Pet Turtles

Turtles can be fascinating animals to keep as pets.
There are 3 groups of turtles:
Turtles generally spend most of their time in the water. Sea turtles have flipper-like legs.
Tortoises spend most of their time on the land. Their legs and feet are very club-like, with claws.
There are also terrapins, which spend equal amount of time on land and in the water.

Before purchasing, of course as with any pet ownership, do your homework on the pet first. Decide what type of turtle would most suit, whether it be an indoor or outdoor one, and also to be considered are the laws and regulations in your country on the transportation and housing of such an animal.

Housing
To house a turtle indoors: A turtle up to 10 cm in diameter can live in a 60x30x30cm tank. The water needs to be deep enough so the turtle can swim completely underwater, and a land area needs to be big enough so it can walk about. The land area can be sand or gravel packed at one end, with a brick or rock holding it in place. A light with a special bulb from the pet shop should hang 10cm above the land, so that the turtle can bask in the 'sun'. In the wild, sunlight helps keep a turtle's shell hard and healthy. Water needs to be kept around 22-25ºC so a water heater will be useful. Keep the tank clean.

To house a turtle outside: you need a fenced area about 4m x 2m. The fence should be smooth (e.g. fibro cement or corrogated iron) and go about 30cm into the ground. Turtles can dig, and they can get hurt on chicken wire. There should be a pond, at least 2m square and over 30cm deep, and easy to clean. It should have sloping sides and a large rock or log so the turtle can climb in and out of the water. The land surface can be gravel or grass, and there should be some shelter such as a bush, or some rocks or logs. From April to about September, turtles will be inactive and spend time buried under shelter or in mud at the bottom of the pond.

Feeding
Turtles are carnivores, though they will eat plants as well. They will eat raw fish, yabbies, shrimp and worms. They will also eat mosquito larvae and other insects they find in the water. They only feed in the water. Calcium is important for turtles and can be provided by putting a small hard block of Plaster of Paris in the water so it dissolves gradually, releasing calcium.

Turtles should be fed in water that is about 23-30ºC. Cooler or warmer temperatures can result in digestion problems. Feed about 10 bite-sized pieces once or twice a week. You can buy commercial dry food or crickets. Meat that you buy from the butcher or supermarket can be too fatty and doesn't give many nutrients to a turtle.

Buying your turtle
Make sure the turtle is active, with bright eyes. It should pull back its head if touched. There should be no mucus coming from the nose or mouth and there should be no white or soft spots on the shell or skin.
source:www.kidcyber.com.au