How To Design A Turtle Terrarium

How to Design a Turtle Terrarium -

A turtle terrarium is ideal if you want to show off your pet and decorate your house at the same time. You will be providing your turtle a habitat, and adding to the natural feel of your home.

Step 1: Get a tank

You will need to get a tank large enough to accommodate your turtle when it reaches its maturity. The minimum turtle terrarium dimensions should be 3-4 times the length of the turtle, twice the length of the turtle in width, and 1.5-2 times the length of the turtle in height. Add 8-12 inches above the highest level the turtle can reach inside the tank so it cannot escape.

If you have more than one turtle, increase the tank dimensions by 40-60% per turtle.

The tank for your turtle terrarium should preferably be Plexiglas, since regular glass produces glare.

Step 2: Prepare the water and land area

Try not to obstruct the water area so that the turtle can swim freely and not bump into or be stuck on decorations. Place the decorations along the corners instead, covering other turtle terrarium equipment like filters.

Turtles love to bask, so they will need land area to rest on. This can be made of acrylic, glass, thick wood, plastic, or a large stone. Anchor the land area above water level, with a ramp sloped so the turtle can climb on.

Avoid sharp edges or decorations that will block the turtle's path. Also, do not use gravel or other materials that are less than 2 centimeters in diameter.

Step 3: Make sure the water you use is clean

Turtles spend a lot of their time in the water. It is where they swim, eat, drink, and release their waste. Over time, the water will become dirty, and this will make the turtle susceptible to diseases if left unchanged.

Changing the tank water in a turtle terrarium is a tedious job, and is recommended to be done every 45 days, at least. To keep the water clean between each change, you can use a water filtration system instead.

You can also add a teaspoon of salt in every 4-5 liters of water to prevent harmful bacteria, and shell and skin diseases.

Step 4: Decorate the tank

Make the turtle's habitat a bit more homely by adding decorations to it instead of leaving it bare.

Remember to wash and sterilize things you pick up from the road before you put them in the tank. Do not add decorations that are sharp, pointed, or so small that the turtle can swallow them.

You can add commercial decorations, driftwood, gravel, plants, shells, and stones to your turtle terrarium.

Step 5: Provide proper lighting

Turtles also love to bask, which is why you will need to fit a heating or basking light onto the tank. There are several basking lights available in stores. When you install the lights, make sure they focus on the land area where the turtle will rest.

Aside from heat, turtles also need UV light rays for their calcium metabolization. UV lamps are also available in stores.

Step 6: Situate the tank in a convenient corner

Do not place the tank beside a window. Even though turtles need natural sunlight, windowpane glasses filter 95% of the UV rays. Exposing the tank water to direct sunlight will also cause algae to grow faster, which means you will have to change the water more frequently.

After you have followed those simple steps, your turtle terrarium is now ready. But before you put in your turtle, test the environment first by letting small fish live in the water for a while. This is to check if the water is clean and free of diseases. If all is OK, you can set your turtle inside the tank.

Learn everything you need to know about Turtle Tanks and turtle care at this new website: www.TurtleTanks.Org

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_Vidrow

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1062145

Caring for Pet Turtles

Turtles are quickly becoming a common pet to keep. However, if you've never cared for one, there are a few things you need to know to ensure it stays healthy. This article will give you a few tips on caring for pet turtles.

Water

It's important that you don't use regular tap water in your turtle tank. Tap water has chlorine and fluoride which will cause problems with your turtle's pH balance. Instead, your turtle only needs to drink natural spring water. You can use de-chlorinated water for the swimming section of the enclosure.

Tank

The enclosure that you use for your pet turtle needs to be at least 40 gallons. You will need to setup two distinct areas inside the tank. There needs to be a water area and a land area.

Substrate

Your turtle's tank will need some type of substrate. There are different types that you can use. Newspaper is a convenient solution since it's very cheap and easy to clean up. Make sure you don't use a substrate that will cause problems if ingested like wood chips.

