How to raise a tortoise (with photo) - tips

Video: HOW TO FEED TURTLES - The Basics | Turtle 101

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The turtle has been present on this planet for more than 200 million years, meaning that this creature was walking on earth at the same time as the dinosaurs. They are charming and interesting pets that humans love to see and care for. However, since tortoises are long lived and experienced, they have plenty of time to form a number of interests and an entire list of individual needs. Therefore, caring for a tortoise can be a bigger responsibility than you might think it will take you time and energy to keep your tortoise healthy and strong. If you want to learn how to take care of this wonderful animal, start with step 1 below.

Steps

Part 1 of 5: Choosing turtles

Choose turtles. Tortoises come in many varieties, and there are many factors you need to consider when choosing a turtle to keep, from the turtle's appearance to the habitat it prefers and the amount of money you have to pay for the species. this shell. Whichever turtle you choose will be a lovely family pet if you take good care of them. Some common turtle species include African tortoise (Sulcata), leopard turtle (Leopard), red-footed tortoise (Redfoot), yellowfoot turtle, Greek tortoise (Greek), Russian turtle (Russian), tortoise Hermann, and the Indian Star. Here are a few things you need to know about choosing turtles:
- Although your turtle is pretty small when you first bring it home, some turtles can grow to more than 60 cm in size after 5-10 years of being cared for. If you are determined to keep a turtle for a long time, do not let the appearance of the turtle be attractive, but consider which turtle is suitable for your lifestyle, income and environment, and your ability to accommodate. their needs.
Buy turtles from a reputable seller. It is important to buy turtles from a seller you trust, have a successful business history and can guarantee that the turtle you sell is in good health. Avoid buying turtles at reptile shows, as you may not get a chance to contact the seller again after buying, so they have no way of checking how you care for the turtle.
- Find a seller who prides itself on their customer service, whether you buy it from a pet store or search online. If the seller says that you can easily get in touch with them after purchasing the turtle then you are more likely to have a secure transaction.
- In the US, there are a number of laws regarding the rearing and breeding of turtles, especially Mediterranean turtles. If you want to keep this breed, make sure the seller has C.I.T.E.S. (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora).
Make sure you accept lasting responsibility for your turtle. Turtles are not the ideal pet for you if you've only been able to look after them for a year or two. Turtles can live for 30-100 years, which means your pet turtle can live longer than you.But don't worry; as long as you make sure there is a stable habitat for your turtle and know that you will find someone to take care of the turtle for you if you have to move elsewhere.
- You don't have to live in the same place for 50 years, but you should be prepared to care for a new member of your family for many years.
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Part 2 of 5: Feeding and contact with turtles

Feed the turtles. The food for turtles depends largely on the species of turtle you choose. It is important to ask where to buy turtles for turtle primary food. In general, most tortoises eat green leafy vegetables, such as the usual “mixed lettuce” that you can find at grocery stores. Baby turtles need to eat brittle or softer foods because their tiny teeth can hardly tear hard foods. Turtles can eat most vegetables like broccoli, green beans or kale, especially when mixed with vegetables, but it's important to know what food is needed for the turtle you are keeping. .
- Your turtle may need a supplement to stay strong and strong. Supplements must contain calcium, in addition to some vitamins A, Vitamin D3 if you keep turtles indoors and do not have UV light.
- Some turtles prefer dandelion leaves, celery, lettuce, and occasionally fruit.
Provide water for the turtles. It is important that your turtle has enough water to stay healthy. Just pour a little water into a shallow tray or plate and place it on the bottom of the cage to prevent the turtles from overturning. The plate should be shallow enough that the turtle can easily step inside and drink the water down, without being completely submerged.
- Change water every day. You need to give the turtle a separate bowl of water, whether outdoors or indoors.
Be careful when holding the turtle in your hand. Never drop a turtle; If the shells are broken, they can die from infection. No matter how much you crave a pet turtle in your hand, you should refrain from lifting the turtle or letting others do it. This can be stressful for the turtle.
- If you have young children in your family, explain to them that if you love turtles, it is best to only look, and only pick them up when necessary during care.
Let the turtle soak it in water several times a week. Turtles need adequate water supply, especially when they are young. When you first bring turtles home, you should soak the turtles in the water a few times a week so that they are fully hydrated, remember to keep the turtle's head above the water. After being soaked in water, turtles usually begin to drink water right away. This is a sign that things are going well. Remember that it is not good to let a turtle soak in much water. You should only immerse the turtle in water up to every two days. The water for the turtles to soak should be as warm as baby bath water.
Choose accommodation for turtles. Ideally, you should set aside an outdoor area for turtles. Many people believe that keeping turtles in a house is not humane. If you are determined to keep turtles, you should prepare an outdoor shelter for the turtles, except for baby turtles or turtles that can only stay indoors. If you decide to keep only turtles indoors, you should research and choose a breed that can accommodate this.
- You can also combine the two ways, keeping turtles indoors during cold months and exposing them outside during warm months. You should prepare both types of home for turtles to allow them to live a healthy and happy life.
- See the following sections to learn how to properly care for turtles, whether outdoors or indoors.
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Part 3 of 5: Taking care of turtles in the house

