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How to Care for Your Pet Turtle
Owning a turtle can be more work than
you'd think. While they will not be begging for a walk
in the middle of a snowstorm or scratching your furniture,
turtles require specialized care for optimum health
and enjoyment.
WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THEIR CARE?
Owning a turtle or tortoise should not
be taken lightly. The cost of setting up a proper habitation
and providing special food and health care can be quite
high. The fact that they can live for decades further
increases the commitment required.
Some turtles and tortoises will require
outside habitations. They will need secure fencing that
both protects them from predators and prevents them
from escaping. Indoor habitats will require a special
set up with heat and water and be of considerable size.
They will also need thorough cleaning from time to time.
Your turtle will require a diet of fresh
food and supplements to keep in optimum health. Owners
should also learn to watch for injuries that need attention
or other signs of ill health.
LEARN TO HIBERNATE YOUR TURTLE
Many species of turtles will need to
go into hibernation and the owner should learn proper
technique for dealing with their hibernating turtle.
Some turtles and tortoises that live
outdoors will naturally go into hibernation by themselves.
You will want to ensure that they have selected a safe
area to remain in for the duration. Protect them from
areas that are subject to flooding and from local animals
like dogs.
Indoor turtles will need artificial
intervention to go into hibernation. You must never
hibernate a sick turtle - keep it warm and active until
it is healthy or it may not survive the hibernation
period.
While owning a turtle is both interesting
and educational, understanding the special requirements
of having a turtle as a pet is necessary when contemplating
ownership. Enjoy the learning experience and share your
enthusiasm with friends and family.
PLAN TO CARE FOR YOUR TURTLE FOR
A LONG TIME
There are strict laws regarding the
selling and trading of turtles. Since it can be difficult
to place your turtle in a new home, should you find
yourself unable to care for it, you must be aware that
it is illegal to release captive turtles into the wild.
Doing so can spread disease and affect
other native turtle species. It will also certainly
cost the turtle its life if it grew up in captivity
and does not have the ability to care for itself on
its own or becomes a victim to natural predators. So
make efforts to understand the care requirements before
acquiring a turtle as a pet and plan to enjoy him or
her for a long time.
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