Hatchling Care - Tips for Raising Healthy Baby Turtles

The turtle hatchling is very cute and appealing to people, as are many baby animals. Nevertheless, it is illegal to purchase a hatchling 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, or exhibitional purposes. The primary reason for this is because the hatchling turtle is deemed to be a greater risk for Salmonella compared to adult turtles. Turtle hatchlings 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 turtles 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!

Karma Williams is a pet turtle care enthusiast. Discover more about turtles by visiting the hatchling turtle care page of her website. Get your free 10 part Pet Turtle Care mini-course, valued at $49, by visiting her PetTurtleCenter website and requesting it. Check out her eBook entitled "The Ultimate Guide to Pet Turtle Care."

*Video* Pet Turtle Care : What Is the Behavior of a Turtle?

Types Of Pet Turtles For Novices

Taking on a pet requires a certain level of commitment. For the most part, you will be responsible for the safety and well-being of another creature. Taking care of a turtle is no easy task. Choosing from among the types of pet turtles will entail careful thought. You will want to select a pet whose lifestyle can easily fit in with your own way of living. Here are three common types of pet turtles that you can consider rearing.

Box turtles

The box turtle is one of the more popular types of pet turtles that are found practically all over the world. Wherever there are damp, mossy areas, one is sure to find a box turtle inhabiting the land. These types of pet turtles are pretty territorial and are required to stay near their place of birth for their entire lifetime. As a matter of fact, if you try to remove a box turtle to another area half a mile from where it was born, it acquires the tendency to systematically search for its former habitat. It may not be able to find its way back to its old home but it will spend most of its life looking for it. This is one of those types of pet turtles that you will want to be cautious about because you need to create a living environment that is very similar to its old habitat. A box turtle is omnivorous so it can live off of insects, berries and various types of food products. They are ideal pets for people who live in the country because it is easier to recreate their natural habitat.

Slider turtles

Among the many types of pet turtles, sliders are probably the most controversial due to the salmonella scare in the 1970's. Apparently, young children have contracted the disease due to improper handling of slider turtles. However, through the years, these types of pet turtles have managed to redeem their popularity as they have always been known to make excellent pets. A slider can grow up to eleven inches long so you will probably need to replace your tank if you started with a ten-gallon aquarium for a baby turtle.

Slider turtles naturally live in swampy areas that have lots of mud such as shallow ponds and lakesides. These types of pet turtles love to bask in the sun for hours and are typically omnivorous. However they tend to minimize on their intake of meat as they grow older. You can try feeding your pet live goldfish, worm cubes and food sticks. It's also a good idea to feed it lots of lettuce and other types of vegetables.

Painted turtles

Painted turtles are probably the most beautiful types of pet turtles because of their colorful markings on their shells. The turtle usually has a dark olive to black skin color combined with red and yellow stripes on its legs and neck. It usually comes with a smooth carapace and can grow up to ten inches in length.
These types of pet turtles are generally aquatic. Compared to other species, they are a bit more complicated to take care of because they have specific habits that you need to take note of.

For great turtle care advice, turtle food recommendation or turtle health issues visit us at ..... http://www.petturtlecare.net/

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

What Do Turtles Eat?

What do turtles eat? Well, that really depends on the type of turtle you are asking about. Most turtles are carnivorous when they are young, but grow in to omnivores when they mature. Some feed mostly on plants while others, like the snapping turtle, actively hunt small creatures for their food. A turtle's diet depends on what kind of turtle it is, where it lives and what it has access to.

If you have an adult turtle as a pet, here are some of the foods you can feed it to keep it healthy:

Protein: There are many sources of protein that are safe to feed turtles: small amounts of cooked fish, turkey or chicken are okay; boiled eggs are okay; mealworms, waxworms, earthworms and silkworms are okay; slugs are fine, as are shrimp, snails and crickets. Don't give them raw meat, though because it can contain a lot of fat and could become contaminated by the time the turtle decides to eat it.

