Turtles In A Pond: Can They Survive?

Turtles are fascinating creatures that can make great pets, but they are not ideal for young children and require a lot of care. They can be kept in outdoor ponds, but there are some important factors to consider. Firstly, the climate and natural habitat of the turtle species must be taken into account. Some turtles require warmer temperatures, while others can survive outdoors year-round. It is also crucial to have secure fencing around the pond to prevent escape and protect the turtles from predators. The depth of the pond and the availability of a basking area, varied water levels, and hiding spots are also essential considerations.

When it comes to turtle care, it is important to invest in high-quality pond liners, maintain the ideal temperature with pond heaters, and ensure proper oxygenation of the water. Regular cleaning with a pond vacuum is necessary to reduce debris and maintain water quality. Adding plants to the pond can provide interest and additional food sources for the turtles. The size of the pond is crucial, especially if housing multiple turtles, and it should have varying levels of depth to accommodate the preferences of different species.

It is generally recommended to avoid keeping wild turtles as pets due to the potential for disease transmission and the negative impact on their growth and survival. However, if one insists on keeping a wild turtle, it is important to provide a suitable habitat with a large aquarium, water filter, heat lamps, and other accessories.

Pond size

The size of your pond is important when it comes to housing aquatic turtles. If you plan to keep a group of five or more turtles in a pond, then your pond needs to be at least 80 square feet to comfortably accommodate the turtles. Your pond will need varying levels of depth to create shallow areas for your turtle to sit with its body in the water and its head out of the water, as well as deep areas for your turtle to dive. Be sure to do your research about turtle species as some turtles prefer shallow waters while some turtles like red-eared sliders thrive when they can swim in deeper water.

Basking is a huge part of a turtle's lifestyle so make sure your turtle has a place to exit the water and bask on rocks. Fitting the right pond pipe fittings and valves will ensure you have the correct water levels throughout the pond. With an outdoor pond, security is also essential to keep your turtles safe from predators as well as to prevent them from roaming away from the pond. Make sure your pond is enclosed by a wall or fence of at least 2 feet to keep turtles safely enclosed.

Pond depth

The depth of a turtle pond will vary depending on the species of turtle. Red-eared sliders and some other turtles can handle deeper ponds, while some turtles prefer to be in shallower water. Therefore, it is important to consider the natural habitat of the turtle species when planning the depth of the pond.

A pond with varying levels of depth can provide a shallow area for the turtle to sit with its body in the water and its head out of the water, as well as deeper areas for the turtle to dive. It is recommended to have a basking area for the turtle, which can be arranged so that it is partially submerged and the turtle can easily get out of the water onto it. The basking area should receive sunlight for a good portion of the afternoon.

For hibernating turtles, a deeper pond is necessary to provide sufficient oxygen levels in the water. A hibernating turtle needs at least one foot of water that isn't frozen at the bottom of the pond, and a large surface area to facilitate oxygen exchange.

Pond fencing

Fencing is an important aspect of setting up an outdoor pond for your pet turtle. It helps to keep your turtles safe from wild predators and even pets like dogs and cats, which can cause serious harm to your turtles. It also prevents your turtles from wandering too far from the pond.

The fence should be at least two to three times the length of your turtle's carapace and sunk into the ground by 6-10 inches to prevent any chance of escape. Smooth walls made of wood panels are an effective way to keep the turtle inside the enclosure, as turtles can try to go through wire mesh and end up injuring themselves. The fence should be at least 2-3 feet tall and opaque. An electric fence can also be set up to keep larger predators out.

If you have a shallow pond, a wire mesh cover over the enclosure can provide protection from predators like raccoons. However, for larger ponds, it will be impossible to build a wire mesh cover over the entire enclosure. In this case, the pond should be deep enough for the turtle to dive into and escape predators. You can also create a basking spot in the middle of the pond, such as a partially submerged log or an island, to provide an additional escape route.

For a small pond, a good compromise is to build a 2-foot tall fence that goes around the pond. This will provide an additional layer of protection for the turtles in the pond. It is important to avoid using lumber treated with arsenic, such as Chromated Copper Arsenate (CCA), as this could contaminate the turtles' home with chemicals.

DIY Turtle Pond Ideas

• Mini Backyard Turtle Pond: This option is suitable for those with limited space or a smaller budget. It includes a pond and land area for swimming and basking, with lights, a filter system, and plants.
• The Ultimate DIY Outdoor Turtle Pond: This pond is similar to the first one but is larger and includes a waterfall spillway. The setup, design, and installation are simple, making it a good choice for larger turtles.
• Backyard Turtle Pond: This turtle pond has a simple design and includes a large tub placed into the ground, with plants, logs, and rocks added to keep costs low. The fencing should be high enough to prevent the turtles from climbing out, and it should also be dug into the ground to prevent them from digging their way out.
• DIY Turtle Pond Heaven: This pond does not use a tub, allowing for flexibility in size. A plastic liner and peat moss are used to cover the hole, and wooden panels are used to prevent the turtles from escaping. This option can be quite costly due to the size of the pond.
• Above Ground DIY Turtle Pond: This option involves building up instead of digging down. Free wood pallets are used as a base, and wood planks are added to the sides to reach the desired height. A plastic liner is then added to hold water, and natural items such as plants and fish are added to the pond.
• DIY Cheap Above Ground Turtle Pond: This above-ground pond looks professionally made but can be built for less than $200. Scrap wood is used for the base and sides, and a plastic liner is added to hold water. A wire mesh is placed over the top to keep turtles safe from predators and prevent them from escaping, while still allowing sunlight and oxygen into the pond.

