The Essential Turtle Owner's Shopping List

Turtles may seem like low-maintenance pets, but they require years, sometimes decades, of specialised care. They also carry salmonella, which can be transmitted to humans. As such, the CDC does not recommend small turtles for children under the age of five, older people, or people with compromised immune systems. If you're still interested in getting a pet turtle, you'll need to determine what kind you want, as the many species require different living environments. You'll also need to consider where you'll keep it, what you'll feed it, and safety precautions.

Enclosure: A turtle tank, aquarium, tub or pond

When it comes to choosing an enclosure for your turtle, you have several options, including a turtle tank, aquarium, tub, or pond. The type of enclosure you choose will depend on the species of turtle you have and the amount of space you have available. It's important to provide your turtle with a comfortable and spacious habitat as they can grow quite large and require a significant amount of space to swim and explore.

Turtle Tank

Turtle tanks are specifically designed enclosures that provide a suitable living space for turtles. They come in various sizes and styles, and you can choose one that best suits the size and species of your turtle. It's important to consider the long-term needs of your turtle, as they can live for several decades and will require a long-term commitment. Therefore, it's generally recommended to purchase a larger tank to accommodate the growth of your turtle. A good rule of thumb is to provide 10 gallons of tank space for each inch of your turtle's length.

Aquarium

Aquariums are another popular option for housing turtles. Glass aquariums are the most common type, as they are easy to clean and allow for side viewing. When choosing an aquarium, it's important to consider the size and species of your turtle, as they will need sufficient space to swim and submerge completely. Additionally, aquariums should be equipped with the necessary accessories, such as a filter, heater, lighting, and basking platform.

Tub

Tubs made of durable materials like polyethylene can also be used as enclosures for aquatic turtles. These tubs provide a designated swimming space and an area to create a dry oasis for your turtle. While tubs may not offer the same visibility as glass tanks, they are sturdy and can be kept outdoors.

Pond

If you have the outdoor space, a pond can be an ideal enclosure for your turtle, providing a natural and spacious environment for them to thrive. Ponds allow turtles to exhibit their natural behaviours and can accommodate multiple turtles. However, it's important to ensure that the pond is properly secured to prevent escape and protected from potential predators.

In conclusion, providing a suitable enclosure for your pet turtle is crucial for their well-being and long-term health. By choosing the appropriate type of enclosure and equipping it with the necessary accessories, you can offer your turtle a comfortable and enriching habitat. Remember to consider the specific needs of your turtle's species and always be prepared to clean and maintain their living space regularly.

Lighting: UVB light and heat

Turtles require very specific conditions to stay happy and healthy. One of the most important aspects is access to the correct heat and lighting. Not maintaining the correct conditions can lead to illness and, in severe cases, death.

Turtles are ectothermic (cold-blooded), so they rely on their environment to regulate their body temperature. In the wild, turtles can easily do this by spending time in the water and then coming onto land to bask in natural sunlight. As a turtle owner, you must replicate these natural conditions by providing a swimming area, a basking area, and the right heat and lighting.

Turtles need to bask in order to dry themselves, warm up, absorb essential nutrients, and regulate their metabolism. Although they spend much of their time in water, turtles need the opportunity to completely dry out. If they can't do this, they will get too cold, and algae and fungus growth can occur on their shell. Basking also allows turtles to absorb UVA and UVB rays, which are essential for healthy development.

Turtles need UVA and UVB light to stay healthy. UVB light helps turtles produce Vitamin D3 and properly metabolize calcium and other nutrients. Turtles lacking the appropriate amount of UVB light can lead to poor shell health and metabolic bone disease. A lack of UVB light over a long period will lead to a turtle's death.

UVA light is believed by some to be less important than UVB light when it comes to turtle care. However, it has been known to help with breeding and activity levels. Also, turtles in the wild would be exposed to UVA rays every day, so if you want to replicate their natural environment as closely as possible, it is recommended that you provide UVA light.

There are many products available that can satisfy a turtle's lighting needs. You will need your basking area to provide two types of light: UVA and UVB radiation, and heat. The basking light must produce the correct temperature at your basking surface, and the UVB bulb must be effective at the installed distance. It is recommended that you place the UVB light over your basking area to ensure your turtle gets the UVB light it needs.

Different bulbs provide different types of light. A basking or heat bulb will produce heat and may also emit beneficial UVA light. A UVB bulb will provide UVB light, which is best emitted by a T-5 fluorescent tube bulb. There is also a 2-in-1 bulb option: a mercury vapour bulb that combines heat and UVB, and also emits UVA light.

It is recommended that you leave the lights on for 8-10 hours a day, turning them off for 10-12 hours. This can be easily achieved by using a timer.

