water only area as well as a dry land area and sufficient room between the two for the turtle to survive comfortably. A minimum of 1/3rd of the tank must be devoted to land and a part of this dry land must have direct access to rays provided by a UV light. The best way to offer this is to have large, flat rocks under the lamp that gives the turtle ample area to bask themselves. A temperature of about 80 degrees during the day and 70degress during the night must be regulated and maintained.

Unfortunately but true, turtles are not pets that are meant to be played with. They are best to be observed and watched from a distance through the walls of the tank. Turtles are cold blooded pets and hence it takes them a while to adapt to change in temperature. Taking a turtle out from its comfortable warm tank gives them quite a shock and could also hurt their immune system. Proper turtle care and maintenance commands for it to be as unchanging and predictable as possible. Most turtles, both land and water based, require a similar diet consisting of fresh, leafy greens and vegetables. Some kinds of land based turtles such as the box turtles or tortoise do not demand very extensive habitats and a very basic but safe enclosed outdoor housing is sufficient. Other turtle and terrapins, by contrast require both a dry as well as a wet environment.

Caring for and tending to turtles can be extremely rewarding and satisfying provided it is executed with a sense of commitment and integrity. If you are looking for a quiet and serene but still an exotic and affectionate animal to raise as a pet, you must consider a turtle. Most pet owners are ultimately satisfied with their decision and despite the fact that turtles are not huggable and cuddly pets, they exude warmth and love like any other four legged pet.

Matt has been raising and taking care of pets for a number of years. He owns 5 right now. You can find out more about turtle care at his website and about getting the right turtle tank.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Matthew_Kepnes

Pet Turtle Care : Food to Give Red Eared Slider Turtles

2009-04-02T05:50:00.003+07:00

Pet Turtle Care

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.

Food To Feed Red Eared Sliders

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.

Turtle Pet Care is a great site to teach people what it takes to take care of a pet turtle. You need to know how they should live, what kind to get, and of course how to make sure that they stay healthy.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Naomi_West

Pet Turtle Care : Looking After Aquatic Turtles

2009-04-02T05:49:00.004+07:00

Pet Turtle Care

If you are interested in keeping a pet turtle in your home, there are a lot of different types to choose from, including those who can live in dry habitats and those that require wet habitats. Whichever kind of pet turtle you choose, you should know what caring for it involves and what it takes to look after turtles at home.

One of the first and most important things that you should consider when looking for a pet turtle is whether you want an aquatic turtle or a turtle that lives in a dry habitat. If you choose an aquatic turtle, also known as a water turtle, you need to be sure that you have the right kind of equipment in your home to properly provide for its care.

Aquatic turtles generally have shells that are softer and lighter in color than those of land based turtles. This helps them to stay in the water without sinking and to swim faster and with more agility than larger turtles or land based turtles. They have different colorings and markings on their shells, showing the kind of turtle they are and where they come from.

Semi-aquatic turtles make excellent pets to have in your home. You need to make sure, however, that you provide a suitable environment for them which includes both an area to swim around in and a basking ground with plenty of sunshine (or a UV lamp). The temperature of the environment needs to be carefully regulated. The water should be kept cooler than the rest of the habitat.

You should also keep in mind that aquatic turtles, like most other types of turtles kept as pets, do have a long life expectancy; some breeds live for many decades while some can even go up to a hundred years!

They are prone to various diseases so make sure to carefully note any changes in their behavior. Give special attention to the condition of their shell, as this is usually an indicator if something is wrong with your turtle. They need plenty of fresh vegetables to eat and a shallow bowl of fresh drinking water available to them at all times. Aquatic turtles can indeed make wonderful pets.

Do you need more information about caring for water turtles?please visit: Aquatic Turtles

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_Bryan

Pet Turtle Care : Top Tips on Choosing the Right Turtle Tanks

2009-04-02T05:46:00.003+07:00

Pet Turtle Care

When you decide to keep a turtle as a pet, you have to invest in turtle tanks to put the turtles in. Turtles are low maintenance creatures and once they have settled down in their tanks, they really require nothing much except clean, fresh, bacteria-free water that is aerated.

In terms of maintenance, they are as demanding as fishes - meaning, they are not demanding at all. Give your turtle its freedom in the turtle tanks and it will be more than happy, paddling by itself and sometimes looking out for its owner or following simple commands.

Turtles are extremely hassle-free pets.

Necessity of turtle tanks

Even before you buy your favorite species of turtle, you need to decide on the tank as a turtle requires a proper natural habitat to survive.