Light

You will need to invest in a UV light when caring for pet turtles. If you don't, your turtle won't be able to generate its own vitamin D and may develop various health problems. Turtles bask in the sun which helps them make their own vitamin D.

Hiding

Turtles need to be provided with a hiding spot. This way, they'll have a safe place to go when they don't feel safe. You can make a hiding box out of wood or simply use a shoe box.

Heat

It's also important that you provide your pet turtle with heat. There should be a sun lamp and suitable location for your turtle to bask. The temperature inside the enclosure should be about 70 degrees at night and 80 during the day.

Bacteria

Many turtles carrying around bacteria in their mouths. This bacteria can cause problems with you if you're not careful. Therefore, make sure you always wash your hands after you touch your turtle or anything in his enclosure.

These are a few tips on caring for pet turtles. Make sure you buy a tank that's large enough to hold a land and water area. Also, never give your turtle tap water to drink because the fluoride and chlorine can upset his pH balance. There also need to be hiding areas so your pet can feel safe.

by Edison Chase

Pet Painted Turtle Care - Painted Turtle Care Made Simple and Fun

Pet Painted Turtle care can be simple and fun if you have the right knowledge and equipment.

My family and I keep painted turtles as pets and it has been a great experience for us. A little research can go a long way in providing proper pet Painted Turtle care. Read on to get started in the right direction.

All Painted Turtles are aquatic which means they spend a good deal of their time in the water. Its very important that the turtles have enough water in which to swim. A large plastic tub works great as do decent sized aquariums. A shallow dish of water just is not enough.

The water must be at the correct temperature and can be heated by an aquarium type heater.

The water also must be filtered. (Turtles are messy eaters and big poopers). A good filter will be necessary to keep the water clean. Frequent water changes are also a good idea. We change out a third to a half of the water in our turtle tank twice a week.

Besides water to swim in your pets also need a place to get out of the water and dry off and to "bask" under a UV lamp.

A stack of rocks that is easy for the turtles to climb on can work for this basking area.

Another easy way to provide a dry spot for your pets is to buy one of the many "turtle ramps" that are available at pet stores or on-line. We use one that attaches to the side of the tank with big suction cups. It is easy for the turtles to climb on and it is very easy to clean.

UV lighting is absolutely necessary for good pet painted turtle care. In the wild they get this from the sun. That is why you see painted turtles sitting (basking) on logs on sunny days. They also love heat and the basking surface in you turtle tank/enclosure should have a temperature of between 90 and 95 degrees F.

Keeping turtles doesn't have to be difficult. It can be simple and fun...with a little research and some good information you'll be well on your way. My family and I keep painted turtles as pets and they have been a wonderful and fun addition to our household.

For even more information: Pet Painted Turtle Care!

There are many good resources available on-line regarding the care of pet turtles. It's important to have the right info in order to keep your turtles happy and healthy. Having the correct knowledge could save your turtle's life!