Basking: A site for turtles to thermoregulate

Basking is an essential activity for turtles to stay healthy. In the wild, turtles leave the water during the day to warm up by basking in the sunlight. They also need sunlight to synthesise vitamin D3, which is necessary for them to use calcium and other nutrients properly. Therefore, it is important to provide a basking site for your pet turtle.

A basking site is a dry surface where your turtle can spend time out of the water. This can be a platform made of various materials such as PVC pipes, wood, egg crates, or acrylic. It is important to ensure that the platform is stable and accessible for your turtle to climb onto and spread out on. The basking site should be placed near a UVB lamp to provide the necessary light and heat for your turtle.

The ratio of dry basking area to water in a turtle tank is recommended to be 1:2, so for every one unit of dry basking area, there should be two units of water. This means that if you have a tank that is 30 inches wide, 10 inches should be dedicated to the basking area, and the remaining 20 inches should be water.

When creating a basking site for your turtle, it is important to consider the materials used. Natural and untreated materials such as logs, fallen trees, or driftwood are ideal. If you are using wood, it is important to note that it will eventually decompose, especially if it is submerged or in contact with water. Avoid using treated wood or materials that have been treated with pesticides, as they can be harmful to turtles.

It is also important to provide multiple basking platforms or a large enough platform for your turtle to move around and regulate its body temperature effectively. Turtles in the wild choose basking sites that are ideally positioned in the water to optimise sunlight exposure and are not too far from the shoreline. They feel vulnerable in open water and prefer to be closer to the shoreline when basking.

Turtles are "ectothermic," meaning they cannot maintain a constant body temperature and rely on external sources, such as the sun or a UVB lamp, to regulate it. By providing a basking site, you are helping your turtle maintain its body temperature and stay healthy.

Filtration: Clean water and a good filter

Clean water is critical to a healthy turtle, and it helps to avoid a smelly room. A water filtration system is essential for turtle care. Turtle tank filters can be pricey, but they are a worthwhile investment. A good filter will save you time and money in the long run and can make keeping turtles an enjoyable part of your home.

There are a few different types of filters that are suitable for turtle tanks: canister filters, pond filters, and sump (wet/dry) filters. All of these filters maximize the biological filtration surface area, which is where aerobic bacteria grow to break down solid waste. For most aquatic turtle keepers, a canister filter is the most economical, smallest, and quietest option.

When choosing a filter, it is important to get one that is rated for a minimum of 75 gallons (a flow rate of approximately 265 gallons per hour) for a single juvenile to adult turtle. Then, add a rating of 50 gallons for each additional turtle. These ratings are important because filter recommendations are usually for fish tanks, but turtles are messier and eat more food, resulting in more solid waste.

To maximize the capability of your turtle tank filter, you will need to use filter media with a maximum surface area for the bacteria to colonize. Filter media is any material used to trap debris in your aquarium and grow beneficial bacteria to break down waste. Bio-filter balls, ceramic rings, sponge pads, and filter pads are all examples of filter media and can be used alone or in combination. It is generally recommended to use a filter pad or sponge pad in the early stages to trap larger debris and prevent clogging of the pump.

Biological media should be rinsed of debris every 1-2 months, using unchlorinated water to keep the beneficial bacteria alive. Any damaged or broken-down filter media should be replaced with new media. Activated charcoal can also be added to the filter box to help keep the water clear and eliminate odors, but it must be completely replaced every 1-2 months to remain effective.

The current from the filter outflow should be adjusted to be gentle to moderate, allowing the turtle to rest and sleep in the water without constantly treading water. This can generally be achieved by adjusting a flow control knob on the filter.

Diet: Insects, fish, greens, freeze-dried mealworms

A pet turtle's diet should be based on their species and age, and it's important to consult a veterinarian if you're unsure. Most turtles are either carnivorous or omnivorous.

Young turtles need plenty of protein to make their shells grow strong, so their diet should consist of mostly protein—somewhere in the 70%-80% range. Good sources of protein include insects, fish, and mealworms.

As turtles get older, you should start phasing down the amount of protein in their diet. Adult turtles still need protein, but too much can be detrimental as their shell is mostly grown. Too little leafy greens and too much protein can lead to pyramidding and potentially debilitating deformity. A healthy mix for adult turtles is 50-70% leafy greens and the rest a protein source.

Commercially available freeze-dried mealworms are an excellent food source for turtles, offering the natural nutrition they require. They are preservative and additive-free, helping to keep your turtles healthy. They also have a greater amount of protein compared to live mealworms and are a considerably cheaper alternative.

If you're unsure about what to feed your turtle, consult a veterinarian for advice.

Frequently asked questions