Aquatic pet turtles are not meant for children. Children cannot provide optimum care for pet turtles. These water pet turtles many times are carriers of Salmonella that can infect children. Aquatic pet turtles need their habitat to be cleaned regularly and therefore children often lose interest in maintaining proper care for these freshwater pet turtles.
Turtle Homes
Aquatic pet turtles require homes or enclosures that have regular UV light exposure. The aquatic pet turtles suffer from soft shell syndrome if the UV light is not provided. These aquatic pet turtles require high quality good filtration unit to maintain the quality of water and keep it clean. The water level should be enough for the turtles to swim. Provide them with a basking area and basking light. Maintain the water and the ambiance temperature at optimum levels.
Turtle Feeding
Is the question what do turtles eat troubling you? Aquatic pet turtles are omnivorous creatures and eat everything from insects to lettuce. Though, it doesn't mean you can feed anything and everything edible under the sun to your freshwater pet turtle. There not many commercial foods available in the market. You can feed your turtle 'food sticks' to keep your aquatic pet turtle healthy.
You can also give him a mixed diet of fish food, little bits of meat, fruits and vegetables. Aquatic turtle pets have bad table manners and therefore make sure their water is clean and free from decomposing food and meat.
Feed your aquatic pet turtle with small live fish once a week. The fish hunt will provide the water pet turtle with some exercise and entertain you as you watch them dive after their food.
You should keep a dish of fresh water in your aquatic pet turtles pen as their living water is full of their excreta! If you notice lethargy or cloudy skin patches or milky eyes in your turtle, it means malnutrition. Visit a veterinarian with knowledge about reptilian health and find out the cause.
These exotic creatures have specific needs that are required to maintain their health. There are many factors to be considered other than ample light, moisture, clean water, basking lamp and UVA bulb. When raising an indoor aquatic pet turtle, keep in mind that the tank capacity should be at least 40 gallons. Provide ample land area and water area. Make special arrangements for the turtle to bask under the basking lamp. Do not remove your water pet turtle from the water to play or show off. These sudden temperature change may be stressful to your turtle. Aquatic pet turtles are cold-blooded and therefore their body takes time to adjust to the temperature change. Use de-chlorinated water for the tank and fresh spring water for drinking.
Do not use wood chips or tree bark in their dwelling area. These grow fungus and may be harmful if the turtle ingest them. Turtles require 12 hours of sunlight. Therefore provide proper UV light so that they receive vitamin D3 that is necessary for them to stay healthy.
Indoor aquatic pet turtles should not be allowed to hibernate. If you have an outdoor pool or aquatic pet turtle enclosure, the turtle can hibernate. Do not place your aquatic pet turtles in the refrigerator to provide the ideal hibernation conditions. The change on refrigerator temperature due to power cuts may disturb its sleep and prove to be fatal. If you wish to breed aquatic pet turtles, try and recreate their natural habitat. These water pet turtles will undergo hibernation and complete their natural cycles. Do not disturb them while they are asleep.
If you are planning to own a turtle as pet, keep in mind that these intelligent animals can distinguish between friends and foes. Aquatic pet turtles as you have read, have many requirements to stay healthy and live longer. It is not easy to keep an aquatic pet turtle as a pet. You need to put in a lot of care and attention regularly for their well-being. Research well about all the information regarding the pros and cons for wild animals as pets. If you are ready to take this responsibility, adopt an aquatic pet turtle. These tame and sociable creatures do not ask for anything other than a proper environment and good pet care. You are responsible for a precious life, do not let it go waste due to your negligence.
i learned what i needed to know. it was very helpful, and to the point.
ReplyDeletethis hepls alot.
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