| No pets allowed! This is what most read when signing | | | | themselves and hibernate when the temperature |
| the dotted line on a renter's agreement. But having a | | | | becomes too frigid to effectively regulate their body |
| pet for your child is an important step in their | | | | temperature. Most times they can be seen sunning |
| development. It teaches responsibilities and gives | | | | themselves, during the summer, on old logs. |
| them a companion to express love to. While most | | | | Sometimes, there can be numerous turtles just |
| places, when it says "no pets allowed," mean cats, | | | | hanging out on an old log enjoying themselves on a |
| dogs, and birds; it is still possible to enrich your child's | | | | lazy sunny afternoon. Knowing these facts help us to |
| life (or even your own) with a pet. However instead | | | | set up the perfect environment to keep your pet. |
| of a hamster, why not invest in a Painted turtle. | | | | It is recommended that young turtles and juveniles |
| The Painted turtle, known as Chrysemys picta by the | | | | be kept in a 20-40 gallon tank. Adults need more |
| scientific community, is a reptile of beauty.There are | | | | room and thus require, at minimum, 80 gallon |
| four types (or sub-species) of painted turtle: | | | | aquarium. These tanks are filled with water that is |
| Western, Midland, Eastern, and Southern. The | | | | about 6-8 inches deep. You may need to increase |
| Southern painted turtle is the only sub-species with a | | | | the amount of water in the tank depending on the |
| stripe down its back; the Western painted turtle is | | | | turtles size. The object is for the turtle to have |
| the state reptile of Colorado. These sub-species can | | | | enough room to swim around in. Knowing that they |
| interbreed, creating mixes that share the respective | | | | enjoy sunbathing tells us we need a place for them |
| traits of each type. The painted turtle has red and | | | | to do so and a heat lamp to simulate the sun. An old |
| yellow stripes on its head, tail and feet and thats | | | | log or a big rock will make the perfect place for |
| why it received its name. Outside of an owners | | | | them to hang out and get a tan. The age of your |
| home Painted turtles are found in ponds, shallow | | | | turtle will determine what you feed them. Younger |
| waters, and marshes all over the United States. This | | | | turtles will love a diet of bugs; especially, a diet |
| turtle can grow from 4 to 10 inches. | | | | consisting of crickets that you can buy at the pet |
| Painted turtles are omnivores - which mean they eat | | | | store. The older turtles will eat vegetables along with |
| both plant and meat. However, while they are young | | | | the bugs. If ever your turtle should refuse to eat it is |
| and juvenile, they will mostly eat meat. As they get | | | | recommended that you try something different. Try |
| older their appetites are more diverse eating: snails, | | | | using a smaller portion and work it in with food they |
| slugs, small crayfish, fish eggs, small fish, Algae, Lilly | | | | do enjoy. While the painted turtle isn't as cuddly as |
| pads, etc.; basically anything you find in the pond | | | | the dog or cat, it will be a pet that you or your child |
| small enough to fit in its mouth. Because reptiles are | | | | will enjoy handling. Not to mention they are a blast to |
| cold-blooded they must regulate their body | | | | watch. To see them swim around and just do what |
| temperature by "sunning" themselves. This is the act | | | | turtles do naturally is a fun experience that not only |
| of lying out in the sun to warm their temperature. | | | | can be fun but bring some well deserved Joy to your |
| Because Painted turtles are reptiles and found over a | | | | life. |
| variety of areas in the United States, they both sun | | | | |