Purchasing Pet Turtles And Their Proper Care

Purchasing pet turtles doesn’t just mean getting one from a pet store and then placing it in a bowl of rocks and water. As with all pets, pet turtles need some level of commitment. Let’s talk more about owning and caring for your new turtle.

Purchasing pet turtles isn’t as simple as it seems. There are actually many types of turtles available for you to choose from. The question is which ones might suit your household and personal preferences best. The common types of pet turtles for first-time owners of pet turtles include box turtles, slider turtles and painted turtles.

Box turtles are some of the most popular types of turtles available. They are particularly territorial, so if you plan to own a pet box turtle, it’s best to prepare a living space that is almost identical to its previous habitat. Box turtles can survive on berries, insects and several kinds of food items. They are perfect pets for those who reside in the country, since it would be much simpler to recreate their natural environment.

The next popular pet turtle is the slider turtle. There have been concerns about this particular pet turtle because of the salmonella scare in the 70’s. However in recent years the slider turtle has become more and more popular, and people are also now more aware of the steps in preventing the contraction of salmonella. The slider can grow the length of up to eleven inches! Slider turtles enjoy basking in the sun for long periods of time. They may be given worm cubes, goldfish food sticks s well as vegetables like lettuce. They often start to reduce their consumption of meat as they age.

Painted turtles are also very popular because of their beautiful and colorful patterns on their shells. These kinds of turtles are usually aquatic, and so may need a bit more swimming space. These are quite unique turtles with unique behaviors, and may need a bit more care and attention.

Preparing To Own A Pet Turtle

Before buying a pet turtle, make sure you are ready to take care of it the best you can. Many people tend to neglect their pet turtles, thinking that turtles don’t really need much care. But consider the fact that turtles can easily have health conditions too. For instance, their shells could rot due to fungal infections. Some of them suddenly die because of inadequate amounts of heat, lack of a filtration system, or their hibernation pattern is disturbed!

Remember, turtles aren’t really ideal pets for children. Many make the mistake of buying them for their kids since they may be easy to care for. On the contrary, it takes a lot of care for them. Also, children will really not pay much attention to warnings about Salmonella.

Next, consider the size and life span of the turtle you plan to buy. You need to ask about these, since many do not even know just how large a turtle can get. Research on what type of housing your particular turtle will need. What’s needed may be UV light bulbs, filtration units, the right depth of water, enough platforms for basking and the right temperature. Of course, you will also need to asking about what foods you can and cannot feed the type of turtle you plan to buy.

Choosing A Pet Turtle

First ask yourself what kind of turtle you want. You may refer to the information on types of turtles mentioned earlier. It’s often preferred to buy a pet turtle when they are young, as they’re more able to adapt to your care. Check if a turtle is stressed or weak, as some can be affected by transportation and changing environments. Tough turtles include red-eared sliders, cooters, and mud and musk turtles. If you’re getting a pet turtle from a shelter, make sure to have it checked by a vet for parasites.

Caring for a pet turtle shouldn’t be that complicated. All you need to do is treat them just as you’d treat your other pets. Purchasing pet turtles is quite simple if you are prepared and more knowledgeable of their particular needs.