Vegetables: leafy vegetables are best: grape and fig leaves, red clover, carrot tops, dandelions, lettuce (red and green are okay), turnip greens, water lettuce, duckweed, collards, endive and plantain weed are all okay. Regular vegetables like corn, green beans, beets, carrots, okra, green peas and some squash varieties are also okay.

Flowers: some turtles love flowers! Roses, pansies, petunias, lilies, carnations, hibiscus, hyssop, borage, nasturtium and geraniums are all okay as turtle food.

Fruit: some turtles also like fruit: kiwi, apple, mango, strawberry, cantaloupe, blackberries, bananas, grapes, tomatoes, blueberries and some citrus fruits are all a fine to feed a turtle.

Of course, there are some foods that should never be given to a turtle:

Turtles cannot digest milk or dairy products because their stomachs do not carry the enzymes needed for the breaking down of lactose. Feeding dairy products to your turtle is a good way to make sure it gets very sick.

It is also a bad idea to feed any sort of canned or processed food to your turtle. These usually have large amounts of salt and preservatives and people don't yet know what these ingredients will do to the digestive system of a turtle.

What do turtles eat from their natural habitats? Some turtles have been known to eat poisonous plants that are a part of their natural habitat-they do this as a way to make themselves inedible by predators. Unfortunately, especially in the case of pet turtles, you won't know exactly what kind of plants are a part of its native habitat, so it is best to keep poisonous plants (like poison ivy, rhubarb plants and avocado plants) out of their reach and out of their tanks.

What do turtles eat? The turtle's diet depends on what kind of a turtle it is and how old it is. While they are babies, turtles are almost completely carnivorous, though they change into omnivores or even herbivores when they get older (depending on the turtle species). If you are buying a pet turtle from a store, the pet store will likely have food you can feed it.

Copyright (c) 2008 Steven Magill

For great turtle care advice, turtle food recommendation or turtle health issues visit us at ..... http://www.petturtlecare.net/

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Looking After Aquatic Turtles

If you are interested in keeping a pet turtle in your home, there are a lot of different types to choose from, including those who can live in dry habitats and those that require wet habitats. Whichever kind of pet turtle you choose, you should know what caring for it involves and what it takes to look after turtles at home.

One of the first and most important things that you should consider when looking for a pet turtle is whether you want an aquatic turtle or a turtle that lives in a dry habitat. If you choose an aquatic turtle, also known as a water turtle, you need to be sure that you have the right kind of equipment in your home to properly provide for its care.

Aquatic turtles generally have shells that are softer and lighter in color than those of land based turtles. This helps them to stay in the water without sinking and to swim faster and with more agility than larger turtles or land based turtles. They have different colorings and markings on their shells, showing the kind of turtle they are and where they come from.

Semi-aquatic turtles make excellent pets to have in your home. You need to make sure, however, that you provide a suitable environment for them which includes both an area to swim around in and a basking ground with plenty of sunshine (or a UV lamp). The temperature of the environment needs to be carefully regulated. The water should be kept cooler than the rest of the habitat.

You should also keep in mind that aquatic turtles, like most other types of turtles kept as pets, do have a long life expectancy; some breeds live for many decades while some can even go up to a hundred years!

They are prone to various diseases so make sure to carefully note any changes in their behavior. Give special attention to the condition of their shell, as this is usually an indicator if something is wrong with your turtle. They need plenty of fresh vegetables to eat and a shallow bowl of fresh drinking water available to them at all times. Aquatic turtles can indeed make wonderful pets.

Do you need more information about caring for water turtles?please visit: Aquatic Turtles

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Providing the Perfect Turtle and Terrapin Care

When it comes to caring for your pet turtle or pet terrapin there are a few basic things that you should know in order to make sure that you are providing your pet with the most quality care and to ensure that you will have your pet turtle or pet terrapin around to lead a happy and healthy life with you.

First, you should know all about the exact type and breed of the pet turtle that you have. Keeping turtles in your home requires special attention to dietary and living needs that are dependent on the breed of the turtle or terrapin.

Turtle care involves knowing whether your pet turtle or terrapin is a boy or a girl and if they prefer to live together in groups or alone. Some kinds of pet turtles prefer to live in groups of similar turtles, but usually they all should be about the same size and it is generally not a good idea to have some larger ones and some smaller ones.

