Aquatic Turtle
(Red-eared / Painted)
What is it about turtles that fascinate us so much? As kids
we would catch them, and then beg our mothers to let us keep them. Kids will
specifically search for them in pet shops. Maybe it’s because turtles are so
different from any other creature on earth. They make wonderful pets for
everyone, as they are easy to care for and live very long lives.
General Diet:
Aquatic turtles are mainly carnivores, so they eat a meat
diet. On the market, commercial pelleted foods are available in our store.
These foods are great to feed turtles as their basic diet.
Vitamins/Supplements:
Reptiles need to have a vitamin/mineral supplement with
calcium and phosphorous. Most commercial foods will have the supplement already
added. If not, a supplement should be sprinkled on the adult’s food items at
every second to third feeding and
more often with very young reptiles. We will be glad to explain how often to
feed and give supplements to your new pet.
Treats/Feeding Tips:
Your turtle will enjoy treats once in a while. These can
include live mealworms, crickets, earthworms, and feeder goldfish. It is best
not to feed your turtle in its home, but in a separate tub that should be used
only for the turtle. Leave the turtle in the tub until it defecates after it
eats. This will keep the turtle’s home much cleaner.
Housing:
Turtles must be four inches or bigger to be sold in the United
States—its is a federal law. A turtle of
this size should be started in a 20-30 gallon tank. The tank should be filled
approximately half-way with water that has water conditioner added before the
turtle is placed in it. The tank should also have an area, such as a platform
with steps, for the turtle to be able to climb out onto easily. A screen can be
used on top along with a light that has a reptile fluorescent bulb. This
special bulb gives off full-spectrum light including UVA and UVB. The UVB is
especially important for these reptiles to get so they can absorb calcium
properly.
The set-up for a turtle must also provide heat. Reptiles are
extotherms, which means that they get their heat from an outside source, unlike
humans. Different areas of the habitat should be at different temperatures, so
reptiles can move around to heat up or cool off. Aquatic turtles are
comfortable with the temperature in their tank water at 76-78 degrees, and this
can be achieved by setting up a submersible heater in the tank. Turtles also
like to bask, so a basking light needs to be placed above the area where they
can get out of the water. The basking area should reach a temperature between
85-90 degrees.
Filtration is also important to keep the turtle’s water
clean. Submersible filters work well as they can be placed under the water and
in the back out of the way. Gravel may be used on the bottom of the tank.
Sanitation/General
Care:
Change 50-100% of the tank water once a week depending on
the size of the tank and the turtle. If there is gravel in the tank, it should
be vacuumed with a gravel vacuum every two to three weeks as needed.
General Maintenance:
Be sure the tank water and the basking area are at the right
temperature at all times, as a chilled reptile will not eat will or at all and
may get sick. Change the reptile full-spectrum light as often as recommended by
the manufacturer, usually every six months to a year. Although the bulb may
still be working, it will lose its potency over a certain period of time and,
for example, may not be giving off enough UVB to be effective for calcium
absorption. Filter cartridges usually need to be changed every 3-4 weeks for
the filter to be effective.
Health Care:
Aquatic turtles are generally very hardy and healthy when
kept in the right conditions. They do not require any yearly checkups or
vaccines. Keep an eye on your pet turtle’s shell, as it should look shiny and
be hard, and make sure its eyes are open and check the body for any signs of
infections periodically.
Special
Section—Handling and Cleaning Precaution:
Reptiles can carry one disease that can be transmitted to
people called slmonellosis. Although it is rare for a reptile to carry this
disease, it is always important to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and
water after you have handled your pet or anything in your pet’s cage. Keep you
pet out of the kitchen area and do not allow very small children to handle any
reptiles. When changing water in the tank, never put your mouth over the siphon
tube to start the siphon. You can fill the tube with water by submersing the
whole tube in the tank then keep one end in the tank water and place a finger
over the other end, pull it out, and place it over a bucket below the tank,
then remove your finger. The water will begin to siphon out.
Supplies Checklist:
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Fish Tank
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Siphon/gravel vacuum
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Screen top
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Gravel (if needed)
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Fluorescent light with reptile UVB bulb
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Platform for climbing out of water
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Heat lamp with basking light
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Vitamin/mineral supplement (if needed)
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Submersible Heater
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Books about Aquatic Turtles
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Water conditioner
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