Difference between revisions of "Keep Your Turtle Happy"
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===Designing a Happy Home=== | ===Designing a Happy Home=== | ||
| − | #Provide lots of space. Turtles enjoy swimming, basking in the sun, and being active. Turtles also grow. Therefore, providing lots of space for your turtle to enjoy these activities and giving room to grow is important in making your turtle happy. <ref>https://www.lovethatpet.com/small-pets/turtles/</ref> | + | #Provide lots of space. Turtles enjoy swimming, basking in the sun, and being active. Turtles also grow. Therefore, providing lots of space for your turtle to enjoy these activities and giving room to grow is important in making your turtle happy. <ref name="rf1">https://www.lovethatpet.com/small-pets/turtles/</ref> |
#*Research the potential mature size of your turtle and buy a tank that will reflect his growth. Turtles cannot be crammed into a small space or they will be unhappy. | #*Research the potential mature size of your turtle and buy a tank that will reflect his growth. Turtles cannot be crammed into a small space or they will be unhappy. | ||
#*Glass aquariums that provide about three to four times the length of the turtle are most desirable. Turtles need to be able to totally submerge themselves and they need an area to get out of the water and get completely dry. | #*Glass aquariums that provide about three to four times the length of the turtle are most desirable. Turtles need to be able to totally submerge themselves and they need an area to get out of the water and get completely dry. | ||
#*Keep in mind that the bigger the tank is, the happier the turtle will be. Turtles are reptiles that, surprisingly, have a large territory in the wild. Try to reflect that with a large tank. | #*Keep in mind that the bigger the tank is, the happier the turtle will be. Turtles are reptiles that, surprisingly, have a large territory in the wild. Try to reflect that with a large tank. | ||
| − | #Build a beach. Turtles take pleasure from spending time on land and water, so creating an environment that allows them to do both will make them happy. Although turtle aquariums do not need much landscaping creating an appropriate habitat will maximize your turtle’s health and longevity. Designing the habitat can be a fun and creative project, but always remember to your turtle’s needs in mind. <ref>http://pets.petsmart.com/guides/turtles/choosing-the-right-turtle.shtml</ref> | + | #Build a beach. Turtles take pleasure from spending time on land and water, so creating an environment that allows them to do both will make them happy. Although turtle aquariums do not need much landscaping creating an appropriate habitat will maximize your turtle’s health and longevity. Designing the habitat can be a fun and creative project, but always remember to your turtle’s needs in mind. <ref name="rf2">http://pets.petsmart.com/guides/turtles/choosing-the-right-turtle.shtml</ref> |
#*Try to keep the water portion deeper than the shell is wide so your turtle can completely submerge and swim freely. | #*Try to keep the water portion deeper than the shell is wide so your turtle can completely submerge and swim freely. | ||
#*Slope the land portion into the water so your turtle does not have trouble entering or exiting the water portion. | #*Slope the land portion into the water so your turtle does not have trouble entering or exiting the water portion. | ||
#*Turtles love to bask in the sun. Create a basking platform so your turtle can enjoy the UVA and UVB heat lamps you set up in the tank. Turtles can relax under the light for up to ten to twelve hours a day. | #*Turtles love to bask in the sun. Create a basking platform so your turtle can enjoy the UVA and UVB heat lamps you set up in the tank. Turtles can relax under the light for up to ten to twelve hours a day. | ||
| − | #Keep clean. Turtles are messy – they excrete, eat, and leave behind scraps of food in their water. If you do no clean their aquarium, both the turtle and its habitat will stink. Moreover, all this waste could potentially cause high ammonia and nitrate levels. <ref>http://pets.petsmart.com/guides/turtles/upkeep-and-maintenance.shtml</ref> | + | #Keep clean. Turtles are messy – they excrete, eat, and leave behind scraps of food in their water. If you do no clean their aquarium, both the turtle and its habitat will stink. Moreover, all this waste could potentially cause high ammonia and nitrate levels. <ref name="rf3">http://pets.petsmart.com/guides/turtles/upkeep-and-maintenance.shtml</ref> |
