The lifespans of pet turtles can vary because a lot depends on how their owners take care of them. But assuming that the pet owner gives their pet a modicum of care and upkeep, their pet turtle will live much longer than other pets like dogs , cats, birds, and fish. You are the key to the long life of your pet turtle. Here are some suggestions on how you can ensure your pet turtle lives as long as possible.
It is expected of you to buy a terrarium where you can put your pet turtle s safely. This will be their living space where they can be protected from the elements and other animals. The smallest terrarium that you should buy is 29 gallons. It should at least be 18 inches tall, 18 inches wide, and 4 feet long. Place the right amount of soil and small stones, and water on the terrarium. Water should not be too deep or too shallow.
If the turtles are still small, they might drown if the water is too deep. They are still learning to swim. Ensure that your turtles have constant access to land and water inside the terrarium.
With a tank filter, you only need to change the water every two or three days. Give food to your pet turtles two times a day. Be watchful of the physical conditions or features of your pet turtles. Any change in their normal physical conditions could be a sign of an illness. Look for swollen eyes, discoloration of their shells, not eating their food, etc. Contact a vet if you notice any of these signs on your pet turtles. The vet will know what to do. The right food will make a great difference in prolonging the life of your pet turtle.
Health problems occur when pet owners forget to feed them regularly with the right food. To feed your pet turtle correctly, follow these tips. When it comes to vegetables, most turtles will prefer to eat romaine lettuce, bok choy, dandelion leaves, kale, collard green, and mustard greens.
For protein, they will prefer feeder fish, daphnia, mealworms, cooked meat, earthworms, silkworms, shrimp, wax worms, krill, crickets, and snails. If pet turtle owners seldom clean the terrarium, health problems of the turtles will get more serious. According to Brian Ogle, a science instructor specializing in animal behavior at Beacon College in Florida, the most common problems in captive reptiles are calcium and Vitamin A deficiencies [ 1 ]. Additionally, there are pathogenic organisms that can make pet turtles sick.
A common disease in captive turtles is salmonella. The heat lamp keeps your turtle dry in the basking place. The last thing you need to pay attention to is the diet of the turtle. For additional protein, you can use mealworms, insects, shrimps, chickens etc. The diet also varies on what species of turtle you are keeping.
You should only get a pet turtle if you can commit to it. A turtle can be a lifelong pet for you. So, if you are ready to take responsibility for it for your whole life, then go for it. You can either go for an indoor turtle setup or an outdoor turtle enclosure , whatever you wish.
You should never release a pet turtle into the wild. There are also cases where pet turtles carry certain types of diseases that may harm the wild turtle population.
This is why you should never release your pet turtle into the wild. If you want help, you can look for a local herpetology society around your area. There are also many wildlife websites from where you can get help. Though scientists have not yet confirmed any turtle species living for years, it is very possible that some endemic turtle species are living for years, such as the Galapagos tortoise.
It generally varies on species, however, most aquatic turtle species can live weeks out of water in a damp or humid environment. Turtles also have natural protection from predators in their tough shells and thick, armored skin, which, unlike animals that tend to be prey, gives them the luxury of being able to take their time reproducing.
The longest-lived of all the turtle species, the Galapagos giant tortoise, eats a strict vegetarian diet that's full of greens and free of fat and cholesterol. These slow-moving gentle giants are extremely docile and peace-loving creatures that generally live stress-free lives. This combination of calm and healthy living is likely another explanation for their extreme longevity. Jean Marie Bauhaus has been writing about a wide range of topics since Her articles have appeared on a number of popular websites, and she is also the author of two urban fantasy novels.
By using the site, you agree to the uses of cookies and other technology as outlined in our Policy, and to our Terms of Use. They have a slow metabolism which allows them to survive long periods of time without needing food or water.
Another theory of why these animals live for such a long time could be due to their lifestyle. The Galapagos turtle, which in some cases has lived for over years, lives a calm, stress free and healthy lifestyle. A diet of vegetables and fruit and the combination of stress-free living could be another explanation as to why these magnificent animals live for so long.
In the wild a turtle or tortoises lifespan will ultimately depend on pollution, predators and any other environmental risks. In order for your pet turtle to live a long lifespan proper care is needed. They need to have the right enclosure and proper diet to remain healthy and happy and live out their full lifespan.
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