by Matt Maldanado

Baby Snapping Turtles - What You Should Know Before Getting One

Baby Snapping Turtles - What You Should Know Before Getting One

Are you thinking of getting a baby snapping turtle? You may have seen one at a local pet store. It is also common for people to pick some of these turtles up from their backyards or surrounding areas. You may think it would be nice to keep the cute babies as pets. You should know though that there is a lot to keeping a snapping turtle as a pet. You should consider keeping them only if you are capable of doing so. Here's what you should know about snapping turtle pets.
Baby Snapping Turtle Growth and Size
The most common mistake of potential pet owners is that they think snappers stay cute. They are later surprised to learn that snapping turtles can become very large. On average, these turtles can grow up to 8-16 inches. There have been some however that have reached more or less 20 inches. Their average weight is 30 lbs. but some can reach to double the average weight. These turtles grow fast. From a mere 2 inches as babies, they can grow to their full minimum average length in two years.
It is when the turtles are at their maximum growth that they become difficult to take care of. Pet owners become even more alarmed when they find out that these turtles can live for very long. From the moment they are born, snapping turtles can live for four decades more. Unprepared pet owners eventually realize that they got more than they bargained for. They may therefore abandon their pets, leave them in zoos or put them up for adoption.
Baby Snapping Turtle Habitat
The maximum growth capacity of a baby snapping turtle is not your only concern. You also need to think about where it is going to live. In the beginning, your baby turtle may be comfortable with just a ten-gallon tank. You then have to add ten gallons for every inch that your turtle grows. You may have to prepare a hundred gallon tank.
Snapping turtles also can't be house trained like dogs and cats. Although they are enclosed in an aquarium or pond, they can quickly make their environment dirty. Aside from the large volumes of waste that they excrete, they also have the tendency to churn up their habitat bottoms. They can also muddle up the decorations and items that you have set up in the aquarium. This means that you will have to constantly monitor and clean their environment.
Baby Snapping Turtle Temperament
Snapping turtles are generally mild mannered when in their natural water environment. When the occasion calls for it though, they can bite people and eat other animals. They could also hiss and take an aggressive stance. A snapping turtle pet is capable of doing the same thing. It could bite you or other animals around it, including other snapping turtles. This means you may have to take the extra effort to provide a completely separate home for your snapping turtle.
These are only some of the basic considerations when taking care of a snapping turtle. It is already obvious however, based on these points alone that it is no joke to decide to take in a baby snapping turtle. Do think your decision over a couple of times. You certainly want to provide a clean and happy home for your turtle.

Don't end up with a turtle you don't want. Learn more about the Snapper Turtle and how to care for it at: http://www.TurtleTanks.Org/snapper-turtle.html

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_Vidrow

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1121673

Cleaning an Aquatic Turtle Tanks

Cleaning an Aquatic Turtle Tanks - Aquatic turtle tank cleaning is a chore and a bore, but if you find a system that works for you then it's just a matter of going through the motions. If you have a good filtration system, then cleaning your tank will be made a lot easier by cutting down the number of times you have to fully clean it out.

Water Changes and Water Quality - Aquatic Turtle Tank Cleaning

The best way to get the water out of a tank is to buy a gravel vacuum - any good pet store should have one. You can drain the water through the hose and out of a window, or into buckets. You can put your finger over the end of the hose while you transfer between buckets. Keeping the water at an optimum level will ensure the health of your turtle.

Water quality is vitally important, not only for the amount of water changes you will have to make, but also for the health of your turtle, to prevent diseases.

It is recommended you buy a water quality test kit at your pet store and test for ammonia, nitrates and nitrites and pH levels. You can also test for chlorine and chloramine. You need to make sure you know what is in the water that you choose to use for your tank.

You can buy items from your pet store to add to the water to balance it out, or you can change the water to ensure its optimum quality.

Filtration

Turtles are messy creatures; they defecate and drop food in the tank water. A good idea is to buy a filter that is rated for double the amount of water in your tank. A power filter or canister filter are ideal. This will reduce the amount of water changes you have to make, but with this kind of filter system you will still have to do a 25% water change once a week, and a full change every three weeks to a month.

A tank should hold about 10 gallons per inch of turtle. The more water your tank has, the more the waste products will be diluted. Ideally you could feed your turtle at another location so it doesn't drag its food into the water.

Cleaning

As the tank is draining, you can start to remove the items you have in the turtle's tank. Take everything to the sink and wash it thoroughly. Clean the sides of the tank with baking soda. Do not use chemicals to clean your tank - this includes glass cleaner. Some people will tell you that diluted bleach is an option for cleaning, but it's best to steer clear of anything unnatural for the health and safety of your turtle.

