Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 3: How to Home a Turtle
• Method 2 of 3: How to feed your turtle
• Method 3 of 3: Keeping Your Turtle Healthy
• Tips

Turtles are not as cute and sociable as cats or dogs, but they make great pets too. Since turtles live for decades before you buy a turtle, consider whether you are ready for this responsibility. To keep your turtle comfortable in your home, you will need to house, feed and care for it. Each turtle species has its own care requirements, so ask the breeder or pet store employee to advise you on caring for your turtle.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: How to Home a Turtle

1. 1 Set up your turtle in as large aquarium as possible. Buy a large glass aquarium. Choose an aquarium based on 38 liters per 2.5 centimeters of shell length. Remember that each turtle species may have its own dwelling size requirements.
   • If you have a young turtle, find out how big it will grow as an adult. Let's say you bought your 10-centimeter turtle a 150-liter aquarium. If the turtle grows up to 30 centimeters, the tank will be too small for it.
   • The aquarium should also have a lid to cover it to prevent the turtle from escaping.
   • Aquatic turtles need sufficient water to swim in depth. The depth should be at least two times the size of the turtle.
2. 2 Cover the bottom of the aquarium with moss or soil. Mix equal parts wood shavings and moss or sand and earth. Cover the bottom of the aquarium with the mixture 5-8 centimeters.
   • Don't use gravel. The turtle can swallow small stones and suffocate.
3. 3 Provide a place for the turtle to bask. Place a mixture of sand and earth or moss and shavings 1 centimeter more on one side of the aquarium. Press the smooth and wide river rocks or pieces of wood in this part of the aquarium into the surface. This part should always remain dry and above the water.
   • Make the transition to the rocks smooth so that it is not difficult for the turtle to climb there.
   • Buy a turtle shelter and place it in this part of the aquarium. The turtle will be happy with a place where it can hide.
   • Remember, if you have an aquatic turtle, the water needs to be deeper. To keep the resting area always above the water, lift it up two tortoise lengths.
4. 4 Pour water into the aquarium. Tap water can be used as long as it doesn't contain too much chlorine. If you have a box turtle, you shouldn't have a lot of water. The turtle should be able to raise its head above the water at its deepest point.
   • Box turtles can drown in deeper water. If you have an aquatic turtle (such as a red-eared turtle), remember that the water should be twice as deep as the length of the turtle.
   • Buy a chlorine test kit online, at a pet store, or at a home improvement store. If the chlorine level in the water is above 0, use bottled water or purchase a chlorine neutralizer at a pet store.
5. 5 Install a reptile lamp. It is important to provide both a warmer and colder place in the aquarium. Buy a reptile lamp with a reflector from a pet store. Make sure this is a reptile lamp. Place a thermometer in the aquarium and keep the temperature in the area where the turtle will be basking is between 29-32 ° C.
   • If your bulb is equipped with an incandescent light bulb, you will also need a fluorescent light bulb with UVA and UVB light. The UV light will provide your turtle with the vitamin D it needs to properly absorb calcium.
   • The lamp will need to be turned off overnight, but the temperature in the aquarium should not drop below 16 ° C. If the air and water in the aquarium gets too cold at night, place the aquarium on a heating pad or buy a device that will heat the water at the pet store.
   • Prepare everything you need two weeks before buying your turtle so that you can pre-adjust the temperature and other conditions.
6. 6 Install a water filter. Buy a filter that can handle twice the volume of your aquarium. Let's say you have a water turtle and live in a 380-liter aquarium where half is filled with water. Since there are approximately 190 liters of water in an aquarium, buy a filter that can hold 380-570 liters.
   • Ask a pet store employee to help you choose a filter.
   • Even if you have a filter, you will need to clean the tank every day with a net. For cleaner water, feed your turtle in a separate tank.
7. 7 Buy a small spare aquarium. You will need it to transport your turtle. You can also plant your turtle in it while cleaning your main tank.
   • Since the second tank will be used inconsistently, it does not need to be large. But make sure the turtle can move freely inside. To prevent the turtle from freezing, move the lamp to the spare aquarium while the turtle is there.