Create a suitable place for turtles indoors. When choosing where to live for indoors, you need to consider the type of turtle housing you like, whether it's a glass aquarium or a glass aquarium. Remember that you need to set aside at least 2.8 square meters of space for a baby turtle. A 40 - 80 liter aquarium may be enough for a baby turtle, but it will grow very quickly, and you need to make sure your turtle has enough space to grow.
- You can use a glass tank, but your turtle will get frustrated easily because they often try to find a way through the glass. You should stick the paper on the outside of the glass so that it won't get confused.
- You can also use a plastic container or a cement mixer to make a home for the baby turtles. These items have the advantage of opaque box walls, so turtles are not mistaken for glass.
- The turtle's house must be tall enough that they cannot get out.
Provide enough light for the turtles. If you keep turtles outdoors, you don't have to worry that they aren't getting enough light and therefore not enough vitamin D to thrive. Here are a few things to consider when preparing the right lighting for your turtle:
- You should use a table lamp with a minimum capacity of 100W for heating and another UV lamp to sunbathe the turtles, or just a mercury vapor lamp to provide both heat and UV rays to the turtle.
- Heating lamps for turtles should be between 30 and 35 ° C; But this temperature can vary, depending on the breed of turtle.
- Be sure to place the lights in the right place so the turtle can absorb heat and cool in other areas of the cage.
- Providing the turtles with heat and UV rays is not only essential to the turtle's health, but also makes them happy. Turtles love light baths!
Use suitable backing material for turtles. Liner material will cover the substrate in the turtle farming area and should be properly composed to ensure the safety and health of the turtle. The most important thing is, whether indoors or outdoors, you need to make sure the substrate is not too wet, otherwise your turtle will be susceptible to infection if it tears or has not healed. strip off. The backing material depends on the breed of the turtle. You should consider the following factors:
- If your breed needs medium or high humidity, the substrate should be able to retain moisture well. In this case, suitable materials include coconut fiber, sphagnum moss or peat moss.
- If your turtle needs a drier environment, you can use materials like coir and hay.
- Avoid using sand as backing material, as turtles can eat sand and cause a major hassle.
- The backing material is not that important when the turtle is outdoors, as the natural environment is appropriate. You can add a little peat moss to the turtle's habitat for more stimulation. Just make sure that what is added to the backing is free of chemicals or pesticides.
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Part 4 of 5: Taking care of turtles outdoors