Turtles live to be 70 years old, and often for longer when kept in captivity,so it's best you sort out a routine from the start, when cleaning your tank. Aquatic turtle tank cleaning will be something you will be doing for many years, so learning the tricks of the trade early on will ensure your turtle will live for many healthy years to come.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kate_Strong

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6412964

Turtle Care - Tips for Raising Healthy Baby Turtles ( turtle cages )

Tips for Raising Healthy Baby Turtles ( turtle cages ) - The turtle is very cute and appealing to people, as are many baby animals. Nevertheless, it is illegal to purchase a turtle throughout the United States of America. (See U.S. Food and Drug Administration Code of Federal Regulations Title 21, Subpart D, Sec. 1240.62--Turtles intrastate and interstate requirements) There are a few exceptions to this law however, for bona fide scientific, educational. The primary reason for this is because the hatchling turtle is deemed to be a greater risk for Salmonella compared to adult turtles. Turtle baby are most likely to be handled by children who do not necessarily practice good personal hygiene; therefore the turtles' care must be properly and strictly observed.

To begin, you must be committed to caring for your turtle for a long time, as their lifespan is close to that of humans. If you take excellent care of them, they may even outlive you!

Interested turtle keepers must first find out the species of turtle they want to keep. Not only must you provide suitable housing and the right kind of food to your pet; you must also know which species of turtle best suits your lifestyle and living conditions. There are some classes of turtle that grow extremely large, and cannot be kept as domesticated animals. Fortunately, there are a good number of turtle species that have docile personalities and grow to a manageable size as adults, making them suitable for captivity. Once you have purchased the turtle most suitable to your needs, you can move on to providing a good habitat for your pet.

Be sure to provide the turtles with a place to bask, swim, and hide, as these are the primary daily activities of your new pet. Not only do turtles enjoy these activities, they are essential to the turtles' overall good health. Turtle hatchlings can be best kept in plastic tubs or aquariums so you can monitor them more closely. Hatchling care requires constant temperature regulation. It is advisable to use a heater to maintain a controlled and sustained warm temperature within the area. If there are no heat or temperature-regulating devices available, place your pet's housing in a location where they can receive abundant natural lighting.

Feeding baby turtlr may be the most challenging part of your hatchlings' care. At first, they may not even eat at all, no matter what type of food you offer them! This is just their normal behavior at this stage, so you need not worry too much. Although turtles are omnivorous, the young ones are most likely to behave as largely carnivorous animals. Hatchlings are very picky in the food that they approve of eating. Start off by feeding them small, live insects and worms. As they mature, you may find that their range of food preference also broadens. They then can be fed fruits and vegetables, or even the processed food intended for the mature turtle's diet.

If you are keeping more than one turtle, pay extra attention to your pets, in order to be certain that each one of them maintains optimum health.

If there are children in your household, teach them that observing good personal hygiene is a vital part of their pet hatchlings' care. Turtles have proven to be one of the best animals to keep, and once you get into the rhythm of excellent, responsible care for your hatchlings, you'll be a happy and satisfied turtle owner for years!

Locate A Snapping Turtle Nest ( Turtle Cages )

Locate A Snapping Turtle Nest ( Turtle Cages ) - Snapping Turtles are powerful, enduring and beautiful creatures that have been around for millions of years. Their evolution occurred earlier than most other turtles and their rugged design has not changed since. While the common snapping turtle has a wide distribution and strong numbers, in northern regions of the United States there can be as few as 1-5 snappers per hectacre. Numbers in the southern United States can be more promising and have as many as 65 snapping turtles per hectacre. The alligator snapping turtle, on the other hand, is considered threatened and is protected by law in many states. The snapping turtle in fact, can lay clutches of 20-50 eggs, but only about 133 of every 1,300 eggs survive to leave the nest. Out of those 133 hatchlings, just 1 will survive to adulthood. Most eggs and hatchlings fall victim to predation within the first 3 years of life, if not before they even hatch. What some groups do is protect the nests and capture hatchlings as they climb out. These hatchlings can then be raised for about 3 years and released to the wild or just transported to the nearest body of water safely.

