| Caring for turtles and other reptiles is not the same | | | | eat this and become ill. |
| as caring for traditional pets such as cats or dogs etc. | | | | What do I feed a Turtle? |
| Cats, dogs and other domesticated pets require a | | | | Turtles are what are known as Omnivorous which |
| great deal more commitment and cost, although | | | | means that they eat both vegetation and meat as |
| costs for turtle care can be high depending on the | | | | part of their staple diet. In order for them to grow |
| size and number of turtles you are getting. | | | | and develop a strong shell they will need a diet high in |
| Because a turtle is a reptile which can swim, (as it | | | | calcium and vitamin D3. |
| spends it's time between land and water), it has | | | | The types of food that a turtle will eat include: |
| specific needs and will require special care. | | | | - Fish |
| Unfortunately many turtles that are kept in captivity | | | | - Pre-killed mice |
| die, because they are not given the correct care and | | | | - Insects including snails, earthworms, and bugs which |
| attention that this cute little creature needs. | | | | are rich in calcium. |
| You should not be daunted about what is involved | | | | - Vegetation that is rich in calcium and vitamin D3 |
| with caring for turtles. Providing they are given the | | | | include blackberries, dandelion, carrots and turnip |
| correct love and attention such as diet, habitat and | | | | greens. |
| health, they can live for many, many years. | | | | When caring for a turtles feeding requirements you |
| Getting the right home for your Turtle! | | | | will also have to consider how much food to provide. |
| Probably the most important aspect when caring for | | | | As a general rule a turtle's stomach is only about the |
| turtles is their habitat. Any habitat created for turtles | | | | size of it's head, so any meal should consist of the |
| should closely resemble their natural environment as | | | | amount of food required to fill the reptiles stomach. |
| much as possible so make sure you do your research | | | | The frequency of feeding depends on the species, |
| carefully. | | | | but usually young turtles will need to be fed every |
| The first thing you need to do is identify the species. | | | | day with enough food only to fill their stomachs and |
| Different species of turtle require different habitats. | | | | ideally you would continue this on into adulthood, |
| Box turtles, which are the most commonly kept | | | | however it is not uncommon to feed adult turtles a |
| turtle live only on land and must never be allowed in | | | | larger meal every 2 - 3 days. |
| water as they can easily drown. While the red ear | | | | 5 more Turtle Care Tips |
| slider turtles live on both land and water and | | | | Here are some other useful tips that should be |
| conversely must have a place where they can keep | | | | followed when caring for turtles. |
| moist and be allowed to swim. | | | | Tip #1 - Ensure your turtle has enough room to live |
| Most people associate turtles as slow moving | | | | and move around in. |
| creatures that don't require a lot of living space, but | | | | Tip #2 - It will also light and shade and a basking |
| don't be fooled most turtles are very active and | | | | lamp. |
| require spacious quarters. For example a 12" long | | | | Tip #3 - If you use tap water for the swimming area |
| adult red eared slider needs at 55 gallon water tank | | | | wait at least 24 hours to remove the chlorine. Only |
| at least. | | | | use spring water for drinking. |
| The turtle enclosure should also include a dry area | | | | Tip #4 - Keep you pet turtle away from small |
| where the turtle can bask, as well as a protected | | | | children and other pets as it can easily become |
| hideaway where it can go when it feels anxious | | | | stressed. |
| which will probably happen a lot when you first bring | | | | Tip #5 - Caring for turtles involves good hygiene and |
| your pet home. If you have a burrowing turtle it will | | | | to avoid the spread of salmonella and other harmful |
| need to have brush, leaves and straw inside the | | | | bacteria make sure you wash your hands before and |
| enclosure where the turtle will happily make it's home. | | | | after handling your turtle. |
| Do not use bark or chipped wood as the turtle could | | | | |