How to Care for & Feed a Pet Turtle

Turtles are not easy pets to care for because each species requires specific care and feeding. Two of the most common types of pet turtles are the red-eared slider and the box turtle. Box turtles usually only grow to about 6 inches long while red-eared sliders can grow to 12 inches long. To have healthy and happy pet turtles, they need to live in environments that resemble their natural habitats and consume a diet that provides all the nutrients they need.

Things You'll Need

  • Aquarium, plastic tub or plywood cage
  • Smooth rocks
  • Heat lamp, room heater or heat pad
  • Artificial turf
  • Plants
  • Commercial turtle food
  • Fruits and vegetables
  • Insects
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Instructions

  1. Red-Eared Sliders

    • 1

      Purchase a glass aquarium or plastic tub to house your turtle. An adult red-eared slider can grow to 12 inches and will require a 55-gal. aquarium or tub, according to the Animal Planet website.

    • 2

      Mimic the slider's natural habitat by including a dry and heated area in the aquarium where the turtle can stay warm. Use smooth rocks or driftwood to create a platform out of the water.

    • 3

      Keep the water temperature in the tank at 75 degrees Fahrenheit and the temperature of the dry area at 85 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit, the Animal Planet website recommends. Use a heat lamp or room heater to achieve the desired temperatures.

    • 4

      Clean your turtle's aquarium routinely to prevent bacteria from contaminating the water. How often you need to clean the tank depends on whether you use a filter and if the turtle is fed in the same aquarium. Always de-chlorinate the water before placing the turtle in the aquarium.

    • 5

      Feed adult sliders every other day and juveniles every day. The Animal Planet website says the slider's diet consists of three categories: commercial foods, animal products and plant products. Less than 25% of the total diet should contain commercial foods such as turtle pellets. Also, less than 25% should contain protein sources including earthworms, feeder fish, snails, crickets or raw lean beef. 50% of the diet should be plant sources such as green beans, collard greens, shredded carrots and fruit.

    Box Turtles

    • 6

      Create a home for your turtle in a large aquarium or build a cage from plywood. The floor space of the cage should be at least 3 to 4 square feet, according to Dr. Mark Burgess, DVM.

    • 7

      Fill the bottom of the cage with artificial turf and add rocks and plants that the turtle can hide behind. Provide a water bowl big enough for the turtle to lie in. Keep water in the bowl very shallow, no higher than the turtle's chin, according to the Healthy Pet website.

    • 8

      Keep the temperature in the cage around 75-85 degrees Fahrenheit and provide ultraviolent light 12-14 hours each day to imitate natural sunlight, recommends Dr. Burgess. To heat the cage, use a heating pad underneath the artificial turf or a heat lamp above the cage.

    • 9

      Feed juvenile box turtles daily and adults at least 3 times a week. A box turtle's diet consists of 75-85% fruits and vegetables and 15-25% commercial turtle food, states Dr. Burgess. Vegetables can include spinach, kale and dandelions. Only use fruits as special treats.