The Care of a Red Bellied Turtle

Red bellied turtles are native to Florida and southern Georgia. The males grow 7 to 9 inches long; the females 11 to 13 inches. These turtles are found in habitats such as marshes, lakes, ponds and rivers. The turtles enjoy swimming and basking in the sun on rocks. They are also social, which make them great pets for those who have not cared for turtles before.

Things You'll Need

Tank, at least 90 gallons per turtle, 100-plus capacity is preferred
Sand, enough to cover the bottom of tank
Large rock, big enough that the turtle can sunbath on it
Turtle food, Mazuri or ReptoMin
UVB Lighting
Heat Lamp
Distilled water
Thermometer

Instructions

- 1
  Cover the base of the tank with sand. Make sure the bass is fully covered. Place the large rock where near to one of the inside corners of the tank; the UVB and heat lamp need to be within range of this area.
- 2
  Fill the tank with the distilled water. Fill it up enough so the turtle can submerge in the water, but not so high that it overtakes the large rock. The sand will billow out into the water while you are filling the tank. Wait until the sand settles back to the bottom of the tank again before placing your red bellied turtle.
- 3
  Attach the UVB light and the heat lamp to the upper side of the tank. Adjust the heat lamp so it is directed on the large rock. This is where your red bellied turtle will bask. Switch them on.
- 4
  Check the temperature of the water, the air and the basking temperature in the tank. The water should be between 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. The air should be 80 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit and the basking temperature, the temperature under the heat lamp, should be from the high-80s to low-90s degrees Fahrenheit.
- 5
  Place your turtle into its new habitat once you have the temperatures within the ideal ranges. Feed your turtle the prepared turtle food. The amount varies by kind, follow the direction on the package you purchase.