Contrary to popular belief, caring for a turtle isn’t as some might think. As a pet, turtles require careful consideration.
These shell-encased reptiles need frequent cleaning, special treatment, and care. Moreover, they generally don’t enjoy being handled.
So before you decide to adopt one, it’s a good idea to think about the space, resources, and other things you might need to care for them the right way.
A turtle may not necessarily require the same attention that active animals like cats or dogs do, but you still need to understand how to care for it.
So follow these tips to give your turtle a long and happy life.
Set up the tank
The indoor habitat of a turtle must be forty gallons at least to enable its growth.
It’s also recommended to add a reptile heat lamp for the purpose of basking.
In addition, it’s ideal for including wet and dry areas.
Work with a professional veterinarian with a plan for your turtle to ensure that you’re able to provide the perfect living environment for your pet.
It’ll also give you an opportunity to ask, what can I use to clean my turtle tank?
Temperature control
Turtles are generally considered ectothermic or cold-blooded animals.
Therefore, they require constant temperature control to function properly.
They often prefer to stay in temperatures between sixty and ninety degrees Fahrenheit.
Some may do well even if the temperature goes down to fifty degrees.
However, if it gets lower, the turtle may get sick or start hibernating. As such, it’s crucial to ensure that they remain at an ideal temperature.
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Understand hibernation duration
Since the hibernation time of turtles can vary in duration, you need to understand how long yours is expected to remain inactive so that you can give it the perfect environment for it.
Some allow their turtles to start hibernating in the yard or their refrigerators.
However, if you’re unsure where to put them, don’t hesitate to ask a veterinarian.
Provide sufficient food
The food that turtles generally eat can vary more than they’re given credit for, often including flaked and fresh food, vitamins, and live bugs to ensure they thrive and get all the nutrition they require.
Because of how varied their diets can be and the factors to consider for choosing food, it’s always better to work with experienced owners or veterinarians to determine the best thing to feed your turtle.
Avoid frequently playing with it
Not many realize that turtles can easily get stressed when they’re handled.
As enjoyable as they are to watch, they don’t make for the best playmates.
Thus, it’s best to limit handling them as much as possible and keep physical interactions at a minimum.
Conclusion
There are many reasons why turtles are appealing pets, with one of the most popular being the fact that they’re easier to care for compared to other animals.
However, while it isn’t untrue, there are still things you need to carefully consider to ensure that you take care of them properly.
And the tips listed above should help give your turtle the life it needs to survive and live happily.
