Turtles are truly wonderful pets. Learning how to care for a pet turtle the right way is certainly worth the time, effort, and money you may spend. Remember, there is no excuse for the premature death of your turtle based on neglect or lack of knowledge. The five tips I’m about to share with you can help you provide a long, healthy, and happy life for your little friend.

Tip One:

Read books, watch videos, and do everything possible to learn as much as you can about your reptilian friend. A turtle’s needs are very specific, and these needs can vary greatly from breed to breed. So make sure you know what kind of turtle you have (tortoise, slider, box, etc.) so that you can provide the best possible pet turtle care to your animal.

Tip Two:

A little elbow grease is required. You must set up your turtle’s tank, acquire the very best type of food for your turtle’s specific breed, and establish go-to veterinary care by simply calling around and finding a vet who has experience with turtles.

Tip Three:

Avoid using water with chlorine. Whether we’re talking about water for drinking or for swimming, it is critical that you use purified water with your turtle. One way to accomplish this is to use regular tap water which has been sitting in (a) seperate container(s) for at least 24 hrs. You can then add it to the tank. Spring water is the ideal, but using the process just explained will work fine.

Tip Four:

It is imperative that you provide your turtle with a mercury vapor UVB heat lamp for basking. This type of lamp will provide your turtle with sufficient amounts of vitamin D3, which prevents bone disease and premature death. Without this lamp, your turtle is in serious trouble, so please do not overlook its importance! Leave the light on for about half of each day.

Tip Five:

It is absolutely essential that your turtle’s tank is within a certain temperature range, usually between 70 degrees (night) and 80 degrees (day)… these temperatures are Fahrenheit. Of course, this can vary depending upon the exact species / breed of your turtle. This is why educating yourself about your particular type of pet is so critical. Purchase a heater that goes under the water and check it periodically to make sure that the temperature is remaining consistent.

Turtles can (and should) live an extremely long time, occasionally even outliving their owner(s)! There is really no excuse for letting your animal die prematurely. Take the time to learn about your turtle. Buy a book or two. This can truly make a huge difference in the length of time that you and your turtle can enjoy together! You will find that it is well worth your small investment of time and money to do things the right way from the beginning.

Turtles make incredible pets. A lot of individuals simply do not realize how much character these animals possess. I commend you on your decision to learn all you can about your pet. That shows that you really care and are committed to being a great turtle owner! Of course, your learning has just begun…

Sadly, lots and lots of pet turtles meet their graves several years before it was their time. They are being killed through neglect and ignorance. I cannot emphasize enough how important it is that you learn all you can about your turtle so that you can both feel good about each other for many years.

Ready to learn pet turtle care the right way? For the sake of your animal, I sure hope so. Go to: Caring For Turtles