One of the best ways to detect the sex of your pet turtle early on before they reach sexual maturity is by the length of the claws. Males tend to have much longer claws than females and it is typically noticeable.

Another basic care necessity of pet turtles and terrapins is diet. Most turtles prefer and need a variety of fresh foods that include dark, leafy greens. There are certain kinds of pet turtles that do prefer to eat worms, snails and other greens as well. All turtles need to have enough vitamins and minerals in order to retain health and these can be found in supplements that can be added to their diet and regular feedings once or twice a week.

You may also want to make sure that your pet turtle gets enough calcium in their diet so you can add a calcium block in your turtle's habitat for it to snack on.

You also need to provide the right kind of environment for your pet turtle, which can include providing both a dry habitat and a wet habitat if you have any kind of semi-aquatic turtle. The right temperature and lighting is also very important to the well being and health of your turtle. Keep the habitats of your pet turtles very clean and make sure that you are giving your pet turtles enough attention.

If you would like to know more about providing better care for your turtle please visit: Providing Perfect Turtle Care

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Terrapin Turtles - A Step by Step Instructional Guide

Owning terrapin turtles as pets can be a very rewarding hobby, but the average owners know next to nothing about them or how to look after them.

They are an excellent choice for a pet because they are generally low maintenance, relaxing creatures, and are ideal for families with young children, because they can be kept in a set area of your home, but be aware they do have a long life span and will require a life long commitment by the potential owner.

If the terrapin turtle is for a child you must take into consideration that they require a consistent maintenance regime and any child must be willing and able to commit to this responsibility.

They take less care than the usual pets such as cats and dogs, but they do have very specific requirements that you must be aware of before you buy to ensure your pet stays healthy and happy.

What is the difference between Terrapins and Turtles?

In the United Kingdom and some of it's territories they are known as terrapins which is given to any kind of small turtle like creature that can be kept as a pet, where a turtle is generally the larger species that lives in the sea and cannot be kept as a pet.

In all other countries they are known generally as Terrapin Turtles or Turtles.

Different Variations of Terrapin Turtles

There are four kinds of terrapin turtles: Terrapins, Turtles, Tortoises and Sea Turtles.

Because terrapin turtles can move and live on both land and water, many people are unsure whether they are reptiles or amphibians

They are actually from the reptile family and belong to a group of reptiles known as the 'Chelonia.group'

The ones that only live in water are known as aquatic and consist of sea turtles and fresh water terrapins. Sea turtles live in the world's oceans and can grow in excess of 6 feet and cannot be kept as pets.

Then you have the semi-aquatic terrapin turtles that live in both land and water.

The terrapin turtles that live only on land are called terrestrial and are known as box turtles in the US and tortoises everywhere else. It is important to remember that box turtles or tortoises cannot swim and will drown if put in deep water.

Other differences in terrapin turtles are in their shell structure, size and their limbs. Sea turtles are the largest of this species and have the hardest shells in the reptile world. Fresh water terrapins on the other hand are much smaller and have softer shells.

How Big will they get when fully grown?

Before you decide what terrapin turtle to get you must also find out how big it will get when fully grown. They can be as small as 6 inches or as large as two feet!

They need different types of habitat!

Creating the right environment for terrapin turtles really depends on a number of factors which needs to be researched well.

Find out how big the breed will get when fully grown, remember they all start out small. You really don't want the expense of buying a new habitat when they grow.

How many will you keep together? The more you have the larger the habitat will have to be.

You then need to decide if you will keep them indoors or outdoors and obtain the correct container to suite. This can vary from pond liners for outdoors to glass or plastic containers when kept indoors.

Whether kept indoors or outdoors the habitat that terrapin turtles live in has to be both wet and dry.

A very important factor that you must be aware of is that the temperature must be conducive for that species to ensure its well-being.

