How to Care for Baby Land Turtles

Many people choose traditional pets like dogs, cats or birds, but for those who desire a more exotic companion, turtles are one creature of choice. Both new pet owners and seasoned herpetologists, or reptile specialists, can enjoy caring for a turtle. Land turtles, water turtles and tortoises all make up the turtle family, but are separated by their living styles. While water turtles spend most of their lives underwater and tortoises live in arid climates, land turtles tend to live on land, but near the water. Caring for baby land turtles can be especially challenging but equally rewarding. Baby turtles have many requirements that, if fulfilled, will help your turtle live a long, healthy life.

Things You'll Need

  • Aquarium (20 gallon or larger)
  • Mixture of peat, bark and potting soil
  • Tropical moss
  • Live, nontoxic plants
  • Dechlorinated water
  • Spray bottle
  • Open-air thermometer
  • Humidity gauge
  • Water dish
  • Basking stones
  • Tank decorations, optional
  • Full-spectrum florescent lighting system
  • Reptile food sticks
  • Soaking dish
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Instructions

  1. Building the Habitat

    • 1

      Create a vivarium, a habitat for raising reptiles and amphibians, by layering an earthy mixture of peat, bark and potting soil, and topping the layers with tropical moss. An aquarium of 20 gallons or more is a good base. Do not pack the layers tightly; baby turtles love to dig.

    • 2

      Add live, nontoxic, tropical plants that have been declared safe for reptiles to the vivarium. Many low-light nontoxic small houseplants such as ivy, ferns and creeping figs will work.

    • 3

      Replace moss and plants as they wilt or when the turtle tramples them. A proper mix of substrate will last many years without needing to be replaced.

    • 4

      Mist the plants and soil with dechlorinated water several times a day. Use a humidity gauge and keep the humidity level between 60 and 80 percent. If a certain species of turtle is native to a more arid climate, alter the environment accordingly, but do not allow a total lack of moisture.

    • 5

      Fill a shallow dish of dechlorinated water. Land turtles are not particularly adept swimmers, so do not use a water dish that is too deep or has steep sides. Include a basking rock and plant decorations for your baby to hide under. Add a small dish for food. Keep all decorations and dishes flush with the soil to avoid creating an obstruction.

    • 6

      Place a heating unit on one side of the container, and in the daytime keep the temperature of the cage between 80 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. At night, allow the enclosure to reach room temperature.

    • 7

      Add florescent lights for the vivarium during the daytime. Adult turtles require UV light, but baby turtles in the wild spend the majority of their first few years underground, so they don't need UV light.

    Care and Feeding

    • 8

      Change the water in the vivarium daily to keep your pet fresh, happy and healthy.

    • 9

      Light the turtle's tank on a schedule that conforms to normal daylight hours. Land turtles are early risers, so set a timer to allow a low light setting in the morning if you find your turtle moving around early.

    • 10

      Observe your turtle often, but do not worry if you do not see it eery day. Baby turtles are notoriously asocial because they spend so much of their early lives underground.

    • 11

      Feed your turtle daily, using reptile sticks specifically for turtles, such as Wardley Reptile Sticks or Reptamin Sticks. Place these in your turtle's food dish and add water until the food is covered and the dish flooded. Many land turtles, especially box turtles, enjoy eating in and under water. Food such as dried bugs are of limited nutritional value to baby turtles, and fruits and vegetables do not become appetizing until later in life.

    • 12

      Track how much of the food you are giving the turtle to make sure he is eating; baby turtles may not eat in front of you. Replace the food daily to avoid mold and insects.

    • 13

      Soak the turtle weekly. Make the turtle active by using water that is 5 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than the ambient temperature, at a level not quite as deep as the turtle is tall. Socialize with the turtle by petting and holding it. Do not use soap.