Turtle Care

Turtle Care

Fresh Water turtles are small, yet amazing creatures to have and care for in your home.   River Cooters, Red Eared Sliders, and Painted turtles are all common pets found in America.   Though turtles are fun to have around, they do require special care just like any other pet would.   In most cases they make great pets.   They need nice set ups to live in as well as attention and proper handling.

A turtle’s habitat is vital for their health.   Depending on the size and type of turtle, you need to make sure you have an adequate home for it.   If you decide to keep the turtle inside you need a large aquarium, no smaller than 20 gallons.   If you have a baby turtle, this will allow a little more room for growth so it will last you a bit longer than a smaller aquarium would.   Filters are needed for this aquarium so you do not have to clean it out every day.   A clean aquarium is very important for the turtle’s health.   Turtles usually aren’t smelly, it’s only their droppings that smell. Depending on the size of your turtle and aquarium, you should clean your   turtle’s tank about once a week. Water turtles like to bask out of the water in the sun or under an Ultraviolet (UV) light, which provides the same effect as the sun would, so for this you need a place they can climb out and bask. This is also so they can rest from swimming in the water.   These basking rocks, or even floating cork for younger turtles, are very important, they have to have a place to bask and get out of the water.   Yet if you decide to keep it outside be sure to provide a place to bask, plenty of water, filters, and a covering so other predators cannot harm or eat your turtle.   Equipment will be different for indoors or outdoors.   If you keep your turtle indoors make sure that it can occasionally get fresh air and sun light, but do not keep an aquarium next to a window.