#*Clean your turtle’s aquarium weekly or create a separate area outside the tank to feed and allow your turtle to excrete waste before reentering the aquarium. | #*Clean your turtle’s aquarium weekly or create a separate area outside the tank to feed and allow your turtle to excrete waste before reentering the aquarium. | ||
#*An unclean tank or turtle could result in several different types of diseases that are difficult to treat. | #*An unclean tank or turtle could result in several different types of diseases that are difficult to treat. | ||
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#*Turtles, like most reptiles, shed. The scutes on your turtle’s shell will become itchy and irritable if you do not keep the shell cleaned off. | #*Turtles, like most reptiles, shed. The scutes on your turtle’s shell will become itchy and irritable if you do not keep the shell cleaned off. | ||
#*Always wash your hands before handling your turtle so that you do not transfer germs or contaminates to your turtle and to prevent the transfer of salmonella. | #*Always wash your hands before handling your turtle so that you do not transfer germs or contaminates to your turtle and to prevent the transfer of salmonella. | ||
| − | #Handle with love. Turtles, like people, have very different personalities. If you have a social turtle, you might be able to pet or play with them, but a general rule would be to keep handling at a minimum. <ref>http://www.petplace.com/article/reptiles/general/enjoying-your-reptile/how-to-handle-turtles-and-tortoises</ref> | + | #Handle with love. Turtles, like people, have very different personalities. If you have a social turtle, you might be able to pet or play with them, but a general rule would be to keep handling at a minimum. <ref name="rf4">http://www.petplace.com/article/reptiles/general/enjoying-your-reptile/how-to-handle-turtles-and-tortoises</ref> |
#*In general, turtles do not enjoy being lifted off of the ground, but sometimes it is necessary to remove them from their aquarium for cleaning, playing, or exercise. If so, handle your turtle gently and securely so they do not bite you or try to escape. | #*In general, turtles do not enjoy being lifted off of the ground, but sometimes it is necessary to remove them from their aquarium for cleaning, playing, or exercise. If so, handle your turtle gently and securely so they do not bite you or try to escape. | ||
#*Remember never to put your turtle on its back, grab its tail, or force it out of its shell. Your turtle will not think that is funny and it will stress them out. | #*Remember never to put your turtle on its back, grab its tail, or force it out of its shell. Your turtle will not think that is funny and it will stress them out. | ||
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===Eating Healthy=== | ===Eating Healthy=== | ||
| − | #Provide variety. Turtles are omnivores and have a voracious appetite. Just like humans, turtles need variety in their life. A balanced diet of vitamins and minerals is very important to keep your turtle happy and satisfied. <ref>http://www.vcahospitals.com/main/pet-health-information/article/animal-health/turtles-aquatic-feeding/1075</ref> | + | #Provide variety. Turtles are omnivores and have a voracious appetite. Just like humans, turtles need variety in their life. A balanced diet of vitamins and minerals is very important to keep your turtle happy and satisfied. <ref name="rf5">http://www.vcahospitals.com/main/pet-health-information/article/animal-health/turtles-aquatic-feeding/1075</ref> |
#*A balanced diet of leafy green vegetables, insects, and prepared turtle foods will keep your turtle growing to full size. Your turtle might also like fruit or even flowers. Make sure you know what type of turtle you have so that you can provide the appropriate diet. | #*A balanced diet of leafy green vegetables, insects, and prepared turtle foods will keep your turtle growing to full size. Your turtle might also like fruit or even flowers. Make sure you know what type of turtle you have so that you can provide the appropriate diet. | ||
#*Never feed your turtle dairy products, as their stomach cannot properly digest lactose. Also steer clear of giving your turtle processed foods. Whole, dairy free foods are best. | #*Never feed your turtle dairy products, as their stomach cannot properly digest lactose. Also steer clear of giving your turtle processed foods. Whole, dairy free foods are best. | ||
| − | #Feed them live food as a snack. Turtles like to chase their food. By providing live food for your turtle, you will give them time for exercise and entertainment. <ref | + | #Feed them live food as a snack. Turtles like to chase their food. By providing live food for your turtle, you will give them time for exercise and entertainment. <ref name="rf5" /> |