The hardest part of conserving and studying snapping turtle nests is, by far, finding a nest. Snapping turtles lay eggs on dry land, away from flood planes. Often this is about 100-500 meters away from the female's usual habitat, but sometimes it can be up to a mile away. Quite often we see these turtle nests in odd places such as front lawns, man-made mulch hiking trails, gravel on the shoulder of roads, and even loose gravel driveways. Between lawn mowers, foot traffic, and car tires, these turtles are not stacking the odds of survival in their favor. I personally have raised snapping turtlehatchlings that I have found trying to cross 3 or 4 roads to get to a water source that would seem to be a 2 day marathon for the little guy.

Locating a snapping turtle nest

Knowing when: Snapping turtles dig their nest and lay eggs in May and June. If you are stalking for a nest, you should start in early May. (We'll explain in a bit) If you are scouting for a nest, you can do this through July and August.

Scouting for a nest: This is the hardest and most unsuccessful method of finding a nest. This involves pacing the perimeter of a section of a pond or lake, starting at about 40 yards out and incrementally moving farther away from the water. Doing a thorough sweep of a section of land, be on the lookout for a circle, about 10 inches in diameter, of loose, tilled up dirt. This can be on high ground in grassy spots, leafy spots, mulch, sometimes slightly recessed. See how this can be difficult? It can be anywhere up to a mile away from water.

Stalking for a nest: This is time consuming, but can be relaxing and highly effective. Right as the snapping turtles are getting ready to begin nesting, simply sit back in your lawn chair and your binoculars and observe turtle behavior at a pond or lake. Spending your evenings observing turtles leaving the water to go on land, you can stay a good distance away and watch the turtle dig the nest. If you can, stick around and see if she begins laying the eggs because sometimes they just dig nests to test out the spot. If it is a backyard pond, ideally you can even get some cameras pointing out the back porch for some of the time you can't be there observing.

Once you know the nesting location, do not dig up the nest unless you are highly skilled at taking care of turtle eggs. The embryos attach to the top side of the egg shell and rolling them over will kill them. Not to mention having to incubate the eggs even if you do successfully transport them. The safest way to capture the hatchlings is to make a fine mesh box that you can set over the nest without disturbing it. Starting in mid August, begin checking the mesh cage once or twice a day, everyday. If a few hatchlings emerge, remove them and place the mesh box back over the nest until you are certain that all viable eggs have hatched.

by James

Pet Turtle Types- Quick Guide of the Many Types of Turtles

When considering getting a new pet your options are limitless. In one pet group alone, lets say dogs, the number of breeds with their own individual characteristics and personality traits is endless. However finding a pet thet suits you, as far as your family situation and living conditions is a whole different story.

Do you have the time and resources to walk a dog, clean a cats litter box or maybe even train a horse? Or do you live in an apartment or condo where your pet options are much more limited? If this is the case you may want to learn about pet turtle types.

Have you had pets for years, or are you looking more for a low maintenance or "starter" pet? Maybe even your child's first test drive for the responsibilties of pet ownership. Regardless of your situation a pet turtle could be a great addition to your family. A little information on the different turtle types will help you choose the right turtle.

There are four basic types of turtles: Turtles, terrapins, tortoises and sea turtles. These are all turtles, but with their own unique lifestyles and manuerisms.

First off theres the turtle. Two prime examples of turtles are the red eared slider and the painted turtle. These are considered turtles because they're amphibious, meaning they live partially on land and in water.

This is far different from the terrestrial, or land dwelling tortoise. A box turtle is a good example of a tortoise. If you thought turtles and tortoises were one in the same you need to read on. If you put a box turtle in a painted turtles amphibious habitat with a swimming area, your little tortoise could drown! Tortoises have been known to wade in shallow waters, but can get fatigued and drown if they can't easily escape deep waters.

The terrapin is actually what a pet turtle/tortoise is refered to in the UK. If you ever visit england and start bragging about your pet turtle be prepared for some funny looks. When people in the UK discuss turtles they're refering to sea turtles, which can grow to a whopping 2 meters and are certainly not considered pets. Therefore, pet turtles are dubbed terrapins.