A spacious roomy turtle tank with clean, fresh, bacteria-free, aerated water is necessary to prevent the development of skin and shell disease and ear abscess which are results of poor hygiene. It may even turn fatal. You should also never overcrowd the tank with more turtles than it can fit.

Set up a turtle tank outside the home, close to nature, in a corner of your yard where the turtle will feel happiest. Your yard should be a safe place, short of predators or environmental concerns.

Don't keep your turtle tank out in the yard if you spray pesticides on your plants. It will be harmful for your turtle.

Living outside in the open, in harmony with nature will ensure that a turtle knows when it's time to go into hibernation. A proper hibernation ensures a healthy liver. If you keep the turtle inside your home, it won't be able to determine the right time to hibernate and may fall prey to liver damage.

Size of turtle tanks

40-gallon turtle tanks should be the minimum size. You may want to go for a bigger tank (as needed), but it should certainly not be smaller than this as turtles require roomy habitats.

Features of turtle tanks

Must haves in a turtle tanks are:

• A dry land area

• A bit of marshy region

• Water area

Most turtles that are kept as pets are amphibians that paddle about in the water and love to bask in the sun on a dry piece of land. They should be able to submerge themselves completely in the water and at the same time stick their heads out of their shells comfortably. Water depth can't be more than 2 feet. Appetite-whetting plants should be planted in the marsh.

For tips on box turtle care and turtle breeding, visit the Turtle Facts website.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_J_Lee

Pet Turtle Care : Box Turtle Care

2009-03-27T23:52:00.005+07:00

Pet Turtle Care

Congratulations, you have a new box turtle. But how do you take care of your precious new friend? Taking care of a box turtle can take some work, but there are simple steps to ensure that your box turtle is happy in his new home.

First you must decide housing for the turtle. Will you keep it indoors or outdoors? If you decide to keep the turtle outside, make sure that the area is similar to the turtle’s natural habitat. There should be plenty of sun since box turtles are reptiles, but also shade in case the turtle becomes overheated under the constant heat of the sun. Provide water for your turtle so that it is deep enough for swimming. The home should have weed-like plants and insects for consumption. An outdoor setting is probably the home a turtle would choose. However, an indoor home properly made will keep your box turtle just as happy and safe.

If you build your turtle a home indoors, use a container like those made by Rubbermaid. The best option is to have a large, dark container that the turtle cannot see through. A turtle can become perplexed and frightened looking out of a clear container. One of my box turtles constantly tried to climb through the wall of his clear container, so I had to move him. The container should be large and filled a few inches deep with a substrate such as “Bed-a-Beast.” Then provide a hiding place for the turtle such as a hollow log. You should make a pool for the turtle since that is where a turtle usually poops. I used the plastic lid of a container for food. Make sure that the pool is not too deep. Every day, keep the entire tank moist by spraying the surfaces of the home.

Inside the home of the turtle, keep the temperature fairly warm in the lighted area- about 80 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Use UV-B light to keep the turtle healthy and active all day. Another option is to take your turtle outside to soak in the sun for about an hour a day. The natural sunlight is tremendously healthy for your turtle, although he may not enjoy it at first. Just remember, you know what’s best for your turtle. Keep an area away from the light so that the turtle can rest there when he’s had enough light. This is why it is important to have a container that is large enough for two distinct areas.

The food a turtle eats is obviously very important to its health. A person must watch his or her own diet. It is your responsibility, however, to feed your turtle healthy foods. A turtle will eat almost anything, from fruits and vegetables to insects and worms. Another factor you should consider is providing edible materials with high calcium levels such as boiled eggshells or a cuttlebone that you can buy at any pet store. One final hint to feeding your turtle- have fun with it. Be creative in feeding your turtle from day to day because you do not want to create an addiction to one food by feeding it the same thing each day. Keep the turtle’s diet balanced with half plant and half meat.

I have a few final hints below on how to take care of your new box turtle.

1. If your turtle does not eat, try soaking the food in water first. Or, if you are constantly there watching your turtle, he may never come eat the food. Unfortunately, you can easily frighten turtles, so leave your turtle alone to eat peacefully.

2. Change the water in an indoors home every day to keep it clean since that is the most likely place a turtle will defecate. When coaxing a turtle to do this, use warm water to help him.

3. If a turtle burrows deep into the substrate and does not come up for a few days, don’t worry. This is completely natural since turtles enjoy being in tight spaces. However, make sure that your turtle gets enough food.

