Pets411care Basic Turtle and Tortoises Care

PETS411CARE Basic Turtles and Tortoises Care
Love your turtle and tortoise with proper care.

There are about 221 species of turtles and tortoises in the world. Turtles are Semi-aquatic, aquatic and terrestrial. They are part of the reptile family. They are a high maintenance pet that can live up to 50 years some also can live as long as a 100 years. We are talking about a very long term commitment. Turtles and tortoises also come in different sizes and have very different needs. So you will need to research different species to find out which will work for your life style.

There is a lot to the proper care of a turtle or tortoises. You could be looking at spending $400.00 or more in the beginning depending on the species.

Turtle and tortoises can be kept inside or outside. If you have a baby turtle keep it inside until it’s about a year or older before making it an outside pet.

Always remember that your veterinarian is your best source of information on your animal’s health care.

FOOD AND WATER:

Turtle and tortoise need proper food and fresh water daily.

Your turtle or tortoise will need fresh clean water everyday. It is also very important to wash the water bowl out because bacteria and algae can grow in a water bowl. Bacteria and algae can lead to health problems which can lead to a huge medical bill. Just by taking the time and providing your turtle or tortoise with a clean bowl of fresh water you will help keep him or her healthy. Water is the most important thing in any animal’s life.

It is important that you keep a close watch on your turtle's diet, and if you own more than one turtle that they all get their fair share.
Your turtle will need a bowl of water even if they are living in a water aquarium. It will be a clean source of water for your turtle to drink from, as its swimming water is mostly contaminated with urine and feces. No matter which kind of turtle you have they all need clean, fresh water.
You will need to feed your turtle or tortoise once to twice a day, every day.
If your turtle or tortoise has not eaten the food within 30 minutes remove it. You don’t want your turtle to eat old moldy food. Some foods can go bad very quickly. Live food you will not need to worry about. Water turtles need water to help them swallow their prey.
Turtles need a diet of low fat and high protein foods.

What might be good for one turtle might not be good for another turtle but most eat the same thing. Again different species have different needs so do your research.

There are some great supplements out there that help keep your turtle healthy.
Calcium supplements are very important because a turtle needs a hard, strong healthy shell. They need calcium for a growing shell.

Tortoises should be feed a high fiber diet of fresh vegetables and fruit.
Variety is the key to a healthy turtle or tortoises, along with the pellets.
There are vitamin enriched pellets out there for your turtle so it’s a very good idea to get some for your turtle to keep him or her healthy.

Crickets, feeder fish, blood warms, snails, earth worms, or meal worms are great treats for your turtle or tortoise. You should offer some fruit and vegetables like romaine lettuce, duckweed, strawberries, bananas, and kelp to mention a few. Turtles should have live food three times a week.

Sometimes turtles and tortoises will not eat for a period of time or eat less then normal. Do not worry, just keep giving food each day just less then you normally do. When he or she starts eating again then go back to the amount of food you they were eating before. If you feel that they have stopped eating for too long then have your turtle checked out by a veterinarian.

Both aquatic and terrestrial turtles have similar feeding habits, although aquatic turtles seem to keep eating meat even when they are older, whereas terrestrial turtles have a tendency to eat more vegetables. Older turtles eat less meat because they require less protein.
It still comes down to this- different turtles have different needs.

Do not feed:
Dog food
Just any kind of meat
Also if you use insecticides don’t catch bug from your yard and feed it to your inside turtle they will get sick over time.

HOUSING AND BEDDING:

You will need tanks or pens depending on whether the turtle is going to be inside or outside and the type of turtle you have. Some turtles need water to swim in so you might need a pond or a tank.
Make sure your tank will be big enough for your turtle. Some turtles get very big and need room to grow. The size of the pen or tank depends on the species of turtle you get also how many you get. Over crowding your tank can cause problems with the well being of your loving turtles.