Sea turtles inhabit every ocean in the world except for the arctic ocean. It is far too cold to support a sea turtle. As beautiful and magestic as they are, most sea turtles are not considered pets. However there are fully aquatic turtles that you can keep in their fish tanks. To avoid confusion these are simply labeled "aquatic" turtles in pet stores.

Depending on whether you have a turtle, tortoise or terrapin the animals diet will vary. Some turtles like minnows and other feeder fish while others prefer pellet foods and maybe the occasional insect snack. Most all types of turtle/tortoises enjoy leafy greens as a healthy nutrient rich staple of their diet.

All turtle diets are not created equal, but with a little know how, pinpointing the best food for your turtle can be a painless experience. You could talk to the people at pet stores for ideas or check the internet. There's a whole lot to be learned. If you don't find what your looking for, there are several different books to teach you the ins and outs of caring for pet turtles.

Whether you're interested in a turtle, tortoise, terrapin or sea turtle you can be a satisfied turtle owner in a very short time. There is a bit to learn due to the fact that people underestimate turtles as a no brainer pet. It definitely can be easy with just a little know how and routine maintenance you would give any other pet. These types of turtles all have their own unique needs and care, so adjust accordingly.

Pet turtles have a high fatality rate due to ignorance of how to care for turtles. Turtles are oftenviewed as something like a pet rock. This no maintenance neglectful attitude will cause illness and unnecessary death. No matter what your choice, make sure you educate yourself on the matter. That leaves less room for error and your pet turtle will thank you for it.

Turtle Keeping - Feeding ( Turtle Cages )

Turtle Keeping - Feeding ( Turtle Cages ) - A balanced diet is perhaps the most important thing for the good health of your pet turtle. Turtle keeping is fun when you have clear guidelines, so here's a short checklist for feeding your shelly friend:

• Find out the dietary requirements for your kind of turtle. Different species of turtle have different preferences. You'll also find that individual turtles differ in taste as well. You need to find what your turtle likes!
  
• Provide a varied diet. Turtles are omnivores, so they will eat plants and meats. Typically they will eat more plants, especially as they're older. You will need to use a mix of store bought 'turtle sticks' and fresh food.
  
• Vitamin supplements. Turtles need the right vitamins to maintain healthy bones and shell. Vitamins come in different forms, so see what they have at your local pet store.
  
• Don't overfeed your turtle! This is a common mistake among turtle owners. Overfeeding makes turtles obese and makes the aquariums A LOT dirtier and harder to clean. Feed a big meal 2-3 times per week, or a small meal every day.
  
• Have a feeding schedule. Have a plan of what to feed your turtle each day of the week (or in 10-day cycles). This will help to keep you disciplined in providing a varied and balanced diet for you turtles. DO NOT get lazy and feed only commercial bought turtle sticks. These are good as a staple only.
  
• Fresh food. Turtles love leafy vegetables (but spinach is not good), berries, worms, feeder fish, shrimp, cooked chicken, and a lot more. Don't feed fatty foods like other pet foods. You'll have to find what's best for your turtle.
  
• Feeder fish are good in small amounts every once in a while. Nutritionally, they are low quality foods, but they do provide exercise and excitement for your turtle as he 'hunts' them. This is also funnest things to watch in turtle keeping!
  
• Provide a small bowl of freshwater for the turtle to drink. The swimming water will be too dirty from the turtle's excretions and activity.Get more detailed information on how much and what to feed your turtle. You will need a reference guide on all aspects of turtle keeping. Many pet turtles die from easily preventable nutrition problems because owners neglect this advice. There are many turtle guides available in print, but your best choice is a downloadable guide for turle keeping

It's not as difficult as it sounds to establish a good feeding routine for your turtles. The most important thing about turtle keeping is keeping your turtle happy and healthy! The best way to do this is to know what you're doing!