Install a barrier to protect the turtle. Bringing turtles outside when the temperature is pleasant is great for your pet turtle. However, you cannot let the turtles roam freely around the yard. Instead, you need to install a barrier to keep the turtle inside. You can build a brick wall with mortar or a closed wooden wall.
- Your turtle will try to find a way to dig in the corners of the cage, so the corners of the cage should be neat and secure. If you see turtles digging, you can attach a wire mesh below the barrier surface to keep the turtle safe.
- Turtles are not very cold tolerant, so unless they are kept indoors, you will have to be prepared to temporarily bring them indoors if the temperature in your area drops below 15 ° C during the coldest months. It is easier if you are in a very hot climate and want to leave the turtles outside, but you need to make sure there is always shade, especially on humid areas or water sources.
Provide shelter for turtles. Your turtle will need a hiding place to feel safe and to avoid the heat, rain or other elements. You want your turtle to be warm and comfortable and not overheat. Ideally, make a cave for the turtles, where they will sleep and shelter. You can make a wooden turtle cave and cover it with a layer of soil a few centimeters thick and a cold weather heater, if needed.
- First, dig a large hole in the earth. You can put a layer of plywood on the bottom.
- Install the top roof to make shelter for turtles.
- Cover the roof with soil.
Provide plants and trees for the turtles. You should plant enough plants around the turtle's open air so they can eat and feel safe all day. Take a look at a turtle's diet to see which plants are poisonous and not toxic to turtles. In general, turtles typically eat large leaf grasses such as dandelions, grasses, or clover.
- Plants are able to control the ammonia and nitrates in the soil, so you will also have less need to change substrates.
Create a stimulus for turtles. Your turtle needs a stimulating environment for them to be active and not bored. You can add clusters of grass in the turtle's habitat for the turtle to dig and provide shade. Add some rocks to give your turtle a bit of privacy, as long as the rock isn't too steep. You can also plant a few more small trees for shade and shelter, and also adorn your surroundings. advertisement

Part 5 of 5: Keeping turtles healthy

Protect turtles from other animals. If you keep turtles outdoors, you will need to be careful not to be harmed by predators, such as cats. If you have a dog, never let it go near turtles; even the most gentle dogs can surprise turtles. While it is not possible to keep turtles completely safe from birds, foxes or other predators, try to protect them as much as possible by providing as many caves and hiding places for turtles. keep the turtle area intact and keep an eye on the outside environment.
- Someone recommends using wire mesh fence for baby turtles to protect them from dangerous animals.
Help turtles stay healthy if they close their eyes. Many people think that there is something wrong with a turtle's eyes if they close their eyes. In fact, this phenomenon is rarely dangerous. When turtles close their eyes, let them soak in water and water them a little over the cave to increase moisture if you keep turtles indoors. If the problem occurs frequently it could be a sign of infection, but usually only on the skin. Try applying a solution of salt and water to the turtle's eyes 1-2 times a day until the turtle opens, then feed the turtle some spinach for vitamin A every two days. The most common cause of vitamin A deficiency is dehydration. If symptoms persist for more than a week after home treatment, take the turtle to a veterinarian who specializes in treating reptiles.
Keep turtles active by meeting their basic needs. While it's okay for a baby turtle to sleep for most of the day, if your turtle is too passive, you have to start working to determine the source of the problem. Here are some reasons why turtles are not less active:
- The most common cause is that turtles are too cold. Make sure the turtle's habitat is warm relative to the surrounding environment.
- If the turtles are indoors, be sure to provide enough light for them. Stronger light can make them more dynamic.
- Make sure the baby turtles are soaked in water throughout the day. One reason turtles are inactive is because they don't have enough water.
- Try to limit your handling of the turtle in your hand, as stress can also make turtles passive.
- Feed your turtle a balanced diet. Check that green vegetables and / or supplements fully meet the turtle's needs.
Keep the turtle's shell strong. If the shells are soft, they probably don't get enough light and calcium. This rarely happens if turtles live outdoors, but turtles that live indoors may experience this as they have less exposure to a steady light source. If your turtle lives indoors and has a soft shell, make sure that your turtle has a UV lamp placed at least 20-25 cm away and change the bulb at least every 9-12 months to stay fresh and efficient. . advertisement

Warning

Do not drop turtles, they can become infected and die if the shell breaks.
If you do not feed turtles with calcium supplements, you will need to know the proportions of calcium and phosphorus in their food to ensure their shells are growing well.
Pay attention to the amount of oxalate in the vegetables eaten by the turtle. Every time turtles consume oxalic acid along with calcium, a portion of the calcium is trapped indigestible, and the substance is then converted to uric acid. Excess oxalates in some vegetables can cause uric acid to build up faster than a turtle's ability to eliminate, leading to kidney stone disease. A relative excess of oxalate can also cause a calcium deficiency.
Some turtles (such as Russian turtles) are commonly caught in the wild. This can be stressful and traumatic. Do not support this action! Turtles bred in captivity are generally cheaper and better.