Caring for pet water turtles

Taking care of a turtle is not that hard.  Never get the idea you can get a turtle and put it in a bowl and all you have to do is feed it.  The pet stores still sell these small bowls and they tell everyone that is all they need for their water turtle.  Turtles need more than a container to live in.  They need heat, light and clean water.

An aquarium works very well.  The turtle will need a spot where he can get out of the water and get dry.  Turtles need a balanced diet.  Different species need different diets.  Your turtle will need special lighting.  This is needed to keep them healthy.  Turtles do not like to be handled so if you want a pet you can handle do not get a turtle.

You should get at least a 20 gallon aquarium for your turtle.  If you can get a larger aquarium it would be better.  The aquarium should have water that is as deep as the turtle is wide.  Your turtle will need a place where he can get out of the water and bask in the light.  Your turtle will need a calcium block in the water to help keep his shell from getting soft.  The temperature of the water should be kept between 72 and 80 degrees.  You must install an aquarium heater in the tank to maintain this temperature.  Put a light over the basking area.  You must also have an ultraviolet UVB light.  The UVB light should be replaced ever 12 months.  The UVB light should be on for 12 hours and off for 12 hours. 

Water turtles must be fed in the water.  They need to be in the water in order to swallow their food.  Young turtles are carnivores.  They love to eat tuna, chicken and turkey.  Any meat you feed must be cooked.  Hamburger has a high fat content and should never be fed to turtles.  They can occasionally be fed brine shrimp, ocean fish and squid.  You can also feed them small salamanders, snails and crayfish. Remove the claws from the crayfish so the turtle is not injured. They also love feeder fish.  A turtle will keep himself busy all day trying to catch feeder fish.  Crickets are also good.

When turtles get older they need more vegetables and fruits.  Fruits and vegetables that are good for them are bananas, strawberries, blueberries, peas, mulberry leaves, endive and romaine.  Never feed your turtle head lettuce or spinach.  Dandelion leaves are good for your turtle.  Your turtle can eat water lettuce and water hyacinth.  You can plant these in their aquarium and your turtle can nibble on them when ever he wants.

When turtles are young they must be fed twice a day.  When they get older they need to be fed once a day.  Turtles are very messy eaters.  You must keep the water in the aquarium clean to keep them happy and healthy.

You can also buy a commercial turtle food at the pet store to feed your turtle along with the other food.  This will give him a healthy balanced diet.

Article sources:

http://www.austinsturtlepage.com

http://www.allturtles.com/turtle-care-sheets