| If you plan to acquire a turtle as a pet you are sure | | | | rocks or wood to climb on so they can come out of |
| to be pleased with this new addition to your | | | | the water and rest. |
| household. Just remember turtles are the kind of | | | | An outdoor pen is an excellent home for turtles if |
| pets you spend most of your time watching and not | | | | you remember to follow a few simple rules. The pen |
| handling. These animals do need some special | | | | must have wire in the bottom as well as along the |
| attention and you should learn the basics about pet | | | | sides so that the turtle can not burrow his way free |
| turtle care before you bring one home. Here are 3 | | | | and become exposed to predators and other |
| tips that will help you establish the perfect | | | | dangers. You will have to clean this outdoor home on |
| environment for a turtle. | | | | a regular basis to keep your turtle safe and healthy. |
| 1. Choose the Setting | | | | The wire you use must be strong enough to provide |
| You should make certain that you prepare the right | | | | protection for your turtle and the holes should be |
| type of home for your new turtle. This depends a lot | | | | spaced closely together. |
| on the species that you select as well as their size | | | | 2. Basic Necessities |
| and their habits. | | | | Turtles need fresh water daily. They should have |
| Turtles are fairly adaptable but they still are happiest | | | | water for both drinking and swimming. Flat bottomed |
| in a setting that suits them. You can set up a glass | | | | containers that are weighted are good to use for a |
| terrarium by using any aquarium. Some turtle owners | | | | turtle. This will help prevent any accidental spills as the |
| will even use a box or a goldfish bowl to house their | | | | turtle climbs and crawls about in his home. Water |
| new pet. One of the best homes for turtles is | | | | should be changed every day and any container that |
| created outdoors with a wire pen. | | | | you are using needs to be thoroughly cleaned. For |
| If you choose an aquarium/terrarium for your turtle's | | | | proper pet turtle care you must have separate |
| new home it will give him room to move around and | | | | feeding and watering containers. Turtles can be given |
| protect him from any predators. You can also watch | | | | earthworms, lettuce, chopped carrots and commercial |
| your pet and observe his unique habits. This is a good | | | | food preparations, but you need to make sure that |
| home for all types of turtles. | | | | they get enough calcium in their diet. |
| A heavy box is an inexpensive choice and when the | | | | 3. Extras |
| box becomes soiled you can always discard it and | | | | Turtles like to hide and a piece of hollow wood that |
| get a new one. However, it will not provide a great | | | | they can climb into gives them a nice, private cave |
| deal of protection if you have a dog or cat that | | | | that they can call home. These hollow logs can be |
| wants to pay a call on the turtle. A goldfish bowl is | | | | purchased at most pet stores. Clean straw is another |
| also inexpensive, and easy to clean. However, a | | | | nice touch that makes the turtle's environment more |
| goldfish bowl is not a good choice for most turtles | | | | welcoming. Check at the pet store and see what |
| because there is not enough room for them to move | | | | they have in stock. If you want to make sure that |
| around. Some people have even tried to put turtles in | | | | you are giving your turtle good care you should also |
| a fishbowl that is filled with water. Listen closely, | | | | include proper lighting and temperature. These cold |
| turtles are not fish and they cannot swim 24 hours a | | | | blooded animals will benefit from having consistency |
| day. You will drown your turtle if they do not have | | | | in their environment. |