#*Provide your turtle with live crickets, mealworms, wax worms are delicious insects that turtles love to eat. | #*Provide your turtle with live crickets, mealworms, wax worms are delicious insects that turtles love to eat. | ||
#*Consider adding alternative insects, or even live fish and shrimp, throughout the week to keep your turtle’s diet interesting and nutritious. | #*Consider adding alternative insects, or even live fish and shrimp, throughout the week to keep your turtle’s diet interesting and nutritious. | ||
| − | #Keep a regular schedule. You love your turtle and it loves you, but do not give your turtle food every time you witness begging. Turtles are opportunistic feeders in the wild since they never know when the next meal is coming. Oftentimes, when your turtle sees you they will approach you with an open mouth because they associate you with feeding. Do not veer from the schedule, otherwise you will probably overfeed your turtle. <ref> http://pets.petsmart.com/guides/turtles/nutrition.shtml</ref> | + | #Keep a regular schedule. You love your turtle and it loves you, but do not give your turtle food every time you witness begging. Turtles are opportunistic feeders in the wild since they never know when the next meal is coming. Oftentimes, when your turtle sees you they will approach you with an open mouth because they associate you with feeding. Do not veer from the schedule, otherwise you will probably overfeed your turtle. <ref name="rf6"> http://pets.petsmart.com/guides/turtles/nutrition.shtml</ref> |
#*Younger turtles need to eat daily whereas adult or mature turtles only need to be fed a few times per week. Be careful not to overfeed your turtle, they can become obese. | #*Younger turtles need to eat daily whereas adult or mature turtles only need to be fed a few times per week. Be careful not to overfeed your turtle, they can become obese. | ||
#*Water should always be accessible. Indeed, many turtles will consume their food under the water, but if they do not, then you should leave your turtle’s food in the same location in the aquarium. That way, your turtle will always know where to go to get their food. | #*Water should always be accessible. Indeed, many turtles will consume their food under the water, but if they do not, then you should leave your turtle’s food in the same location in the aquarium. That way, your turtle will always know where to go to get their food. | ||
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===Exercising Regularly=== | ===Exercising Regularly=== | ||
| − | #Go outside and play. Even if you are a generous owner and purchase an aquarium that provides space and freedom, a turtle will still need additional room to exercise and play. Remember that turtles are extremely active and, in the wild, cover lots of ground despite their unwieldy bodies. <ref | + | #Go outside and play. Even if you are a generous owner and purchase an aquarium that provides space and freedom, a turtle will still need additional room to exercise and play. Remember that turtles are extremely active and, in the wild, cover lots of ground despite their unwieldy bodies. <ref name="rf1" /> |
#*If you plan to let your turtle out of the aquarium to walk around the house, make sure everybody is aware and that you provide some barriers to control the location of their exercise. This avoids any fatal accidents. | #*If you plan to let your turtle out of the aquarium to walk around the house, make sure everybody is aware and that you provide some barriers to control the location of their exercise. This avoids any fatal accidents. | ||
| − | #Provide live fish as a game. While in the aquarium, you can place small fish or cuttlebones on top of the water and let your turtle “hunt” these items. The effort your turtle makes to swim and hunt these objects is a great source of exercise. <ref>http://boxturtlesite.info/diet.HTML</ref> | + | #Provide live fish as a game. While in the aquarium, you can place small fish or cuttlebones on top of the water and let your turtle “hunt” these items. The effort your turtle makes to swim and hunt these objects is a great source of exercise. <ref name="rf7">http://boxturtlesite.info/diet.HTML</ref> |
#*Live insects make tasty and hard to catch as well. Consider feeding your turtle mayflies, caddisflies, beetle larvae, crickets, grasshoppers, mealworms, and waxworms. | #*Live insects make tasty and hard to catch as well. Consider feeding your turtle mayflies, caddisflies, beetle larvae, crickets, grasshoppers, mealworms, and waxworms. | ||
#*Earthworms, blackworms, snails, clams, small frogs, and tadpoles are acceptable mollusks, worms, and amphibians to feed your pet turtle. | #*Earthworms, blackworms, snails, clams, small frogs, and tadpoles are acceptable mollusks, worms, and amphibians to feed your pet turtle. | ||
