Tips on Pet Turtle Care

Turtles are popular pets among both children and adults mainly because they are seen as easy pets that require little care. Taking the time to learn how to care for a pet turtle the right way will provide you with a pet that will live for many years.

  1. Water Levels

    • Make sure your turtle has plenty of room to swim.

      Even a turtle that is only partially aquatic will need a sufficient amount of water to swim in. Your turtle's home will need to have a section that contains water that is at least as deep as his shell is long. This will provide ample room for swimming while allowing your turtle to exit the water easily.

    Feeding

    • Most turtles need food in the water, so feeding dishes are not necessary.

      Turtles benefit from a varied diet and need to have their nutritional needs met to maintain good health. Feed your turtle a selection of live or cut-up fish as well as beef liver or heart. Small insects with soft bodies, not including flies or ants, are also good sources of protein. Provide dark leafy greens, such as romaine and endive lettuce, or pond weeds, such as duckweed. Nutritional supplements made specifically for turtles can be mixed in to the food once a week to ensure proper nutrition. It is best to feed your turtle in the water section of the habitat because most turtles are able to swallow food only while underwater.

    Habitat

    • A sufficient turtle habitat needs to be at least as large as a 20-gallon aquarium for a small turtle. It will need plenty of room to roam as well as room for a water area. A dry area above the water needs to have rocks or plants in it to provide quiet places for the turtle to relax. An enclosure that is bigger in length than in depth is the best, and a simple wire top is all that is needed. The temperature of the turtle's habitat needs to be maintained in the high 70s. A basking light needs to be hung above the habitat to provide an area where the temperature is between 80 and 85 degrees.

    Health

    • A turtle that is not active or is not eating well is most likely not in the correct temperature. Check the temperature of the habitat by placing a thermometer inside and adjust it as needed. A turtle that is not getting a nutritious diet will often develop a soft shell or one that thickens and curls at the edges. If this occurs, add more nutrients to the turtle's diet.