How to Care for a Turtle Indoors

Having a turtle as a pet requires a great deal of effort and care to keep them happy and healthy. Turtles may not be an ideal pet for small children, as their health and habitat need consistent monitoring. The proper equipment, treatment, and diet are necessary to ensure a long and healthy life for an indoor turtle. The following instructions provide tips on caring for an aquatic turtle, a common species that adapts well to living indoors.

Things You'll Need

  • 40-gallon glass tank
  • Rocks
  • Mineral water
  • De-chlorinate water
  • UV bulb
  • Incandescent bulb
  • Calcium block
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Instructions

  1. Housing

    • 1

      Select a tank that is at least 40 gallons. The turtle needs ample space for swimming and resting.

    • 2

      Create an area for swimming on one side and use rocks to make a raised area for basking under a heat lamp on the other side. Make sure the turtle can easily enter and exit the water.

    • 3

      Use spring water for the turtle's drinking water and de-chlorinated water for its swimming area.

    • 4

      Moderate the temperature and lighting in the tank using a UV lamp and an incandescent lamp. The UV lamp provides the necessary vitamin D3 to keep the turtle's shell healthy. The incandescent lamp heats the tank. Keep the temperature around 80 degrees F during the day and 70 degrees F at night. Place the incandescent lamp above the basking area.

    • 5

      Turn off the lights at night to simulate normal daytime and nighttime conditions in nature. Turtles generally require 12 hours of light per day.

    • 6

      Create a simple shelter out of rocks, wood or purchase a shelter from a pet store for the turtle to retreat. Do not use tree bark or wood chips, which are dangerous to the turtle if ingested.

    • 7

      Clean the tank thoroughly once a month to prevent growth of microorganisms. Place a calcium block made from Plaster of Paris or one purchased from a pet store.

    Feeding

    • 8

      Feed the turtle directly in the water or it will have difficulty swallowing.

    • 9

      Create a diet of a mix of chopped lean, raw meat and occasional greens, such as lettuce. Beef, fish, smelt, fresh shellfish, earthworms, and brine shrimp (for babies) offer a balanced diet. Add calcium, bone meal and liquid or powdered vitamins to their food to supplement their diet. An alternative to raw meat is high-quality prepared food from a pet supply store. Alternate between prepared and fresh food.

    • 10

      Feed large turtles three times a week and small turtles every day. Remove any extra food from the tank after the turtle finishes eating.