It will also need a basking area that’s raised above the level of the water, where your pet can absorb much-needed heat. As for the tank, it should be big as turtles are great swimmers. If you have any comments on what you think is the best pet turtle, we would love to know. And they are good as pets like any other turtle. Turtles can actually feel through their shells, so you can also pet it by stroking its shell with your fingers. The environment should be large and filled with substrates. They may bury themselves in deep holes under roots or under the soil. Looking for free pet advice for your Reptile? It’s also important to remember that most turtles will live very long lives, so you must also pick one you’re sure you’ll still enjoy caring for decades from now. } Countless pet turtles die from being kept in inadequate conditions. For those that don’t have enough space in their homes, but they are turtle lovers, these animals are the perfect pets. Pet turtles can be a great companion. What is expensive is setting up the turtle environment. In order to keep a turtle as a pet, you’ll need to have a good habitat for him/her. Here, you can put them together with other big fishes. In the colder, northern areas of the country a waterproof heater may be provided to give extra warmth. In this blog I am sharing my experience that covers basic information and advance stuff for everybody who wants to be a turtle owner in the future. First of all, you need some type of enclosure made for holding water. Remember owning a turtle, like any other pet, is a long-term commitment. If you do choose to purchase a turtle or tortoise, choose the species carefully. Diet is a vast topic, and I will try to make small. Some turtles carry salmonella bacteria which is very harmful to human beings. They will need to feed on meat, fruits, and vegetables. Red-eared sliders, yellow-bellied sliders, and a couple of other commonly available pet turtle species will grow to 10–12 inches long and therefore require correspondingly large enclosures. You can calculate do you have enough space for it: the turtle can grow up to about 10 inches. Box turtles particularly, need the company of others so the housing should be big enough to cope with more than one animal. As with all reptiles, a licence issued by your State or Territory is required and it is illegal to capture a turtle from the wild and keep it as a pet. These turtles include the pond sliders, the eastern box turtle, the painted turtles, false map turtles, African aquatic side neck and the razor-backed musk turtle. Owning a pet turtle, however, won't be for every household. The first thing you should understand is that turtles need an aquarium that is big enough for them, heating and lighting, well though of diet, proper handling and healthy living in general. The temperatures should always be around 22 to 28 degrees Celsius and on the basking area around 29 to 32 degrees Celsius. may be difficult at first before you get used to it, but after some time you become very well acquainted with what is expected of you. 4-foot tank ….3-4 Hatchlings. The first thing to note is that turtles are swimmers, but not all turtles can swim. Before getting a turtle, ensure you get them from a local animal shelter or a rescue team. Is there any thing I should know first or any websites that might help me get the habitat set up. In Alabama, you may keep only one as a pet. One of the requirements of a turtle is to have a proper diet for healthy living. } Is it wise to get a turtle as a pet? You may wish to provide extra covering for your turtle such as old carpet or grass clippings, or you may prefer to move him to a hibernation box. When young, most turtles are carnivorous, feeding on larvae, crickets, slugs and earthworms. The first thing you should understand is that turtles need an aquarium that is big enough for them, heating and lighting, well though of diet, proper handling and healthy living in general. They are slow crawlers, slow to mature, and can live up to 100 years in the wild, though they have much shorter lives in captivity. What To Feed a Turtle? Turtles can certainly make great pets, but – as with any other type of reptile – you must be sure to select a species that you can care for properly. Only a turtle in robust health should be allowed to hibernate. Mississippi Map Turtle Most importantly, if you find out that a pet turtle is not for you, please don’t release it into the wild. So with a bit of math and measuring up your room or apartment you can easily see if there is space for this pet. { The good part about getting a turtle is that they do not require much attention. It is absolutely not a good idea to keep a wild turtle as a pet. It is up to you to decide what you want. Though cute, turtles and tortoises do not make good pets for children, especially because they can transmit salmonella. There are different types of pet turtles. At times, you may find yourself with diarrhoea and fever. When preparing a tank for the arrival of a semi-aquatic turtle, a size of between 20-30 gallons would be acceptable – particularly if you’re planning on keeping more than one. You need to have the desire and a love for animals." Many pet turtle species are not meant to live in the wild and will die without care or can introduce diseases that can sicken wild turtles. Keeping turtles as pets can be fascinating if proper attention and care is given. Both have very different needs that will need to be catered for in order to prevent illness and stress in the animal. “[Buy a turtle] because you absolutely love turtles. While this has some truth in it, it is not all true. 1. Get all latest content a few times a month! 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