Turtle diet

The diet of a turtle depends on its species, size, age, and habitat. Generally, turtles are omnivores, consuming both meat and plants. However, some species are primarily carnivorous, while others are herbivores.

For turtles that are kept as pets, it is important to provide a varied diet, as they can get bored and stop eating if fed the same food repeatedly. Additionally, an improper diet is the most common cause of health issues in captive aquatic turtles.

Animal-Based Foods

Animal-based foods for turtles can include processed pet foods like drained sardines, trout chow, and turtle pellets. Pelleted foods come in various sizes, with larger pellets tending to float and attract larger turtles, while smaller pellets sink quickly and are preferred by juveniles. Some veterinarian-recommended brands include Flukers®, Mazuri®, and ZooMed®.

Feeding live prey to your turtle can provide mental stimulation and exercise. Suitable live food options include moths, crickets, shrimp, krill, feeder fish, and worms. It is important to ensure that any insects fed to the turtle are sourced from a pet store, an undeveloped field, or raised at home to guarantee quality and safety.

Aquatic turtles in the wild eat fish, and "feeder fish" can be purchased from pet stores or bait shops. Goldfish, guppies, and minnows are suitable options, depending on the size of the turtle. Feeding live fish provides mental stimulation and exercise for the turtle as it chases and catches its meal. Fish are also a good source of calcium for turtles if they are consumed bones and all. However, feeder fish have been known to carry parasites and bacteria that can infect turtles, so they should only be given infrequently.

Other fish, such as smelt and mackerel, which are high in fat, should be fed sparingly or avoided altogether, as they can disrupt nutritional balance and lead to vitamin E deficiencies. A predominantly fish-based diet can also result in thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency, so fish should only comprise a small portion of a turtle's diet.

Raw meat, fish, or chicken from grocery stores is not recommended as it does not provide the ideal balance of calcium and phosphorus for turtles. The carnivorous portion of a turtle's diet should constitute no more than two-thirds for juveniles and about half for adults.

Plant-Based Foods

Plant-based foods for turtles should primarily consist of leafy greens such as collards, dandelions, mustard greens, romaine lettuce, Swiss chard, kale, parsley, green beans, and clover. It is important to avoid vegetables with low nutritional value, like iceberg or head lettuce, which are mostly water and provide little nutritional benefit.

Some vegetables, such as chives, parsley, and spinach, contain high levels of oxalates, which should be avoided.

Fruits can also be included in a turtle's diet, with options such as apples, cantaloupe, bananas, berries, and mangoes. Non-toxic aquatic plants like water hyacinth, water lettuce, and duckweed are also suitable and can be left in the water for the turtle to nibble on throughout the day.

Feeding Frequency and Portion Size

The frequency of feeding depends on the age and size of the turtle. Smaller or juvenile turtles will typically eat heartily every day, while adult turtles may be fed a substantial portion every two to three days.

As a general rule, especially for pellets and other non-living foods, it is recommended to only allow the turtle to eat as much as it can within about 20 minutes, after which any leftover food should be removed.

Hygiene

Turtles often defecate while they eat, so keeping their food in a separate container can help prevent them from accidentally consuming faeces. It is important to clean any uneaten food from their tank regularly to prevent the growth of unwanted bacteria and algae.

Turtle hibernation

Hibernation in turtles is a tricky process and can be risky, so it is important to be well-informed before attempting to hibernate your pet turtle. Firstly, it is crucial to ensure your turtle is healthy and strong, and that it has been in the pond since at least mid-summer to allow it to adjust to the changing seasons. Turtles should be older than six months before hibernating, and as the weather cools, they will eat less and less, which is normal.

Turtles are ectotherms, meaning their body temperature matches that of their environment. As the temperature drops, their metabolism slows down, reducing their energy and oxygen needs. Turtles can absorb oxygen from water through their skin, specifically the blood-vessel-dense area around their cloaca (cloacal respiration). This process only works in cold water, and in warmer temperatures, turtles can drown if they remain underwater for too long.

To hibernate, turtles need a deep pond with a large surface area to provide sufficient oxygen levels. The pond should have at least a foot of water that doesn't freeze at the bottom, and the water temperature should be around 50 degrees Fahrenheit. You can use a pump or air pump to increase oxygen levels, and submersible heaters to maintain the right temperature. Turtles also need something at the bottom of the pond, such as a layer of leaves or sand, to dig into for hibernation.

During hibernation, turtles rely on stored energy, and their bodies produce lactic acid, which can be dangerous if it builds up for too long. Some turtles, like snapping turtles and painted turtles, can tolerate this by switching their metabolism to one that doesn't require oxygen, and by neutralizing the acid with chemicals from their shells and skeletons.

In spring, when turtles emerge from hibernation, they are lethargic and vulnerable to predators, so it is important to ensure they have a safe space to bask in the sun and raise their body temperature.

Frequently asked questions