How to Properly Take Care of Your Aquatic Turtle

Painted turtles, mud turtles and snapper turtles, referred to as aquatic turtles, all prefer to live in the water and require more care than land turtles. If an aquatic turtle is not cared for properly, it can become sick and even die. It is important that you understand how much care is involved before you make the commitment to buy an aquatic turtle.

Things You'll Need

  • Glass aquarium
  • Aquarium filter
  • Aquarium heater
  • Aquatic ramp
  • Light
  • Turtle pellets
  • Snails
  • Kale
  • Earthworms
  • Scrub brush
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Instructions

    • 1

      Choose an aquarium for your pet aquatic turtles that will give them room to swim around. According to ExoticPetVet.com, the turtles should not take up more than 25 percent of the floor space in the aquarium to be comfortable.

    • 2

      Change the water in your aquarium once every couple of days or the tank will begin to smell. You can fill the tank 3/4 of the way up with water.

    • 3

      Use an aquarium filter to help keep the water in the tank clean for longer periods of time. If you have an aquarium filter, you may only need to change out the water once each week.

    • 4

      Set up an aquarium heater to keep the water temperature in the tank between 75 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit.

    • 5

      Give your aquatic turtle a place to get out of the water and dry out. You can make an area out of rocks, or you can purchase an aquatic ramp. Make sure you place a light over this area so that the turtle can warm up. It needs to be between 80 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit.

    • 6

      Feed your animals turtle pellets once per day. You can purchase these in any pet store or online. In addition, you may also want to offer your turtles some fresh food. You could give them snails, kale or earthworms.

    • 7

      Empty the aquarium once every two to three weeks, and scrub it down. Otherwise, bacteria will begin to grow on the sides of the aquarium.