Pet turtles are popular pets for many people because they are calm, gentle, and don't shed fur, but turtles can live very long "anywhere from 50 to 100 years".
If you want to keep one of these pet turtles, be Be prepared to provide lifelong care and consider that pet turtles may outlive you if you decide to keep one.
Turtle behavior and temperament
Most pet tortoises are docile and tend to be shy, unless two males are placed in the enclosure with each other, which is not recommended. Male tortoises can become aggressive towards each other and can even attack each other, sometimes resulting in serious injury.
Most pet turtles are too large to handle as adults, and it is advisable not to handle them to any great degree when they are smaller, as this can cause stress to pet
turtles, which often leads to illness if the stressful situation is persistent, and is the biggest handicap for turtles.
The main draw for most people is their longevity, and larger tortoises such as Sulcata can live to be over 70 years old, so you will need to plan for the care of pet tortoises into old age.
Turtle house
Many species of pet tortoises are quite large and need a suitable sized home or habitat, preferably outdoors. Because of these preferred housing arrangements, pet tortoises are best suited to areas with milder climates.
Depending on the temperatures in which the turtles are born and the area in which they live, it may be necessary to bring pet turtles indoors during the night or during
cold weather, and with large turtles providing indoor housing can be a great challenge, and some species also need to hibernate, which They can be very stressful on
turtles and require special environmental conditions. When creating an outdoor habitat, you need to make sure it
is sturdy and that you bury your fences. Pet turtles are very strong, especially large ones, and weak containers that won't last for very long.
Some turtles climb so well that they may require a roofed dwelling, and it is also very important to make sure that their dwelling is away from predators (including dogs), and make sure that there are
no dangers near their dwelling, including poisonous plants, and only provide water Shallow, no sharp objects, no small inedible objects that could be eaten by mistake.
Also for some tortoises, trying to climb or other obstacles can cause them to roll onto their backs which should be avoided.
Most pet tortoises will also need some outdoor shelter such as a kennel (many owners often heat them).
Pet turtles and diet
Pet turtles can make themselves interesting pets although they can present some challenges due to their size and feeding habits. Diets are different for
different species, but all pet turtles need a variety of foods with careful attention to the amount of coarse food, in addition to Calcium and phosphorous in their food.
Some species of pet turtles have voracious appetites and also need a large amount of food. You should consider the time of daily food preparation, and the cost associated with how much food your pet turtle eats before getting one as a pet.
Choose your favorite pet turtle
It is best, as with any type of reptile, to obtain pet turtles from captivity if possible. This is not easy to do for some species, but their hunting and shipping conditions can be appalling and stress them out and they are more susceptible to disease.
New pet turtles in your home should be checked for parasites and quarantined for some time to make sure they are healthy, especially if there are
other turtles around. Some species can be aggressive with other turtles, and if a male couple is kept in a very small dwelling.
This can lead to fighting, and this can lead to potentially serious injuries around the eyes and on the legs.
It is essential to choose the right species of pet turtle based on housing needs, environmental requirements, and diet
requirements. Different types of pet turtles have widely different adult sizes, with different temperatures, diets, and some need to hibernate while others do not. that.
Be sure to research every type of pet turtle you are considering before getting your new pet.
Common turtles include the Russian red-footed turtle, the Sudanese turtle, the Greek turtle and the radiant turtle, but there are also many other pet turtles.
Common pet turtle health problems
Like most reptiles, pet turtles are susceptible to respiratory infections. Pet turtles raised in the wild are more likely to suffer from respiratory infections, which are caused by unsanitary conditions.
Turtles will appear lethargic, lose weight, and can show excess mucus around the mouth. nasal passages, and early signs of a respiratory infection include wheezing and refusal to eat.
Respiratory infections are usually treated with antibiotics given by injection, but this requires a diagnosis from a reptile veterinarian. While pet turtles are undergoing treatment for a respiratory infection, they should be kept warm.
Pet turtles are also susceptible to a motherMetabolic bone disease, which is the result of a diet that does not contain enough calcium, and like
many reptiles, pet turtles need exposure to ultraviolet light to be able to absorb calcium, and turtles in the wild usually feed in the sun for most of their waking hours to get this level from exposure to ultraviolet radiation.
If the pet turtle does not get enough calcium, the shell will show the first signs. If the pet turtle is young, the shell may not grow fast enough. Older turtles may develop weak bones in their legs, have difficulty walking, or even suffer from from bone fractures.
Metabolic bone diseases in pet turtles are treatable, but the longer it goes, the less chance the turtle will have
of regaining health. A qualified veterinarian should be consulted, who will likely advise a calcium-heavy diet with plenty of exposure to sunlight or ultraviolet light.