How to Make Turtle Farms

Turtles are popular pets, as they require little space and are easy to look after, but breeding them is much more problematic. All reptiles are notoriously difficult to breed in captivity as they are sensitive to their conditions. There is no fool-proof method to ensure a successful breeding season, but ensuring the health and happiness of the turtles is the best way to encourage reproduction.

Things You'll Need

  • Enclosure
  • Pond
  • Water
  • Soft sand or soil
  • Fish
  • Vitamin supplements
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Instructions

    • 1

      Give the turtles as large an enclosure as possible. A realistic habitat increases the chances of successful breeding. Provide a pond filled with clean filtered water in which the turtles can swim.

    • 2

      Feed the turtles a well-balanced diet of fish, shellfish, insects and vitamin supplements. A healthy turtle is more likely to breed.

    • 3

      Allow the turtles to hibernate naturally rather than putting them into hibernation. Most reappear from hibernation around March and May and are ready to mate at that time.

    • 4

      Separate small and large male turtles at breeding time. Larger males become aggressive during this period and may attack and kill smaller turtles.

    • 5

      Pair up similar sized males and females in separate enclosures. This will stop breeding males fighting each other for a female.

    • 6

      Leave a supply of soft soil or sand in the enclosure where females can lay their eggs. The incubation period for turtle eggs is around 90 days. The soil or sand needs to be 8 or 9 inches thick and secluded from the rest of the enclosure by logs or rocks so the female believes it is safe from predators.

    • 7

      Keep an eye on young turtles. In captivity, there is risk they may not get enough food because the adults are all able to fend for themselves. It may be worth separating baby turtles from the adults for awhile to ensure they get enough food.