Do you have a pet turtle at home or plan to bring one home? We’ve put together some tactful turtle tips to make sure you can provide for all their unique needs.
Lighting and Heat
Turtles belong to the reptile family. Just like snakes and lizards, your turtle needs an additional heat source to regulate its body temperature. If you’re keeping a turtle indoors, ensure you set up lighting to make up for the lack of sunlight – especially those invisible UVB rays that all turtles need.
Depending on the type of turtle, use heat lights, UVB emitting bulbs, water heaters, or heat emitters.
Water Turtles
Aquatic turtles spend most or all of their time in the water. Ideally, the tank should be large enough to prevent turtle waste from becoming highly concentrated. What do we mean by “large enough?” Ten gallons of water per inch of a turtle is a general rule. If you have a full-grown turtle, the tank must be able to hold a hundred gallons of water. A big tank makes it easier it is to maintain water quality.
In addition, make sure the tank has proper filtration. Improper filtration can result in algae overgrowth. Remember that turtles tend to be messy creatures! So, the right filter makes all the difference. It gets rid of the gunk while keeping all the beneficial bacteria intact. Check with pet stores that can help you choose the best one.
Box Turtles
Another name for land turtles, box turtles are smaller compared to others. Box turtles can thrive outdoors, provided they stay in a secure enclosure. The fencing must be sturdy and secure enough to keep predators out. Fences that are sunk-in are ideal.
The enclosure should also allow your turtle to get out of direct sunlight whenever they need to. Ensure the enclosure has a cover, nooks they can hide in, and a watering hole.