| If you have decided to bring home a pet turtle or | | | | turtle or terrapin adapt to the change between wet |
| terrapin, you should know what is necessary to | | | | and dry more easily. You should also make sure you |
| house them comfortably. Depending on the kind of | | | | place a constant supply of fresh water in a shallow |
| pet turtle or terrapin that you choose, each has its | | | | container in the dry environment for them. |
| own needs and requirements for living a healthy and | | | | Their feedings should be done in water as they |
| happy life in your home. Generally there are a few | | | | cannot swallow otherwise and you will need to keep |
| needs that most turtles have in common as far as | | | | both environments clean on a regular basis. |
| their habitat is concerned. | | | | Some pet owners make the mistake of thinking that |
| The first thing to keep in mind is being able to | | | | their pet turtles and pet terrapins do not require a lot |
| provide them with a comfortable environment that | | | | of care and cleaning, but in point of fact turtles |
| consists of a wet habitat and a dry habitat. This can | | | | would keep themselves very clean in their natural |
| be done by constructing a turtle tank with both a | | | | environment. So you need to make sure there are |
| wet area and a dry area in it. There are certain things | | | | kept safe from any possibility of bacteria or soft-shell |
| that you should provide no matter what type or | | | | disease. |
| gender of turtle or terrapin you have. | | | | The water should not be too deep and the basking |
| The wet aquarium should consist of water that is at | | | | ground should be made of small pebbles and flat |
| the right temperature for them. It need to constant | | | | stones so that it is more comfortable for the turtle. |
| filtration and regular cleaning. It should also include the | | | | The basking ground should either be in a very sunny |
| right levels of other materials such as rocks, plants | | | | spot, with natural, unfiltered sunlight or be lit by an |
| and comfortable places for your turtle to bask on. | | | | ultraviolet (or UV) lamp. Reptile UV lamps are available |
| Your aquarium should maintain a constant | | | | at most pet stores and you should certainly invest in |
| temperature between environments to help your pet | | | | one for the health and well-being of your pet turtle. |