4. Feed your turtle on a rock because this will help him scratch away extra-long toenails.

Just follow the easy tips above, and you will be an expert caretaker for your new turtle. Do not neglect your turtle since it is helpless without you. Be responsible and enjoy your friendship.

Joshua Park is a college student studying biology. He enjoys sports, comedic movies, and music. To learn more about box turtles or to read other articles this author has written, please visit http://www.true-money.com/ by clicking the link.

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Pet Turtle Care : What Type of Food Do Turtles Eat

2009-03-27T23:51:00.003+07:00

Pet Turtle Care

To answer the question "What do turtles eat?" we'll start by listing the common types of turtles and what they like to eat:

• While River Cooter turtles feed primarily on plants, Map turtles and Malayan Box turtles eat meat and lots of plants.

• American Box turtles feed on anything it gets.

• Meat forms the principle diet of the Chinese 3-Striped Box turtles.

• The Red-Eared Slider turtles end up being omnivores on maturity after starting off eating bugs and worms when they are young.

• Snapping turtles look for small creatures to eat, while most other turtles simply eat plants.

• Most turtles eat shellfish, insects, water plants or fish.

• To ward off predators, turtles often eat poisonous plants like poisonous rhubarb, ivy and avocado found near their habitat.

• Pond turtles in the US eat from a wide list consisting of insects, arthropods, small shellfish, snails, worms and small fish.

• Poisonous plants should not be in a pet turtle's diet as the owner may not know which plants they were acclimatized to in their natural surroundings.

• What pet turtles should eat is good and healthy food. If you bought the turtle from a pet store, they most likely also sell the food that the turtle eats.

• Aquatic turtles eat aquatic aquarium plants, small live fish, dried shrimp and floating turtle pellets found at the pet store.

• Land turtles eat special pellets made for land turtles. While some eat worms, others eat fruits, vegetables, and meal worms.

• Processed foods with high contents of salt and preservatives run a risk of damaging the turtle's digestive system.

• Milk or dairy products can make them sick and should be totally avoided as their stomachs lack the enzyme for breaking down lactose.

• Turtles sometimes eat fruits such as bananas, grapes, mangoes, blueberries, apples, strawberries and other citrus fruits.

• Turtles can also eat chicken, turkey, cooked fish in small quantities, mealworms, boiled eggs, earthworms, silkworms, shrimps, snails and crickets. Raw meat with too much fat can get contaminated and
should be avoided.

• Domestic turtles eat leafy vegetables like carrot tops, fig leaves, red and green lettuce, corn, green bean and peas, beets, squash, okra and plantain weed.

• Turtles also love to eat flowers like roses, pansies, petunias, borage, geraniums, carnations, hyssop and nasturtium.

• Phosphorus goes with the kind of food preferred by the turtle, but you should take precautions and watch out for the calcium intake and minerals like vitamin D3 in the turtle's diet as they have a direct bearing on its health. Vitamin D3 can be given as a dietary supplement if your turtle is lacking the vitamin. Exposure to sunlight or reptile light also helps in producing it in the turtle's body.

Want to find out about turtle habitat and types of turtles? Get tips from the Turtle Facts website.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_J_Lee

Pet Turtle Care : A Truly Unique and Interesting Pet

2009-03-27T23:49:00.003+07:00

Pet Turtle Care

Turtles can be great pets and it's a fact that children love turtles as their pets. These animals are very fascinating. And there are several types of them too.

If you decide to take a turtle for your pet, try to learn more about these animals first. They require proper care and a certain level of attention. There are some species that can be taken cared of by humans while there are others can't be taken away from their natural habitats.

Generally speaking, there are two types of turtles that you can take home - the aquatic and the terrestrial types. Terrestrial turtles need a lot of time on land while aquatic turtles need to be in water most of the time. It is important that you know which type of turtle you've got so you can take care of it properly.

For terrestrial turtles, you have to prepare a big tank and some mud. Mud turtles need twelve hours worth of sunlight every day. If you can't take them outside, use a UV lamp instead. Terrestrial turtles also need to be in a place with a temperature of 80 degrees during the day and 70 at night. And while these pets prefer the land, they also need fresh water to drink and swim about.

As for the aquatic turtles, the common species are the painted turtles and the sliders. The sliders want swampy areas. They live near the lakes that have lots of mud. They tend to go out in the sun in broad daylight and then swim during the night to cool off. But then, they still have to spend more time submerged in the water than out in the sun. Between the sliders and the painted turtles, the latter is the specie that is a lot harder to take care of because of the special things it needs.

