How to Build a Good Habitat for a Painted Turtle

Painted turtles, found throughout the United States, need a combination of wet and dry areas in their habitats. You can create these by dividing the space in a large tank. If the turtle is a hatchling, a smaller tank will do, but you will need to upgrade to a larger one as the turtle reaches maturity. You should be able to find everything you need in the reptile section of your local pet supply retailer.

Things You'll Need

  • Aquarium (at least 20 gallons)
  • Dechlorinated water
  • Large rocks or stones
  • Water filter
  • Water heater
  • Thermometer
  • Clip-on lamp with full-spectrum bulb
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Instructions

    • 1

      Fill the tank with at least as many inches of dechlorinated water as your turtle is wide. You can dechlorinate water by boiling it and then letting it cool or by adding a dechlorination agent purchased from the pet supply store. Painted turtles are good swimmers, so it is better to have more water than is necessary than too little.

    • 2

      Stack the rocks on one side of the aquarium to create a basking area. This should provide a stable platform that is higher than the water level, but not so high that the turtle cannot climb on to it easily from the water.

    • 3

      Place the filter, heater and thermometer in the water, positioning them according to their manufacturers' instructions. Set the heater to warm the water to 75 degrees.

    • 4

      Clip the lamp to the side of the tank, above the basking area. This should heat the area to the 85 to 90 degrees it should be for the turtle's health and comfort.