Turtle Cages - Setting Up Tips

Turtle Cages, Setting Up Tips - Fish requirements only drinking water to endure. This is why fish tanks are completely inundated with water. On the other hand, the turtles are amphibians. They want land as well as water. It's crucial to provide them with some kind of dry surface they're able to cling to, when they desire to come to land. For satisfying this prerogative, the turtle tanks are supplied with a rock which is only half submerged in drinking water. Furthermore, even the tank must be only 50 percent crammed by drinking water. The rock can be substituted with worn driftwood or cork bark floats too.
It can be crucial to supply the turtle with sufficient area to extend itself; both when it comes to length sand height. This is why possibly a twenty gallon tank is considered optimum. This once more is optimum for a extremely younger turtle but soon their limbs and physique outgrow the tank. This really is why it truly is important to purchase a tank which is far larger than the stipulated requirement. Why do not we plan it by doing this that we don't have to obtain a tank actually once more?
It's paramount to maintain the h2o level higher than the width of the turtle. In the event from the water degree being thinner, the turtle may possibly drown if it lands upside down. Once more, it really is critical to not have clustered spaces underwater. The turtle could get wedged there and hence get suffocated.
While creating a turtle tank, it's superior to steer clear of any unnecessary adornment and even sand and gravel content material. Turtles can very easily reside on h2o vegetation and there must not be considered a dearth of this sort of plants ideally. This was about foods. Subsequent necessary element is sunlight. For this cause, it can be recommended to place a spotlight over the dry rock that we had talked about. Like spotlight can mimic the sun and thus the turtle fancies basking beneath it just because it would have performed in an out of doors atmosphere.
If you setup your initial turtle tank, it is best to concentrate within the land area when you have a will to breed your turtles. A land region is paramount for your function of retaining buried eggs dry. If a female turtle does not uncover a land location, she tends to maintain the egg within the womb. Lengthy retention can trigger injuries for the female and in addition create grounds for big infections in the female turtle.

Your Turtle Source - What Should You Ask Before Buying a Turtle?

Turtles can be bought in pet shops or from breeders. If someone wanted to purchase a turtle, he could go directly to a store, visit the breeders he knows, or even find online sources. But have you ever asked yourself where your pet turtles (and the rest of the turtles in pet shops) come from? Have you ever taken the initiative to find out? Sometimes it helps owners-whether prospective, beginning, or experienced-to know where the turtles come from, to be able to take extra precautions against disease or even illegal trading.


1. Turtles From Their Original Wild Habitats

Wild turtles are caught to be sold to the pet industry. This can be quite an unlucky fate for these turtles. From the very moment they are captured and taken from their natural habitats, stress and fear can cause them terrible consequences. It is not surprising then that some of them die or are injured en route to captivity. In their natural settings, turtles do not follow a fixed time and schedule for their feedings and water consumption. When captured, they may become lazy or listless. This process of capturing and taking turtles from their original environment also affects the population of the turtles in the wild, and may even present damage to their natural habitat. It has been reported that the search for gopher tortoises had unscrupulous turtle collectors wrecking the natural habitats, like rock crevices and bogs, of the animals. These actions can greatly damage the ecosystem as a whole.Your Turtle Source: What Should You Ask Before Buying a Turtle?

2. Ranched Turtles 

When wild-caught turtles are raised to a marketable size in captivity, or their eggs or hatchlings sold, we consider them to be "ranched." At least 10% of adult ranched turtles will die from overcrowded conditions, and ranchers will have to resort to making up the balance by taking even more turtles from the wild. Baby red-eared sliders are said to be the biggest number of ranched species raised for export on farms in Louisiana. 

3. Captive-bred Turtles 

Captive-bred turtles, raised by pet owners or small retailers, are animals caged for a long time, which are then mated with other captive turtles. The eggs they lay are then sold through on-line dealers or pet stores.


4. Turtle Farming 

Turtle farming means that the turtles are born in captivity and have had 0% exposure to the natural environment. According to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service studies and reports, a very large percentage of the total turtle importation in the US is almost always of animals seized from their wild habitat.


