Tips on How to Raise a Turtle

Turtles are among the cutest most lovely pets around. The following are tips on how to look after turtles. As other common pet animals, turtles may not seem to be demanding, but they too have important needs, which need to be attended with love and care. They do not bark and jump around. You usually have to expect or imagine what your turtle needs. Here are a few important tips when looking after your turtle.

Take Into Account The Different Species

Always keep in mind that not all turtles are same. There are so many different species and sub species among turtles. Each one may need different lodging facilities, eating habits, and water needs. Individual attention needs to be paid even within similar turtle family species. For example, Box turtles are classified into two major groups as American and Asian turtles. Each turtle has uniquely different nature and have unlike requirements. Firstly, clearly identify the family species of your turtle, after that you can create the perfect conditions for its living.

Outdoor species

Turtles normally live in outdoor areas naturally. The lodging that you provide for your turtle must closely match their natural living spots. It means they should be more or less kept outdoors, for example in a lawn. This is the very vital consideration to succeed in patronizing a turtle.

They should have a wide natural enclosure that is at least 15 feet from side to side, so that they can move around. The accommodation provided must have a water pond in which they can rest. They should be given a savoring place as well as a shadowed place.

Indoor Home

If you are not able to supply a fully protected outdoor accommodation, you have to allocate an indoor turtle home without fail; this is for their safety sake. Keep in mind that there are aquatic turtles that wish to swim in deep water and there are also turtles that prefer shallower areas. While selecting your turtle you should keep all these in mind and then choose what can you accommodate in your home.

Aquatic turtles are usually kept in aquariums in deep water. Relishing area, heat source and a light source are essential for these species. Those that are mainly land living with some need for water should be kept out of aquariums. They would live better in wide wooden or plastic cages with the right substratum and a wading dish. Potting soil will be the best suitable substratum for turtles. Avoid wood shavings as they may result in some health problems, for example Pine is poisonous. Wading and drinking water should not contain chlorine or any other chemicals. Do not use treated water for turtles.

Feeding

Turtles are omnivores normally. Turtle species however can be mainly plant eaters or animal eaters. You must find out what your turtle is before you know how to look after it. Generally, turtles benefit the most from a variety of mixed foods every meal time. Vegetables and fruits mixed with worms would be ideal food for turtles. It is a fact that some turtles do not eat daily and some other breeds will not eat at all for a string of days. So avoid panicking about their fasting. In such cases, watch their physical activity and movements. If it is active and wandering around, then there is nothing to worry.

Stated above are basic tips only. There may be other important and missed points that you need pay attention. Just concentrate yourself to find out first about your turtle species before proceeding further.