Thinking About Getting A Turtle? Here Are Some Helpful Tips For A Happy Turtle!
Turtles are certainly magical creatures. Their slow pace and even temperament (most turtles at least) can be a great reminder to chill out and live in the moment. If you are considering taking on a turtle as a pet, here are some interesting things to know that will make sure your turtle lives a long and happy life!
#1 Tank Size and Filtration
Your turtle will need a fair amount of space to be healthy and happy. Also, a turtle's size is directly affected by the size of its environment. So if you want your turtle to grow to its maximum potential, you need to give a lot of space. It is recommended by unusual pet vets to give your turtle an enclosure that is no less than 4ft to 6ft. Once you have acquired a large enough enclosure for your new companion, you will need to set up the turtle tank's filtration system.
If you want your turtle to live its happiest life, while also cutting down on the time and effort it takes to clean their enclosure, it is recommended to install under gravel filters. This method of filtration is highly efficient and provides a greater surface area for the breakdown of nitrogenous waste via bacteria. These filters will require around two to three inches of gravel to operate properly, this method is considered to be an ecologically viable way to filter your turtle's tank. If done correctly, you will only need to clean the gravel with a vacuum around three to four times a year in order to keep the tank clean.
#2 Temperature
Your turtle wants to live in temperatures between 28 and 30 degrees celsius. Keeping the enclosure in that range is paramount and you should keep a thermostatically controlled heater in the tank. You will also want to manually check the temperature on both ends of the tank to make sure your new companion is in the safe temperature range. If your tank is not operating within that range, your turtle will end up with a compromised immune system, risking secondary infection and may also suffer from loss of appetite.
#3 A Balanced Diet is Imperative
You want to keep in mind the type of turtle you have when it comes to diet. Long neck turtles are obligate carnivores whereas short neck turtles are omnivores in nature. Make sure to plant water weeds in a short necked turtle's tank (remove rubber bands before planting as the turtle can eat them and have digestive issues) and an adequate supply of vitamins and minerals. It is recommended to use Wombaroo reptile supplement mixed with hand minced beef heart (this mixture can be made into sausages and frozen, lasting up to 6 months) as well as live "whole foods" such as prawns, feeder fish and crayfish. Please note that you should never place too much live food in the enclosure at one time, as the turtle will gorge itself and any uneaten food will spoil in the tank - moderation is key.
Keep in mind that these are only suggestions for your turtle. For more information on how to give your turtle the happiest life, contacting your local vet directly for more information is definitely recommended!
