Turtle Care Buying Guide
If a dog seems like too much of a commitment, cats are too unpredictable, rodents are too smelly, and fish are too boring, then a pet turtle 
may be right for you! Turtles are fascinating pets to own, however many people buy them without a clue of how to care for them properly. They will need to have the right amount of space, light, shade, and moisture to survive. So to ensure the best for your new little friend, we have gathered some essential tips to help you out.
Can You Handle This?
Since there are so many specific kinds of turtles, you will have to do your homework before you buy. However, there are some generic ideas that you should be prepared to undertake before you decide embark on this endeavour. To properly care for your turtle, you will need to:
- Make them feel at home. Some turtles require a wet environment, while some prefer dryness; others need a combination of both. Know what it is that your species of turtle requires to feel at home, and then try to provide that setting the best that you can.
- Provide a suitable diet. You want your turtle to have a healthy and long life, so be sure to give it the proper nutrition. More often than not, turtles thrive on fresh veggies (mainly lettuce), but it is recommended that you research your species so you know what it will like as a treat.
- Group them accordingly. Some turtles will want to be grouped with other turtles, and some are best left alone. If you will be grouping your turtles, be sure to do so by similar proportions and sizing.
- Constantly maintain. You should assume a responsibility to take good care of your pet. Note any changes in personality or habits, as something may be wrong with your turtle's health.
- Be dedicated. Understand that turtles can live for a long time, typically 30-50 years, though some have even reached their hundredth birthday. With this kind of life span, you have to be sure you are able to commit to turtle care for an extensive period of time.
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Tank Setup
First know that a turtle tank is not the same as a typical aquarium setup. Typically, a 25-50 gallon tank will suffice, but many turtles do grow very quickly; you will need to increase the tank size over time.
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- Many turtles require both land and water. The depth of the water must be more than the length of the turtle, so that the turtle can easily get in and out of the water. The basking area can comprise of simply large rocks.
- The larger the stones and the more decoration that you put into the tank, the bigger the tank will need to be. You can decorate the tank if you wish, though turtles will not require anything fancy. Gravel can be placed in the bottom of the tank, and sturdy plants (or plastic ones) can be a nice touch. However, delicate plates will get eaten very quickly in there, so avoid that mess altogether.
- There are other very important accessories that you will need to have present in your tank. They include:
- When it's time to clean the tank, transfer your turtle to another temporary container. Remove the water and clean the filter along with any accessories in the tank. NEVER use soap; a mixture of water and white vinegar will work wonders. Any small pieces can be cleaned off with a toothbrush, and the interior can be wiped down with a paper towel.
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Turtle Food Facts
Knowing when and what to give your pet turtle is the key. Many turtles eat both meat and vegetables, so a balanced diet will include a healthy combination of both. However, some species (like the tortoise ) are only vegetable loving, thus only eating plants and grasses. Others are scavengers feeding on insects and sea creatures. Know which food group your turtle belongs to. You can then buy commercialised food or you can chop up appropriate amounts of fresh food yourself.
- Some turtles have a preferred time of day that they like to eat their food. The first few days that you have your turtle, you will want to closely observe its habits. Of course, you will not want to supply food that your turtle will refuse; it only contaminates the tank. After watching its habits, you will know just when and what the turtle wants to eat, making your life easier.
- Researchers have shown that exposing your pet turtle to small fish which they could catch is actually an exercise and a new avenue to discover what they want. The point here is an omnivorous turtle may want more vegetables when they grow older or vice versa. You will really never know unless you try to expose them to other food varieties.
- It is necessary for a turtle to have clean drinking water at all times. You will want to provide a separate container for this purpose.
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Turtle Health Care
These slow-moving pets obviously do not have the capacity to say what they feel when something is wrong, but a keen observer would know that there is a problem by merely looking at the turtle. A slight change in behaviour, a change in shell colour, or even a change in their swimming pattern would indicate that something is wrong with your pet.
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- The easiest indicator of an ailing turtle is its shell. Interestingly, a slight change in colour or a shell deformity will actually reveal that there is deficiency on its vitamin or calcium intake; a rash or scratch is a sign of an injury. Though skin shedding for some animals may be normal, for a pet turtle it may be a sign of a fungal infection.
- Sick turtles can get a runny nose and swollen eyes. We are not the only ones! If you see these signs coupled with your turtle's sluggishness, it may mean that your pet is suffering from a bacterial or respiratory infection. This usually occurs if their habitat is contaminated, so check their turtle tank and be sure it is always clean. A "cold" may also be due to a wrong and/or imbalanced diet.
- If you are aware of your turtle's habits, then you can use your resources to figure out a possible reason to why they are experiencing sick symptoms. Protecting your turtle’s health is easy if you can easily recognise the warning signs. If all else fails, you always have your animal doctor that can always help in taking care of your sick turtle.
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Related Guides
Check out some of our other guides!
External Links
- AllTurtles.com: Turtle care and feeding information, along with pictures and a useful forum.
- PetTurtleCareGuide.com: Read this article to distinguish whether or not a pet turtle is right for you.
- TurtleBunker.com: Learn more about how to care for different turtle species.