At this point, you should have decided on the type of turtle you want. The next thing to think about is the size of the tank you'll buy. You normally need a 40 gallon tank - or larger if you want a larger specie or if you want to take care of more than one turtle. The bigger the tank you have, the better your pet can move around in the water and over the land.

Plants are required, but you have to be sure that they're not poisonous. Don't put barks and wood chips in the tank either, as bacteria and molds might form on them. Turtles tend to munch on these things too, although their digestive tract can't handle it. Instead, add some small rocks and mud for the turtle to play on.

As for food, your pet would need berries, lettuce, and some feed sticks. Some species eat goldfish and insects too. You also have to be very particular about the water these pets drink and swim on. Use mineral or spring water instead of tap water in the tank.

The chemicals and chlorine in tap water can be very harmful to your turtle pet. Chlorine and other chemicals in the tap water can cause bacteria in their digestive systems.

PetCareGuide.Org - pet care articles and tips. Read the review of the TurtleGuideBook - turtle pet care guide.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cristian_Stan

Pet Turtle Care : Learn How to Take Care of Turtles Before You Buy Live Turtles For Sale

2009-03-27T23:46:00.004+07:00

Pet Turtle Care

Most potential turtle owners are unaware that most pet turtles require a dry as well as a wet habitat, and that the temperature of these should be conducive for the turtle's well-being. A turtle needs a lot of fresh food. Clean, fresh water should be kept in a shallow bowl and should be readily accessible to the turtle. You should have the knowledge to be able to recognize the difference between male and female turtles because of their different care requirements.

Feeding A Proper Diet To Your Pet Turtles -

One needs to be sure that they are feeding their pet turtle the proper turtle food to sustain its life and be healthy. Generally turtles require fresh vegetables such as lettuce to stay healthy. However, there are species of turtles that require a meat based diet too.

Your Baby Turtle Will Not Stay A Baby For Long -

Usually one gets a baby turtle and then is amazed to see of fast the baby turtles turns into an adult. Obviously the food intake of your turtle increases when it becomes an adult but more importantly if you didn't foresee the rapid growth of your turtle and purchased a turtle habitat that is too small be prepared to be set back by $200 to $1000.

Caring For Turtles -

You should also know that turtles require daily care. Another popular myth is that turtles hibernate for months. This is untrue, so making sure that somebody is taking care of your pet turtles if your planning to go out of town. Checking your turtle on a regular and systematic basis to detect any early signs of an illness is also a must.s

If you do eventually decide to keep turtles as pets its important that you stay committed to their care to have a happy, healthy pet turtle. I've prepared the most complete Turtle Care Guide that answers all the questions of any potential or current turtle owner: http://willed.info/turtle-care-ahreview

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Saif_Shah

Pet Turtle Care : Turtle and Terrapin Care Sheets

2009-03-27T23:45:00.003+07:00

Pet Turtle Care

When it comes to the care of your pet turtle or terrapin are you sure you know what you're doing? Or perhaps you've read up on it a little but find you keep forgetting important things, like changing its water every three days or so?

Turtles actually need a pretty well thought-out environment to live happily in, as well as a lot more care and attention than people realize.

Probably one of the best ways to keep reminding yourself of how to care for your pet is to pin a 'care sheet' somewhere really obvious, like above the turtle's tank for instance.

This care sheet can be one you print out from a good website or one you create yourself using information from different sources. In any case, the more research you do, the better.

One of the most important aspects to turtle care is, obviously enough, what you feed them. What are less obvious are the subtle differences between turtle types in terms of what to feed them and at what age. A general rule of thumb is if it's a baby turtle you feed it meat (cooked or fat-free) and as it gets older you start adding more and more leafy greens to its diet. Older turtles will be almost entirely herbivorous but a balanced diet is still essential.

But does a slider eat the same thing as a painted turtle? And what precisely does a terrapin eat? (A terrapin, by the way, is usually just the term used for pet turtle in the United Kingdom so you need to figure out what kind of 'terrapin' you have before finding the right care sheet for it.)

Further, what on earth is the right environment for a box turtle? (Also known as a tortoise, the box turtle is a fully terrestrial reptile so do not put it in water, it will drown. And die.)

Then again, you've got details like nutrition supplements and ambient temperature to think about. There are mineral and vitamin supplements you can add to your turtle's diet about once a week or so but how much is right for your pet?

What kind of turtle needs what kind of supplement? It is generally advisable to put a calcium block in the turtle's dry habitat for them to snack on occasionally. That helps to ensure good shell health, as do daily doses of unfiltered, natural sunlight.