If you know the source of your pet turtle, the novice owner should go to his veterinarian to have his turtle examined. This is especially true for turtles that initially originate in feral locales. These turtles may carry very serious diseases or illnesses that can be dangerous to you and your loved ones. Remember, turtle ownership should be an enjoyable endeavour for you and your family. It should never place you or your loved ones in danger of compromising your health. You cannot, simply by looking at a turtle, determine if it has an illness or is carrying a disease. Only your veterinarian can tell. This is why it is so important to purchase a turtle from a reputable breeder or store, and to have an independent examination by your veterinarian.

Turtle Information - How to Handle Your Pet Turtle

With all the great turtle information available today, the proper care and handling of your new pet should be simple to master. Although the turtle may seem like a shy and docile creature that hides inside its shell, it can, if provoked, use its beak and claws to defend itself. You should always keep two issues in mind when holding your pet: the safety of the person who is handling the animal, and the safety and well-being of the animal that is being handled.
First of all, if you have children under the age of five in your household, it is never advisable to keep turtles as pets. This also applies if there are pregnant women in the home, or people who have compromised or weak immune systems.

Turtles are known as notorious carriers of the Salmonella bacteria. Salmonella causes an illness called Salmonellosis, which infects the human intestinal tract, causing abdominal cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, and at times, fever.
If you are a pet owner with a close relationship to your pet, the desire to hold, cuddle, or carry your pet around is certainly normal. It is very important to bear in mind that although turtles may appear to be calm animals, they do not appreciate being handled too much. If they become agitated or fearful, they will try to defend themselves by using their teeth and claws to bite and scratch. In fact, the majority of turtle information available states that they always prefer to be left alone rather than being carried around.
Even if you have already earned the trust of your pet, there are still precautions you must take to make sure that you avoid harboring unwanted bacteria, and that your pet is free from being stressed out.
When picking up your turtle, grasp it securely by placing your hands around both sides of its shell. Make sure that your fingers and hands are kept away from its head. It is important to keep the turtle's head aimed away from you, so that the turtle cannot bite or latch on to your body.
Be very cautious whenever you handle your turtle. Never place your face, hands, or fingers near or in front of the turtle's face or head, because it may reach around and bite, as some turtles have long necks. Always be quiet and calm whenever you are holding or approaching your turtle. Turtles have rather sharp claws that can scratch and hurt you if they are startled, stressed out, fearful, or uncomfortable.
Some other useful turtle information:


* You should always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and hot water after you have handled the animal, its cage, or feeding dishes

* Never clean turtle tanks, dishes, or the turtle itself in the kitchen sink

* Never allow your turtle to roam unmonitored around the house, because it may leave traces of Salmonella on the carpets, floor, and other surfaces with which it comes in contact
This beneficial turtle information should help you establish a close relationship with your pet, without compromising either its welfare or your health and safety as its owner.

Tips for Choosing Turtles

Many view turtles as being the type of animals that you find in a zoo or in a lake and not in a home. Though some people don't think they make a great pet, others really enjoy them.

You have to know what you want to get out of a pet and sometimes a turtle can be the answer to what you are looking for. Maybe they aren't as fluffy as cats but they also have strengths that other animals just don't.

Many people who opt for a turtle are pleasantly surprised with their pick. While they are different than other house pets, they can be a ball of fun also.

Turtles come in many different varieties. When some buyers come in and expect to find just one turtle family they can be taken by surprise when they see the selection.

One option is the slider turtle which remains a top choice for a turtle as a pet. They do well in cages or aquariums and they often grow to be about a foot in length.

Another choice is the box turtle which can hang around for a century or more. This is really one for those ready to commit because chances are that they will live longer than their owners.

Painted turtles generally don't make the best pets for a number of different reasons. They are easily recognized by what appears to be a stripe painted on them.

Turtles can make really great pets in your home but something that is important to remember is that they can be around for a very long time so be prepared for that. Even though it is relatively easy to handle them, they can live many, many years.

Be ready for a long time that the turtle will hang around if you are considering one. Then choose the right one for your needs and have fun.