Method 2 of 3: How to feed your turtle

1. 1 Buy feedcorresponding to the type of turtle. Buy pellets or canned foods from a pet store. Most domesticated turtles need both animal protein and vegetables. The ready-made food will provide the animal with all the necessary substances, but for the health of the turtle, it will also need fresh food.
2. 2 Offer fish, invertebrates, and vegetables to your turtle. Buy fresh or frozen guppies or other small fish, worms, grasshoppers, and crickets. Chop vegetables (cabbage, lettuce, dandelion, carrots) and add them to your turtle's meal.
   • Alternate meals so your turtle doesn't get bored of the same things. You can feed the turtle 1–2 times a week and offer fresh food 1–2 times.
   • Live fish and insects will make your turtle think.
   • To prevent the turtle from suffocating, cut the vegetables into small pieces. The size of the piece should be smaller than the turtle's beak.
3. 3 Feed your turtle 3-4 times a week. Many species of turtles that are suitable for keeping at home should be fed every other day, but it is best to check with your vendor to be sure. Feed the animal in the morning as the turtles are more active during this time. Serving size is tricky because there are no clear guidelines.
   • Usually, experts advise giving the turtle the amount of food it can eat in 5 minutes. Observe your turtle the first time you feed it to determine your serving size. Turtles usually eat willingly and can eat more than they need to if given unlimited access to food.
   • If you have an aquatic turtle, put food in water. Aquatic turtles cannot swallow food if it is not in water. After 5 minutes, collect the leftover food with a net to keep the water clear.
   • If you have a box turtle, put its food in a bowl and remove the bowl after 5 minutes.
4. 4 Add calcium to your turtle's food at every feed. Powdered calcium carbonate is sold online and at pet stores. Sprinkle calcium on your turtle's food 1-2 times a week to keep the animal from calcium deficiency.
   • Turtles need a lot of calcium to keep their shells strong.
   • If you have an aquatic turtle, put a chunk of calcium carbonate in the water for the turtle to eat.

Method 3 of 3: Keeping Your Turtle Healthy

1. 1 Inspect your turtle regularly for signs of illness. Examine your turtle every day or every other day (for example, during feedings). The skin and carapace should be smooth. They should be free of spots, calluses and other defects. Examine the eyes, nose and beak - there should be no discharge or discoloration. Pay attention to unusual changes in behavior.
   • Turtles are generally in good health, but they can catch infections, malnutrition, and eye problems. If you notice warning signs (softening of the shell, cloudy eyes, blisters on the skin), take the turtle to a herpetologist as soon as possible.
   • Look for a doctor online or ask the breeder to recommend a specialist.
2. 2 Collect faeces with a net every day. To keep the water as clean as possible, collect feces, food leftovers, and other debris daily. Be sure to wash your hands after touching the inside of the tank or picking up your turtle.
   • Turtles can carry salmonella, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea.
3. 3 Check pH level, as well as the level of ammonia, nitrite and nitrate in the water every few days. Buy a test kit from a pet store or online. The pH level should be in the range of 6.0-8.0, that is, be neutral. There should be no ammonia in the water. Nitrite levels should be less than 0.5 ppm and nitrates less than 40 ppm.
   • The turtle will drink the water, so it is important to regularly check the composition of the water and keep it clean. If the pH level is outside the normal range, add a special substance to the water (you can buy it at the pet store). If the water contains high levels of ammonia, nitrates or nitrites, change the aquarium water and buy a different filter.
4. 4 Change 25% of the aquarium water weekly. Pour out a quarter of the water using a bucket or siphon and replace it with the same amount of fresh water.
   • Good bacteria live in the water, so try not to replace all of the water.
5. 5 Clean the aquarium every 3 weeks. Transfer your turtle to a spare aquarium while harvesting. Leave a quarter or half of the water and pour out the rest of the water. Throw away old moss or soil. Scrub the rocks, the turtle's hideout, and the inside of the aquarium with a sponge soaked in bleach solution (1 part bleach to 10 parts warm water).
   • Thoroughly rinse the aquarium and accessories to remove any traces of detergent. Then put all the items back and pour clean water.
   • Wash your hands and treat your sink or bathroom with a cleaner after cleaning. Remember that turtles can carry germs that can cause disease in humans.

Tips

• Be sure to wash your hands after holding the turtle in your hands, after touching the inside of the aquarium, and after cleaning the aquarium.
• Each turtle species has its own care requirements, so ask the breeder what you need to know.