How to Care for an Aquatic Turtle

Aquatic turtles are fun and interesting pets that require special care in order for them to thrive. Parents should think twice about buying one for their small children because of the care involved and the risk of bacterial infection. You can enjoy raising a turtle as a pet if you follow these steps.

Things You'll Need

• Plastic child's pool
• Large flat rocks
• Bucket
• Large aquatic tank (20 gallon minimum)
• Aquarium heater
• UVB light
• Turtle food
• Calcium block

Instructions

Housing

1. Place your hardier slider, cooter or painted aquatic turtle outside in a child's pool half-filled with water. Place large flat logs or rocks in the water in order for the turtle to bask. Ideally tilt the pool so there is a shallow and deep end.

2. Make your pet turtle a home out of an overturned bucket with a door cut in its side. Place the bucket in the water for the turtle to hide and sleep. You can also provide shelter with water plants or a long board.

3. Leave your turtle outside to hibernate through the winter if you live in a mild climate, otherwise bring it inside. You need to insulate your pool and hibernating turtle to make sure it keeps from freezing. Keep at least a foot of water in the pool; pile insulating material (grass, leaves, mulch) around the pool; and loosely cover the pool to keep it dark.

4. Add some fencing around the pool to keep predators away. Dogs and raccoons are threats to your pet turtle.

5. House your indoor turtle in a 20-gallon tank or larger. It needs to have an area of water as deep as your turtle is wide. It also needs a place where the turtle can come out from the water to bask.

6. Use an aquarium heater to keep the temperature between 72 and 85 degrees. A UVB light should also be placed above the tank to simulate the sun. Keep the lights on for 12 hours and then turn them off to simulate a natural day.

Feeding

1. Feed your young pet turtle just about any kind of cooked meat such as chicken or turkey, fish with the bones or tuna. They love live critters such as bugs, worms or small fish. Trout chow or Tetra Reptomin are prepared dry foods you can try.

2. Add a calcium block for him to nibble. This prevents shell softening.

3. Try fruits and vegetables as your turtle gets older. Strawberries, peas, bananas and calcium-rich leaves like romaine or dandelions are good choices. Stay away from iceberg lettuce and spinach.

4. Feed your pet turtles one or two times a day when they are young. As they get older, they only require food every other day. A snack for a begging turtle is always acceptable.

Tips & Warnings

• Turtles have been found to carry Salmonella and other bacteria so it is important to wash your hands before and after handling your turtle. Since 1975 the U.S. has banned the sale of turtles with shells smaller than 4 inches long because of this risk.

Resources

• This website is dedicated to the care of pet turtles.
• Another website for turtle owners to learn about their pets' care.