How to Create an Eastern River Cooter Turtle Habitat

Eastern river cooter turtles, or Pseudemys concinna, are large turtles people commonly keep as pets. The hardy animals are very easy to look after. River cooters live in a variety of locations in the wild, from marshes to rivers, and they thrive in habitats that replicate their natural environments. The small terrapins grow into relatively large adults, with 12-inch shells. The adults live for about 40 years.

Things You'll Need

  • Large aquarium
  • Sand
  • Stones or rocks
  • Bark
  • Aquatic plants
  • Filter
  • Heater
  • Water
  • Digital thermometer with probe
  • Basking light
  • UV light
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Instructions

    • 1

      Purchase an aquarium. River cooter terrapins are quite small, so a 20-liter aquarium will give them sufficient space. As the turtles grow, you will need to replace the aquarium with a larger one.

    • 2

      Pour sand into the aquarium until it has covered the whole floor.

    • 3

      Build a pile of stones and rocks on one side of the aquarium. This needs to be at least three-quarters of the height of the aquarium.

    • 4

      Place some pieces of bark and plants in the sand. Spread these out, as they will provide hiding places for turtles, such as when they are sleeping. Aquatic plants will help to oxygenate the water, and are available in aquarium shops.

    • 5

      Attach a filtration system. Many aquariums will come with a filter, which you should attach to the corner of the aquarium. Many keepers hide the filter behind the rocks, so it is not visible.

    • 6

      Place the aquarium heater into the tank, as the manufacturer instructs. Most heaters need to stand upright, and are easy to fit into place.

    • 7

      Pour water into the aquarium until it is half full.

    • 8

      Turn on the filter, so it can begin to clean the water. Pouring water onto sand often releases residue into the water, which the filter needs to remove before you can put the turtles in.

    • 9

      Turn on the aquarium heater.

    • 10

      Set the digital thermometer probe on the rocks. Attach the thermometer itself to the outside of the aquarium, ensuring it is firmly held in place.

    • 11

      Clip the basking lamp onto the side of the aquarium, above the rocks. This should be high enough so that a turtle cannot touch the lamp when lying on the rocks.

    • 12

      Turn the basking light on, and monitor the temperature. The basking temperature needs to be about 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

    • 13

      Attach the UV light over the other side of the tank, above the water and plants. Ensure that the light gives off 20 to 30 percent UV.

    • 14

      Release the turtles into the aquarium.