How to Care for a Baby Cooter Turtle

Cooter turtles are a popular choice for many turtle owners because they are readily available in pet stores. They are also relatively easy to care for and adaptable to life in captivity. Cooter turtles can grow up to 1 1/2 feet long and can live for 40 years, so it's important to plan for their larger size and long life. Like many reptiles and amphibians, cooter turtles require special care to remain healthy. Since baby turtles are not as hardy as adults, it's even more important that they receive the correct care.

Things You'll Need

  • 20-gallon aquarium or larger
  • Rocks
  • Fake aquarium plants
  • Fluorescent aquarium lights
  • Basking light
  • 2 thermometers
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Set up an aquarium for the turtle. For a baby cooter turtle, 20 gallons is about the right size. Keep in mind, though, that the baby turtle will grow. You can either purchase a larger tank to begin with, or buy a bigger tank as the turtle grows.

    • 2

      Fill the tank 6 inches high with fresh water. Increase this depth as the turtle grows.

    • 3

      Pile rocks securely at one end of the aquarium, providing a dry spot for the turtle.

    • 4

      Add fake plants or other turtle decorations, which are available at pet stores, to the habitat.

    • 5

      Install fluorescent aquarium lights about the turtle's habitat. Turtles need these lights to maintain their bone health.

    • 6

      Install a basking light above the dry rocks in the aquarium. This light provides a warm spot for the turtle to sun itself.

    • 7

      Install two thermometers in the aquarium, one at the end where the basking light is, and the other at the opposite end. The temperature in the aquarium should be between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit during the day, and should drop to about 65 degrees Fahrenheit at night. The thermometer near the basking light should register a temperature in the high 80s. If the turtle's habitat is not consistently warm enough, install an under-tank heater.

    • 8

      Install a water filter in the aquarium. This will help to keep the turtle's water cleaner for longer.

    • 9

      Feed the turtle a pre-mixed turtle food, which is available at most pet stores. Feed as much as your turtle can eat in 10 minutes. If you think the turtle is eating slowly, give it a little more time to eat. You can let it munch for up to an hour, depending on how fast it eats. Feed the baby turtle every day. Reduce this to every other day, then to three times a week as the turtle matures. If the turtle starts to look plump, decrease the amount of food.

    • 10

      Clean the turtle's habitat frequently, and perform partial water changes. This is where you remove some of the water from the habitat and replace it with fresh water. Turtles dirty their habitats quickly, so you may need to clean as frequently as once or twice a week.