This Cute Pet

The Pet Turtle
A Basic Guide
Source Herp Hacienda
Pet Turtle.com


Many people think that the Turtle is the perfect pet for young children . It is important to do your research before you make the final decision to purchase one. Turtles live 40 and more years, which is the first sign of a commitment.

A minimal setup for a small turtle consists of:

• 20 gallon aquarium or similar container (a 10 gallon tank is too small!!)
• Some kind of filtration.
• An aquarium heater to heat water to about 82F, depending on turtle.
• A lamp, with a 40-60W incandescent light bulb, installed to warm basking/land area to 85-90 degrees.
• Land area, built from bricks, rocks, wooden boards, rocks, where turtle can easily climb out.

Food will cost 10-20 dollars a month, depending on what you are feeding. An initial setup will cost you at least $50.

Basics
Every turtle tank should have a swim area and a land area. "Swim area" is water deep enough for the turtle to swim. The water must be at least as deep as the turtle's shell is wide, and the area must be big enough for the turtle to swim comfortably.

"Land area" refers to an area above water line, at the minimum big enough for the turtle to sit on. Some of the land area should be heated to about 90F (using a lamp, for example). Some of the land area should be room temperature. Turtles like to have a temperature gradient to choose from. Keep in mind, that a sudden changes in temperature can affect the immune system of reptiles, since they are cold-blooded animals and take longer to adjust to the changes.

Turtles like to have a place where it can bask in the heat of a sun lamp. The ideal temperature for your turtle's habitat depends greatly on the breed, as terrestrial turtles can maintain body heat longer than aquatic turtles.

Cautions.
Most importantly, remember to wash your hands after handling your turtles.

Avoid using tap water for your turtle tank, as chlorine and fluoride are present in tap water.

Experts suggest that you change the water at least once a week completely. You should wash the tank out with a thin bleach solution a few times every year. Adding a strong aquarium filter will reduce the frequency of cleaning.