| The care of pet turtles can be simple and fun but | | | | diet. Most pet turtles' diets can include fresh |
| requires some forethought and planning, much like | | | | vegetables, romaine lettuce being one of the most |
| any other pet. | | | | popular choices. (Avoid iceberg lettuce, it has limited |
| There are different kinds of turtles you can look into | | | | food value and can cause digestive issues in some |
| owning, including aquatic turtles (for example, sliders | | | | turtles.) |
| and painted turtles) and terrestrial turtles (box turtles, | | | | Other foods that are good for certain turtles are |
| tortoises, etc.). To ensure the proper care of pet | | | | earthworms, cut pieces of fresh fish, cantaloupe and |
| turtles, you need to pick a turtle that is most suited | | | | dandelion greens. |
| to your own household and your ability to provide it | | | | Proper enclosures are dependent on what kind of |
| a good life. | | | | turtles you intend to keep. Aquatic turtles need |
| Main concerns of a turtle keeper: | | | | water that is deep enough to swim in as well as a |
| 1. Enclosure/housing | | | | dry area for basking under a UV light. terrestrial |
| 2. Diet/food | | | | turtles do not need water to swim in but some clean |
| 3. Lighting | | | | water to drink is vital for the proper care of pet |
| Lighting? Yes, lighting. Turtles require UV-B lighting for | | | | turtles. |
| proper shell development. That is why you see them | | | | While turtles are easier to care for than certain kinds |
| sitting on logs in the wild basking in the sun. This | | | | of pets, they do still need love and attention as well |
| lighting can be provided by UV bulbs designed | | | | as the proper environment and diet to be able to |
| especially for reptile use. Mercury vapor bulbs are | | | | have a healthy life. Depending on the type of turtle |
| now available that will provide both the UV-B lighting | | | | you choose you will need to do a bit of research in |
| and the heat required. Eliminating the need for a | | | | order to know what kind of environment that they |
| separate heat lamp. | | | | need to live in and what they require for food. |
| Another important part of the care of pet turtles is | | | | |