| It is very important to make sure that you are not | | | | distress. Generally, turtles will eat 3 or 4 times per |
| bringing home a sick turtle. Depending on what is | | | | week. |
| wrong with the poor creature, an illness can be | | | | 4. Clean Nasal Passages |
| spread to you, your friends, family, and other pets in | | | | Another sign of a healthy turtle is one that does not |
| the home. There are four main signs of a healthy | | | | have a lot of fluid build up in the nose. If the turtle |
| turtle that you will want to look for. | | | | looks like it has a cold, it could very well have a cold |
| 1. Bright Eyes | | | | or some other kind of infection. Colds are one thing |
| The eyes of the turtle should be bright, alert and | | | | but what appears to be a common cold could very |
| clear of any gunk that could be affecting the turtle's | | | | well be something much worse for the turtle. |
| vision. If you come across a turtle that does not | | | | There are other signs of poor health that you will |
| have bright eyes, it is best to leave it be and to | | | | want to watch for such as the appearance of |
| make sure that you wash your hands right away if | | | | disorientation. When you stop and closely examine |
| you touched it. | | | | the turtles, you will find that many of the ones being |
| 2. "Clean" Firm Shells | | | | sold are more than likely sick turtles. It is up to you |
| The shell of a turtle should be hard and firm. There | | | | to be an educated consumer and purchase a turtle |
| are exceptions for soft-shelled turtles, which of | | | | that you know is in good health. |
| course have soft shells. However, if the turtle is | | | | As you can see, proper pet turtle care should begin |
| supposed to have a hard shell and does not, then the | | | | before you get your turtle home. |
| turtle is not in good physical shape. If there are | | | | By taking the time to learn more about turtles, and |
| bumps on the shell that should not be there, this is | | | | particularly how to properly care for them, it will feel |
| another sign of an unhealthy turtle. Another sign of a | | | | good when you bring your pet turtle home knowing |
| health problem is fungus growing on the turtle's shell. | | | | that you can give it a comfortable and healthy life. |
| The turtle's shell should be "clean" of any such | | | | Because your turtle is in good health, you do not |
| growths. | | | | have to worry so much about the health of others |
| 3. Healthy Appetite | | | | or vet visits for the turtle. Make sure that you are |
| Of course, the turtle does not have to appear to be | | | | giving good pet turtle care by keeping the cage or |
| starving but a healthy turtle is one that should have a | | | | aquarium clean and make sure that your turtle is |
| healthy appetite. If the turtle goes for several days | | | | getting proper nutrients and your turtle should remain |
| on end without eating, this is a sign of a turtle in | | | | healthy for many years to come. |