| Turtles have become very popular. Many people | | | | Turtles have natural sensitivity to changes in light. |
| enjoy buying or adopting them as home pets to | | | | Altering light to darkness and vice versa should be |
| enjoy. Turtles are quiet creatures, inexpensive | | | | regular. For some species, 14 hours of natural and/or |
| compared with dogs and cats and do not require | | | | artificial light is considered adequate. At night, lowering |
| much space. Simple as it seems, however, turtle | | | | enough levels of temperature is good to replicate |
| needs are much more complex. | | | | their natural surroundings. |
| Temperature | | | | Hibernation |
| Turtles are reptiles and are cold blooded. This means | | | | Like any other reptile, turtles can hibernate. Each |
| that their body temperatures cannot significantly | | | | individual species require specific conditions to |
| adjust to reflect changes in their environment's | | | | hibernate which should be studied upon and followed. |
| temperature. This is opposite the mammals and birds | | | | When hibernating your turtles, choose only those |
| which can raise or lower their temperature by | | | | that are healthy and well fed. Do not allow skinny and |
| adjusting their metabolism. As a result, reptiles are | | | | or sick turtles to hibernate. For most turtle species, |
| susceptible to drastic changes in weather | | | | temperature to hibernate is between 35 to 50 |
| temperature and may even be likely to determine | | | | ºF, while 40 ºF is considered optimal. If |
| their overall health and ultimate survival. | | | | temperature is too warm (around 60 ºF) your |
| Some turtles prefer to burrow themselves | | | | turtle will not hibernate and at this same temperature |
| underground or hide under rocks to preserve body | | | | it may be cold to eat. Turtles may use much of their |
| heat during low temperatures. Others species would | | | | energy and may starve to death. |
| go near heat lamps or stay long under the sun when | | | | Most small species can be allowed to hibernate for 8 |
| temperature is high. | | | | to 10 weeks, while larger ones can go as much as 12 |
| Humidity | | | | to 14 weeks. |
| Humidity is as crucially important as temperature. This | | | | Aquatic species of turtles can also hibernate in |
| is often disregarded by many turtle owners that | | | | outdoor ponds. Just ensure that the pond is deep |
| when left unchecked can potentially lead to turtle | | | | enough so that very cold temperature will hardly |
| illness or even death. Proper levels of humidity vary | | | | reach the bottom. Make sure also that there is |
| to different types of turtles. Pet owners can choose | | | | enough mud for the turtles to burrow into. |
| from a variety of artificial humidifiers to control | | | | Once these environmental requirements are provided |
| humidity levels inside living quarters. | | | | coupled with proper nutrition, turtles will surely |
| Materials like gravels, sands, and rocks added with | | | | maintain healthy and happy lives. Likewise, proper |
| good air circulation are good for turtles requiring low | | | | understanding of the species' specific requirements |
| humidity. Similarly for some turtles that require high | | | | will assist in designing the perfect environment |
| humidity levels, putting moss, bark, or peat that can | | | | possible. Remember to choose quality lighting, heating |
| hold long moisture can keep humidity high. | | | | and humidity controlling devices when designing the |
| Diurnal cycles | | | | living quarters. |