| If you are interested in keeping a pet turtle in your | | | | Semi-aquatic turtles make excellent pets to have in |
| home, there are a lot of different types to choose | | | | your home. You need to make sure, however, that |
| from, including those who can live in dry habitats and | | | | you provide a suitable environment for them which |
| those that require wet habitats. Whichever kind of | | | | includes both an area to swim around in and a |
| pet turtle you choose, you should know what caring | | | | basking ground with plenty of sunshine (or a UV |
| for it involves and what it takes to look after turtles | | | | lamp). The temperature of the environment needs to |
| at home. | | | | be carefully regulated. The water should be kept |
| One of the first and most important things that you | | | | cooler than the rest of the habitat. |
| should consider when looking for a pet turtle is | | | | You should also keep in mind that aquatic turtles, like |
| whether you want an aquatic turtle or a turtle that | | | | most other types of turtles kept as pets, do have a |
| lives in a dry habitat. If you choose an aquatic turtle, | | | | long life expectancy; some breeds live for many |
| also known as a water turtle, you need to be sure | | | | decades while some can even go up to a hundred |
| that you have the right kind of equipment in your | | | | years! |
| home to properly provide for its care. | | | | They are prone to various diseases so make sure to |
| Aquatic turtles generally have shells that are softer | | | | carefully note any changes in their behavior. Give |
| and lighter in color than those of land based turtles. | | | | special attention to the condition of their shell, as this |
| This helps them to stay in the water without sinking | | | | is usually an indicator if something is wrong with your |
| and to swim faster and with more agility than larger | | | | turtle. They need plenty of fresh vegetables to eat |
| turtles or land based turtles. They have different | | | | and a shallow bowl of fresh drinking water available |
| colorings and markings on their shells, showing the | | | | to them at all times. Aquatic turtles can indeed make |
| kind of turtle they are and where they come from. | | | | wonderful pets. |