Want to know more about terrapin turtles? Do you want to learn how easy it is to give your turtle all the care it needs to stay happy and healthy? Visit http://www.caringforturtles.com for a complete guide to everything you need to know. Or take a look at my website at http://www.squidoo.com/terrapinturtles

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Turtle Age - Tips to Help You Determine Your Turtle's Age

Turtle age - do you know how old your pet turtle is? Did you know that the average lifespan of a turtle kept as a pet is forty years? A turtle can even live much longer than that - up to 100 years, probably longer than its original owner! The turtle's longevity also varies according to the type or class to which it belongs in the animal kingdom. It is astonishing to know that the oldest turtle on record lived to be two hundred and fifty years old!

Let's examine some interesting facts about the turtle, and see if we can figure out how old your new pet is!

Studies show that turtles first appeared on the earth over two million years ago. This remarkable fact makes them one of the oldest-known creatures on our planet. Turtles have been called living fossils, meaning there has been little change in the species since their first appearance on earth!

Turtle ownership has become more and more popular over the years. Hence, it is now normal to have a pet turtle passed from one generation of a family to the next, so that, in some instances, the pet turtle can actually and amazingly outlive its original owners!

Determining the correct age of a turtle may not be definitive. For pet owners who have just acquired their turtles, their pets' ages cannot be known for sure, especially if they were just captured from the wild.

In the past, people have theorized that counting the rings or lines on the turtle's shell is a way of determining its age. Unfortunately, this is not a reliable method. The turtle's shell may be damaged over time, making the number of rings unclear. Layers of the carapace will fall off during its lifetime, and the turtle may go through growth spurts, developing more than one ring per year. As turtles mature, the markings or lines on their shells also become less-defined, or may even deteriorate. This, in turn, would make counting the rings difficult and unreliable. Therefore, we should use this method of turtle age determination only as an estimate of years.

It is the responsibility of human beings to ensure turtles achieve long and healthy life spans in the wild by enacting and enforcing laws to protect their natural habitats. In captivity, pet turtles can suffer from illnesses and die if their requirements for proper nutrition and habitat are not provided by their owners.

Turtles have also been counted among the animals that are in danger of becoming extinct. This is brought upon by the loss of their natural habitat; whether by greedy poachers illegally removing them from the wild or by developers encroaching on their feral habitat.

The crucial fact to be considered, therefore, is not determining the turtle's exact age, but in ensuring that it will actually experience and enjoy a long life. This is where your task as a responsible pet owner comes in. With the proper nourishment and exercise, housing that comes as close to replicating the natural habitat of the turtle as possible, and protection from predators and improper handling, your pet turtle will be sure to live many years, and may even be inherited by the next generation in your family!

Karma Williams is a pet turtle care enthusiast who has raised turtles for over 23 years, and enjoys helping others get started in this amazing hobby. You can discover more about turtles by visiting the turtle age page of her website. Get your free 10 part Pet Turtle Care mini course, valued at $49, by visiting her PetTurtleCenter website and requesting it. Her newest eBook entitled "The Ultimate Guide to Pet Turtle Care" teaches turtle lovers everything they need to know about acquiring, caring for, and feeding pet turtles so that they stay healthy, contented, and will thrive for years and years to come!

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

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.

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 endeavor 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.

Karma Williams is a pet turtle care enthusiast who has raised turtles for over 23 years, and enjoys helping others get started in this amazing hobby. You can discover more about turtles by visiting the hatchling care page of her website. Get your free 10 part Pet Turtle Care mini couse, valued at $49, by visiting her Pet Turtle Center website and requesting it. Her newest eBook entitled "The Ultimate Guide to Pet Turtle Care" teaches turtle lovers everything they need to know about acquiring, caring for, and feeding pet turtles so that they stay healthy, contented, and will thrive for years and years to come!

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

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

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All About the Turtle Habitat

If you wish to keep your turtle happy and healthy, you must invest time and energy to building a perfect turtle habitat.

Items required to build a turtle habitat

o Aquarium thermometer

o Aquarium heater

o UVA and UVB wavelengths equipped full spectrum light

o Dechlorinated or aged water

o Logs or large stones

o Pond rock/sand/gravel

o Aquarium filter

o Aquarium/turtle tank

Instructions on building the perfect turtle habitat

# 1

Do your background research on your turtle's natural habitat thoroughly and try to simulate that native habitat.

