Pet Turtles

The effects of the trade Most Red-Eared sliders destined for the pet trade are doomed to die a premature death from the day they hatch. The vast majority are sold to un-Knowledgeable dealers who in turn sell them without adequate care information to equally un-Knowledgeable purchasers. The Tortoise Trust would like to see it made a legal requirement that all exotic animals can only be sold if accompanied by accurate and adequate information on basic husbandry. Some 3 to 4 million Red-eared sliders are exported from the U.S.A every year. Most originate from intensive farms in Louisiana and Mississippi. The same commercial turtle hunters who supply replacement breeding stock for these farms are also responsible for collecting as many as 25,000 - 30,000 adult animals per week for export to foreign food markets (mainly in the Far East). Commercial intensive terrapin farms usually consist of several artificial ponds each of which can contain up to 13,000 breeding adults. There is...

Turtle Habitats... (Continued.) From Below diagram you may got some Idea that what you can do to make your turtle happy in the indoor setup... A.   Fresh Air Screen Cover B.   Dome light and black or red reptile bulb C.   Fluorescent Strip Light with UV Bulb , on a Timer ,For a more streamlined look, consider using a combination heat/light fixture like “ The Slider" Reptile Hood or Zilla Combo Fixture . D.   Thermometers for both air and water temperatures, and Hygrometer if possible. E.   Real or Artificial Plants F.   Filter(s) ( Internal or Canister , the larger the better!) G.   Under Tank Heater (UTH) or Submersible Heater H.   Basking/Land areas, such as a Turtle Ramp or Dock , rocks or  Driftwood I.   Turtle Health conditioner.

Turtle Habitats Turtle habitats should be like human homes - clean, safe, and comfortable to live in. A god habitat should meet the lifestyle requirements of a turtle, be easy and convenient to clean, provide privacy for your turtle, and look nice inside your house. The following are seven guidelines to setting up turtle habitats. Size and Structure The size and structure of the turtle’s tank should be calculated based on the mature size of the turtle, so you do not have to replace the tank every year. Get a tank that is made of strong glass, preferably those molded in fiberglass. Do not get tanks with thin glass because they can break easily under the water pressure. Land and Water Area Turtles swim, feed in water, and love to bask. It is important that you consider this. The turtle’s swimming area should be unobstructed. The land area in turtle habitats can be made of acrylic, glass, thick wood, plastic, or a large ...

Eastern Painted Turtle About Your Turtle: D o you have an eastern painted turtle? If this is your first time owning one, you will want to be able to take good care of it. But the main consideration when purchasing a painted turtle should be longevity. Painted turtles are long lived animals that can thrive in a variety of habitats. If you are not willing to commit to having an animal for several decades, a painted turtle is not for you. There are some simple tips for taking care of these painted turtles. Your first order of business though is to correctly identify your turtle as a true painted one. Different turtle species have different requirements for care. The painted turtle has a top shell or carapace that is black and flat. Its distinguishing marks however are the deep lines in between the carapace plates or scutes. The carapace edge also has red streaks on the bottom. The plastron, or bottom, of the turtle is yellow but may...

Box Turtle T he box turtle ( Terrapene ), or box tortoise is a genus of turtle native to North America (United States and Mexico). The 12 taxa which are distinguished in the genus are distributed over four species. It is largely characterized by having a domed shell, which is hinged at the bottom, allowing the animal to close its shell tightly to escape predators. Box turtles have become popular pets, although their needs in captivity are complex.     A lot of people are concerned about American box turtle care. After all, box turtles are among the most popular pets around. If you are sure that you can keep and care for one in the next four decades or so, then these care tips are for you. You should never forget though that not all box turtles are alike. Certain species of Asian box turtles have different care requirements than the American types. Within both major box turtle categories are several species or sub species. This means that y...

Red Eared Turtle A red eared turtle, or a red eared slider, is a semi-aquatic turtle that is a common household pet. They are not overly demanding pets, but understanding their requirements will ensure that they do not die of improper handling. Providing a Habitat   You cannot just place the red eared slider in a plastic container and expect it to live long. Like any other turtle, it needs a proper habitat to strive. Give it a large-enough tank, with water and a land area where it can swim and bask, respectively. Clean out the tank water every 45 days and use a water filtration system so the turtle will not be swimming in dirty water too long.    Red Eared Sliders are semi-aquatic. Meaning, they like to go on land and swim in water. They spend most of their time in water and sleep underwater. During sunny hot hours, Red Eared Sliders will crawl out o...

Turtle Identification... Turtle identification is useful because you will not only know what sort of turtle you have, but you will also know how to take care of it properly. There are different types of turtles, and if you own one, it is important that you know what it is because not all turtles have the same requirements. Turtle Identification: Box Turtles Box turtles are known for their dome shells that are hinged at the bottom. This allows the turtle to close its shell to escape predators. They are omnivores that have sharp eyes and a keen sense of smell. The young are carnivorous, and as they grow old, become herbivorous. They are also known to eat road-kill. One of the box turtle's defense mechanisms is to snap its jaw shut. This can produce a sound as loud as 75 decibels, which scares predators away. This sound can also be used as a mating call. Box turtles can live up to twenty years, with some reaching th...

Pet Turtle Aquarium A pet turtle aquarium is mostly constructed of glass or high quality plastic. Before purchasing aquarium, it is essential for you to understand whether your pet turtle is aquatic or semi aquatic. Buying a turtle aquarium requires ample research. You should try to provide best possible environment to your pet turtle to make them survive for long. Some guidelines that will help you in buying good aquarium for your pet turtle are described below. Requirements of the Pet turtle aquarium: Heater/ lighting: Heater and light is one of the essential requirements of pet turtle aquarium. You should avoid keeping your reptile aquarium under direct sunlight as it can cause growth of algae. UVA and UVB lights are good to opt for your turtle aquarium as it helps in absorbing vitamin D3. Make sure that the heater you opt for your aquarium is working efficiently. Filter/ water conditioner: filters and water conditioner a...