Take Care of Turtles

Turtles can live for many decades if they are taken care of properly, but that does require proper temperature, feeding, water quality and treatment. Since they are animals that do not need a lot of exercise or attention, it is a good pet for someone with a busy life. Making sure your turtle has enough space to live in, adequate shade, light, water, moisture and basking lamps are only a few of the things you need to take care of for it to stay healthy.

If you keep your turtle indoors, there are things to consider. The tank must hold at least 40 gallons of water. There must be enough space to have a land and water area. There also needs to be an area for the turtle to bask under a lamp. It is important not to take the turtle out of the tank, for a sudden change in temperature can affect the immune system. They take longer to adjust to changes because they are cold-blooded.

The water used in the tank should not be tap water. Fluoride and chlorine can harm the ph balance. Your turtle’s drinking water should be natural water and the swimming water should be de-chlorinated. Chlorine can be removed from water by simply letting it set for 24 hours before you add it to the tank. The water in the tank needs to be kept very clean to help prevent health issues. A filtration system can be used to maintain the best water quality.

The tank needs to be set up to meet the needs of your turtle. Two-thirds of the tank should be set up for swimming and one-third for basking. A full-spectrum ultraviolet light should be set up for basking, which is very important for the turtle. Basking is important for drying and helping fight any problems with the shell. Turtles cannot store Vitamin D3 so they need the exposure to the light to absorb what they need. The temperature in the tank needs to between 77 and 95 degrees. Turtles tend to become slow and stop eating in lower temperatures.

You can find many commercial foods made specifically for turtles. An expert can tell you the exact daily requirements. You can also supplement the diet with snacks like fish, algae, green vegetables, fruit and earthworms.
By following some of these guides and taking proper care of your turtle, it can last a very long time.