BASIC INFO
Turtles are wonderful and fascinating animals with 26 species in Australia alone. The Murray short necked turtle is the most common to have as a pet. They can grow up to 30cm and live a long life. In most states, Australian turtles are protected animals, and require a license for having one. Find your state’s legality and requirements, your pet shop or vet can help.
Turtles are wonderful and fascinating animals with 26 species in Australia alone. The Murray short necked turtle is the most common to have as a pet. They can grow up to 30cm and live a long life. In most states, Australian turtles are protected animals, and require a license for having one. Find your state’s legality and requirements, your pet shop or vet can help.
FEEDING
Turtles need to be submerged in water in order to feed - they won’t feed if the water is too cold.
Suitable foods include chopped earthworms, mealworms, or frozen and dry turtle foods which can be bought from pet shops.
Turtles should have access to plant matter, either water weeds or a little lettuce daily is suitable.
Feed baby turtles twice a day during their first summer, and then decrease to once a day. Do not leave food uneaten in the tank as it can foul the water.
Turtles need to be submerged in water in order to feed - they won’t feed if the water is too cold.
Suitable foods include chopped earthworms, mealworms, or frozen and dry turtle foods which can be bought from pet shops.
Turtles should have access to plant matter, either water weeds or a little lettuce daily is suitable.
Feed baby turtles twice a day during their first summer, and then decrease to once a day. Do not leave food uneaten in the tank as it can foul the water.
HOUSING
Turtles are generally kept in glass tanks or aquariums, which makes observation easy. There should be two sections within the turtle’s enclosure: a water section and a landing area or dock.
Water should be provided to a depth of at least 15cm and increased as the turtle grows. The temperature of the water should not exceed 28 degrees Celsius, but cannot be too cold either. The ideal temperature is 22 degrees Celsius.
An incandescent lamp suspended over the tank or an aquatic heater with a thermostat will help achieve this.
A good quality filter is recommended as well as providing calcium blocks to reduce the acidity of the water and help maintain a strong, healthy shell.
Your turtle will need a spot to rest on out of the water, so include a landing dock with a ramp for the turtle to walk up.
Sunlight is necessary for proper bone formation and shell hardening of your turtle. Special fluorescent lights can be used preferably with a UVB rating of at least 5.
The tank should be cleaned regularly to prevent the water from algae and dropping build ups.
25% of the water should be changed weekly as well as pH tests done with the levels between pH >7 to 8.4.
You can decorate your turtle’s enclosure with gravel, wood, rocks and ornaments. Suitable water plants are a great idea as they provide a second food source.
Turtles are generally kept in glass tanks or aquariums, which makes observation easy. There should be two sections within the turtle’s enclosure: a water section and a landing area or dock.
Water should be provided to a depth of at least 15cm and increased as the turtle grows. The temperature of the water should not exceed 28 degrees Celsius, but cannot be too cold either. The ideal temperature is 22 degrees Celsius.
An incandescent lamp suspended over the tank or an aquatic heater with a thermostat will help achieve this.
A good quality filter is recommended as well as providing calcium blocks to reduce the acidity of the water and help maintain a strong, healthy shell.
Your turtle will need a spot to rest on out of the water, so include a landing dock with a ramp for the turtle to walk up.
Sunlight is necessary for proper bone formation and shell hardening of your turtle. Special fluorescent lights can be used preferably with a UVB rating of at least 5.
The tank should be cleaned regularly to prevent the water from algae and dropping build ups.
25% of the water should be changed weekly as well as pH tests done with the levels between pH >7 to 8.4.
You can decorate your turtle’s enclosure with gravel, wood, rocks and ornaments. Suitable water plants are a great idea as they provide a second food source.
HEALTH
Most health problems with turtles result from poor maintenance and hygiene in the tank. It is vital to ensure your turtle’s enclosure is very well kept.
They can suffer from
Shell rot: This happens when a turtle’s shell gets scraped by sharp rocks and water-borne bacteria infects the area.
Metabolic Bone Disease: This can result from not enough calcium in the diet or insufficient exposure to ultraviolet light.
Fungus : This occurs from poor water quality and stress.
Respiratory infections: This can occur if the room temperature changes suddenly. The first sign is that the turtle is blowing bubbles.
If you observe any of these ailments please seek a vet's advice.
Most health problems with turtles result from poor maintenance and hygiene in the tank. It is vital to ensure your turtle’s enclosure is very well kept.
They can suffer from
Shell rot: This happens when a turtle’s shell gets scraped by sharp rocks and water-borne bacteria infects the area.
Metabolic Bone Disease: This can result from not enough calcium in the diet or insufficient exposure to ultraviolet light.
Fungus : This occurs from poor water quality and stress.
Respiratory infections: This can occur if the room temperature changes suddenly. The first sign is that the turtle is blowing bubbles.
If you observe any of these ailments please seek a vet's advice.
Images Credit in order of appearance
https://pethelpful.com/reptiles-amphibians/turtle-names
https://www.angieslist.com/articles/how-take-care-turtle.htm
https://turtletanksetup.com/tote/turtle_tank/
https://www.vetsetgo.com/i-want-to-be-a-vet/meet-a-sea-turtle-veterinarian