# 2

Always give your turtle ample room to swim and bask. A 40-gallon water aquarium is the minimum size you should opt for and never over crowd the tank with more turtles than it can hold. The above mentioned size is good for 2 turtles.

# 3

The water should be clean, fresh, aerated and bacteria-free. This will prevent shell and skin diseases and ear abscess in your turtles which are all results of poor water hygiene.

# 4

An under gravel filter should be positioned at the bottom of the tank, covered with a one-inch layer of pond rock, sand and gravel.

# 5

Next, the turtle tank should be filled with dechlorinated water (up to half tank).

# 6

There should be a basking area for your turtle inside the tank made of logs and large stones that should rise well out of the surface of water. It should not occupy more than one-third of the total tank space.

Warnings and Tips

o Your turtle tank should have clean, fresh, healthy water. Filter the water for a day or two introducing your pet turtle to the tank.

o Before using the turtle tank, scrub and rinse the whole tank clean with a light-duty scrubber, warm water and non-iodized salt. This will keep the water spotlessly clean.

o If you put the turtle immediately into the new water inside the aquarium, he may suffer from a thermal shock. Habituate him slowly.

o The basking area that you create for your turtle should be well-guarded and secures. If there is a lid, it should be tightly fastened so that your turtle may not take it upon himself to escape from captivity.

o The filter in the tank should have adequate suction.

o Don't make the basking area slope very steep or else it would be pointless as your turtle won't be able to climb it. The floating log should be sturdy and heavy enough. That will prevent it from flipping over.

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How to Create Pet Turtle Habitats at Home

Turtles are just like any other pet animal; they will warrant a certain degree of commitment for an individual to be able to effectively take care of them. And just like other pets, it's important to set up proper pet turtle habitats before you go about acquiring your first turtles to take care of. Designing a place for your turtles to live in is not as simple as you may think it is. For the most part, you will need to create a space that is pretty much like the natural pet turtle habitats that the reptile thrives in.

Species differences Before you go about designing and setting up your pet turtle habitats, it's important to note that different species will require different environments. For instance, there are certain turtles that can live in fresh water and there are those that require some sort of muddy environment. Pet turtle habitats tend to vary and the idea is to consider specific space requirements as well as the area of your home that you have allotted for your pet.

For some enthusiasts, it's better to run a research first on your options and consider your own living space before acquiring a specific type of turtle. It's better if you get a pet that will easily adjust with the type of home that you have. For instance, if you don't have a lot of backyard space, you will logically have to set up pet turtle habitats indoors. This will mean getting turtles that will do just fine without much sunlight. Accessories While the best place to keep pet turtle habitats is still outdoors where they can get enough warmth from the sun and conveniently hibernate during the winter season, some people opt to keep their pets indoors for a lot of reasons. This is perfectly fine so long as you make sure that the pet turtle habitats come equipped with such accessories as UV lamps that can provide the same heat that the sun offers.

Since turtles normally live on both land and water, it's important that the tank of your pet turtle habitats come with a dry space where your pets can easily take a break from being in the water for too long. You will also need to install filters that should be regularly cleaned to keep your pets from developing fungus on their shells which can be difficult to treat. A slanted design for the tank is common among pet turtle habitats and you can easily buy these enclosures in specialized pet stores. Alternatively, you can also have the tank custom-made although this will probably cost more. Serious turtle lovers usually have pet turtle habitats specifically designed to suit their needs. For beginners, you can probably start with a smaller tank and work your way up as you go along. Keeping it natural You will want to keep your pet turtle habitats as natural-looking as possible so that it doesn't take much for your pet to adjust to the new home.

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Tips on Turtle Care

Turtles are very delicate creatures and once you decide to have them as pets there should be a form of commitment on your part. Since turtles are animals they are prone to disease and stress among other things. It is therefore very important that you care for your turtles. The following are tips on turtle care that will help your turtles to stay healthy and enjoy a pleasant environment.