HIBERNATION
Some species of turtles need to hibernate. Some kind of den or wooden box will need to be provided. Hibernation happens in the fall. This means you won’t be seeing your turtle until spring. Some turtles develop liver diseases from the lack of hibernation. The turtle should be disturb during hibernation for the fact that it will cause stress or even become fatal.

BASKING
If turtles do not have a place to bask in the sun or under a U.V. light they can end up with shell rot. The basking place should have a temperature of 80-90 degrees Fahrenheit. Turtles being a cold blooded animal, they need a place to warm up.

OUTSIDE PEN
If you are going to keep your turtle outside you must have an enclosure to keep him or her save. No insecticides should be used on the property for fear that your turtle might become sick. There should be an area with loosen soil for the turtle to dig and an area with hay or leaves for the turtle to hibernate. Your turtle will also need a shady spot for those hot days.

SETTING UP THE TANK
Aquatic turtles will need a tank that can hold water, like a fish tank.
Just like a fish tank you need to treat the water before putting your turtle back into the tank. A change temperature or too many chemical that are put in tap water can cause your turtle to get sick or go into shock. So treat the water.
You will need a submersible heater to control the temperature of the tanks.
Sudden change in temperature can have an effect on your turtle’s immune system.
Temperature of the tank should stay between 75 and 80 degrees
It’s better to use natural spring water because tap water can have chlorine and fluoride which can disturb the ph levels.
Gravel at the bottom of tank will give the turtle a place to dig.

Turtles need up to 12 hours of sun a day, so you will need a U.V. light (ultraviolet light).
Your turtle will need a place to get out of the water.
Turtles need a place to dry off or they will get soft shells, so you must provide them with place climb out of the water, and a heating lamp.
Turtle will love to have a place to hide out. A hiding place gives a turtle some well needed down time from prying eyes.

CLEANING UP
This is one pet that can be every messy so lot of cleaning up after them is needed.
You will need a filtering system for the tank to keep their water clean.
If you have a water turtle then you need to change his or her water once a week or more.
Make sure you take uneaten food out of the tank daily.

DANGER

If you put plants into the tank make sure you learn which plants are not poisonous. Turtles love to snack on plants.

Don’t put wood chips into the tank. Wood chips can grow mold from the moisture in the tank. Mold will cause health problems.

VETERINARIAN AND HEALTH:

One of the first things you should do when you first get a turtle or tortoise is set a veterinarian appointment and gives the turtle or tortoise a complete check up.

Make sure there is a veterinarian has treated turtles before.

Talk to your veterinarian about nutrition.

If you notice your turtle seeming lethargic and has cloudy skin patches, or milky eyes, it may be because of poor nutrition or disease.

If your pet is showing any signs of distress or you suspect your pet is seriously ill, CONTACT YOUR VETERINARIAN immediately.

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SALMONELLA
Also, remember to wash your hands after handling your turtles, in order to avoid contamination. Not all turtles are carry salmonella, but it is safer to maintain good hygiene when dealing with pets and their habitats. This goes for the turtle too, as you should keep its tank or pen clean.
You really need to wash your hands after handing a turtle because there is a chance of getting Salmonella. This does not mean all turtles have salmonella just that there is a chance that your turtle could have salmonella. Please talk to your veterinarian about this topic.

There is so much to learn about the care of turtles and tortoises that it is very important to read books and research on the internet before getting a pet like this.

BEFORE GETTING A TURTLE OR TORTOISE GET EVERYTHING THEY WILL NEED.

SHOPPING LIST:
Water (Both Water to swim in and a Water Bowl)
Turtle Food and fresh food(Bugs and Plants)
UV Lighting
Hibernating and sleeping box
Basking rock or wood
Water filter
Pen or tank (depending on the kind of turtle or tortoise you get)
Turtle proof your house and yard (make sure any poison plant are out of your turtles reach)
Submersible heater to keep water warm.

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ONE LAST TIP…
The whole family should help in the care of a turtle or tortoise.

There are many great books that give more detail on the proper care of turtles and tortoises. This web page only gives the basic on turtle and tortoise care. You will need a book on turtles and tortoises that provides more detail information.

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