In any case, a turtle care sheet that you create and keep updating regularly as you learn more about your turtle can make all the difference. If you are away on a trip, for instance, or your turtle out-lives you (some grow to be a hundred years old!), then the care sheet will ensure that your pet continues to be cared for in the best possible way.

Liked this article? Read more at: Turtle and Terrapin Care Sheets

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Pet Turtle Care : Common Pet Turtles

2009-03-27T23:43:00.003+07:00

Pet Turtle Care

When it comes to pet turtles it may seem they are all pretty much the same thing. In fact, turtles are quite differentiated and each breed and type of pet turtle has its own unique features, habits and requirements. Some of the most distinctive differences across types are the colors and markings on their shells.

Land based turtles have different kinds of shells than do sea turtles or water based turtles like terrapins. Water based turtles tend to have lighter color shells, less distinctive markings and softer shells as well than the land based turtles.

The most popular pet turtles include the box turtle and the slider turtle varieties. The most common breeds of turtles, such as the yellow bellied turtles, slider turtles, mud turtles and box turtles, all have distinctive colorings and markings and an average life expectancy of about fifty years.

Some have a little bit less or more, but a fair number have been known to outlive their owners. This is, therefore, something to be considered when looking for a turtle pet. You have to be willing to commit to providing for your pet turtle for a long time.

Box turtles are one of the most common types of turtles and are commonly known for their dome shaped shells. They can live on a diet of fresh vegetables like fresh leafy greens but also enjoy other foods like snails, insects, fungi, berries, slugs, roots, worms and flowers.

During certain times of the season males will contend for the affections of a single female so if you're planning to own more than one pet turtle of differing genders you will have to think about that.

Mud turtles are a common breed of aquatic turtles and there are certain species of mud turtles that are normally kept as household pets. These require, similarly to the red-eared slider and the painted turtle, both a wet environment and dry environment to live in.

Other common types of pet turtles include the yellow bellied turtles which also have a long life expectancy and thrive on fresh leafy greens as a major part of their diet.

Regardless of what kind of turtle you get as a pet, you will need to provide for fresh food and water as well a comfortable, climate-controlled environment for them.

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Pet Turtle Care : How to Create Pet Turtle Habitats at Home

2009-03-27T23:42:00.003+07:00

Pet Turtle Care

Turtles are just like any other pet animal; they will warrant a certain degree of commitment for an individual to be able to effectively take care of them. And just like other pets, it's important to set up proper pet turtle habitats before you go about acquiring your first turtles to take care of. Designing a place for your turtles to live in is not as simple as you may think it is. For the most part, you will need to create a space that is pretty much like the natural pet turtle habitats that the reptile thrives in.

Species differences Before you go about designing and setting up your pet turtle habitats, it's important to note that different species will require different environments. For instance, there are certain turtles that can live in fresh water and there are those that require some sort of muddy environment. Pet turtle habitats tend to vary and the idea is to consider specific space requirements as well as the area of your home that you have allotted for your pet.

For some enthusiasts, it's better to run a research first on your options and consider your own living space before acquiring a specific type of turtle. It's better if you get a pet that will easily adjust with the type of home that you have. For instance, if you don't have a lot of backyard space, you will logically have to set up pet turtle habitats indoors. This will mean getting turtles that will do just fine without much sunlight. Accessories While the best place to keep pet turtle habitats is still outdoors where they can get enough warmth from the sun and conveniently hibernate during the winter season, some people opt to keep their pets indoors for a lot of reasons. This is perfectly fine so long as you make sure that the pet turtle habitats come equipped with such accessories as UV lamps that can provide the same heat that the sun offers.

Since turtles normally live on both land and water, it's important that the tank of your pet turtle habitats come with a dry space where your pets can easily take a break from being in the water for too long. You will also need to install filters that should be regularly cleaned to keep your pets from developing fungus on their shells which can be difficult to treat. A slanted design for the tank is common among pet turtle habitats and you can easily buy these enclosures in specialized pet stores. Alternatively, you can also have the tank custom-made although this will probably cost more. Serious turtle lovers usually have pet turtle habitats specifically designed to suit their needs. For beginners, you can probably start with a smaller tank and work your way up as you go along. Keeping it natural You will want to keep your pet turtle habitats as natural-looking as possible so that it doesn't take much for your pet to adjust to the new home.

For great turtle care advice, turtle food recommendation or turtle health issues visit us at... http://www.petturtlecare.net/

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