• Turtles are not very comfortable with being touched so it would be ideal that you do not always touch them as this may stress them.
• It is always ideal that you keep your turtles outdoors or at least they should be allowed to go outdoors at one point in time.
• Do not allow you turtles to roam around freely as they may leave your home and go on the road and can be harmed.
• Always make sure that you turtle is not going to areas such as flower beds as it may end up eating plants that are poisonous there.
• Do not allow your turtle to eat plant from the garden that have been sprayed by chemical pesticides.
• If you are keeping your turtle indoors always make sure that you provide some heat source in the cold months.
• If your turtles are kept indoors always make sure the area they are staying in is free from rats as rats can bite turtles and also help spread diseases.
• Provide a good diet that constitutes different kinds of food such as insects, plants and fruits this allows the turtles to get a good supply of some of the essential nutrients they need for growth.
• Feed your turtles with some of the turtle canned foods that are available on the market. These foods are good for they have some added vitamins and some antibiotics that ensure your pets get a balanced diet and stay healthy.
• Turtles can become fat, so if you see that your turtles might be getting too fat make sure you reduce the amount of food you give them.
• Always allow your turtles to bask in the sun as this is essential in the formation of vitamin D3.
• Turtles can hibernate in winter, but if you do so wish you can take them inside during winter and provide them a source of warmth then there is no need for them to hibernate.
• When turtles are living indoors and not in the wild their toe nails and beaks tend to grow very long, so you can trim the beaks and nails of your turtles. This can be a difficult procedure so always get assistance from someone that is experienced.
• Always look at your turtles eyes, skin and shell. This will help you detect when your turtles are sick.
• If you determine that your turtle is sick make sure that you consult a veterinarian who deals with reptiles.

Once you follow some of these tips on turtle care you will find that looking after your turtles will be so much easier.

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

4 Basic Turtles Care Secrets For Your Pet Turtle

Turtles have different needs according to the type of species they belong to. Some are aquatics and some are land turtle. But they are all can have diseases when turtles care is not properly provided and given by their keepers. Remember that they are from the wild that is why sudden changes from their original habitat could really stress them out badly and would surely result serious health problems. But if you will keep them outdoors which has the same resemblance of their real habitat then they would feel less stress about it.

Like humans, turtles have needs too that must be given at the right time in a right amount. If humans have what they called the human needs then turtles also have what they called the turtles care which every keeper must provide to them. You must see to it that your turtles will have enough room in their shelter so they can move around freely. Turtles are sun worshipper that is why it is advisable for them to have enough sun or heat exposure, clean and fresh water and a basking lamp to keep them warm.

Now that you've learn some basic needs of your pet turtle, you should also consider that not all turtles have the same turtles care. Some turtles need water to swim in and some should be kept away from the water unless if they will use this water for drinking.

Turtles are wonderful pet thus they tend to be unhealthy because of improper turtles care. Make sure that you provide them the right turtles care so they will live long and will spend a long, healthy life with you and your family.

Here is the basic turtles care for every keeper:

1. Tap water may contain chlorine so do not use this to your turtles be with it for their water to drink or water to swim at.

2. When turtles are in their hibernating period, remind you kids not to disturb the cold blooded animals because they might be harmful and could bite your kids.

3. Avoid frequent picking up and touching your turtles and removing them out from the water. This kind of action will cause some serious health problems because turtles are cold blooded animals thus making it very hard for them to adjust to their new surroundings.

4. Make sure to wash your hands before and after you play with your turtle to avoid any infection which you might acquire from your turtle such as the salmonella bacteria.

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Turtle Care Advice for Colds

Let's talk a little about colds. Any living animal can catch a cold. The same thing can happen to your beloved turtle pet. If this happens to your turtle than there are many turtle care methods to treat your turtle.

So a turtle can catch a cold just like humans or other animals. Let's check the symptoms of a cold un humans. sneezing is one of them. A turtle can also sneeze. But if a turtle sneezes this doesn't means that she has a cold. Dust in the nose can make a turtle sneeze too. Also the turtle can have some kind on runny nose. This is usually caused by allergies or by cold. Because turtle care is very important when your pet get's a cold, you must be sure that the turtle really has a cold. So i advise you to take the animal to a good veterinarian.

Symptoms could be caused by just by a little cold. But you should take good care of your turtle because could also be signs of a serious respiratory infection. If this happens then medication is needed for the treatment.

What you should know is that a turtle doesn't get a cold from being cold. If the turtle is kept to cold then her immune system weakens. So when the immune system weakens there are more cohesive for the turtle to catch a cold.

In the most common cases Colds and respiratory infections or penumonia come from bacteria or viruses causes. If the cold is from a bacterium then all turtle care advise guides and veterinarians will recommend antibiotics treatments. In this case the chances that the pet will recover are high. But if the cold comes from a virus then things are more complicated because usually viruses can't be determined. In this unfortunate case all you can do is just sit, wait and hope.

The first turtle care advise for any cold symptoms is to keep a little higher temperature in the turtle enclosure. If the temperature will raise the immune system will recover a little. Take care that the turtle will have a very clean environment. Another turtle care advise for a cold turtle is to take it out of the water and put it in a heated box but don't forget to check the temperature with a thermometer.

If the turtle's situation doesn't improves then i advise you to see a veterinarian.

The real problem is that the colds, respiratory infections and pneumonia are one of the most common turtle care issues that a turtle will die from.

So if you have any suspicions that you pet has a cold than i advise you to search for some turtle care sheets on the net to see what's happening with your turtle. If you can't figure it out and the situation agravates the you must see a veterinarian.

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Turtle Care Guide

A lot of families with small children do want to keep turtles as pets and if the parents do not know how to take of them, they should quickly learn how.

Caring for them does not have to be a difficult chore. There are turtles guide out there, which you can follow that will ease in your care for your beloved pet. This is one of those said turtle guide.

This guide will teach you how to take care of turtles properly.

Before purchasing a pet turtle,you have to ask yourself if you are ready for the commitment that comes along with caring for this kind of animal. Turtles normally have a pretty long life, so you can expect many happy years with it. Different types of turtles mean different lengths of lifespan, so do your research ahead of time.

Turtle Diet

Turtles are omnivores. This means that they eat a variety of food from small insects to fruits and vegetables. When they are younger or in the wild, these are the types of food they could eat:

* Slugs
* Snails
* Caterpillars
* Grasshoppers
* Crickets
* Beetles
* Earthworms
* Mealworms
* Wax worms

And as they grow older, they could also eat the following fruits to replenish their turtle health when bugs are not enough:

* Apples
* Apricots
* Bananas
* Blackberries
* Blueberries
* Grapes
* Kiwi
* Mangoes
* Melons
* Papayas
* Peaches
* Pears
* Raspberries
* Strawberries

Large fruits should be cut up before they are fed to the turtle. If the fruit is soft, then you can just serve it whole and the turtles will eat it slowly.

Aside from fruits and insects, you can also feed your pet turtle some types of plants.

* Alfalfa
* Broccoli
* Cabbage
* Carrots
* Clover
* Dandelion leaves
* Kale
* Lettuce

Turtle Environment

A turtle's environment is important for turtle care.

Aquatic turtles must have turtle tanks that will allow them to have enough water to survive. They are more prone to diseases because of the water in their tank. So you have to ensure that you keep their tank clean at all times to avoid debilitating sickness.

Land turtles should have tanks that have a bigger floor area because they need the space to roam around. They like to burrow, so provide items in their tank where they can burrow under.

Both types of turtles still need water. If you want to provide the best care for you turtles, you should not use tap water in their tanks because it contains fluoride and chlorine that may harm your turtles. Your best bet is to use mineral or spring water.

Turtle Health

Gaining enough turtle info will help you take care of your pet turtles like an expert.

Your pet could live up to over 25 years with the proper care. Here are some ailments that you should look out for:

* Dehydration
* Ticks, mites and parasites
* Respiratory problems
* Skin lesions

Follow the turtle tips to care for your beloved turtle.

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