How to Create a Semi-Aquatic Turtle Habitat

Semi-aquatic turtles need a habitat with separate land and water areas.

Semi-aquatic turtles can live for several decades, so it is important to create a habitat for your pet that is similar to its natural environment. The most crucial aspects of your habitat setup are the separate land and water areas, lighting and heat sources. Once you create the proper habitat for your semi-aquatic turtle, you will be able to keep it comfortable for years to come.

Things You'll Need

• Aquarium (minimum 10 to 20 gallons)
• Pond rock
• Dechlorination drops
• Aquarium water filter
• Submersible aquarium heater
• Full spectrum light
• Dome clamp fixture
• Aquarium thermometer
• Reptile hood lamp
• Aquarium plants and gravel (optional)

Instructions

1. Acquire an aquarium tank. A 10-gallon tank will provide enough space for one turtle; however, your turtle can grow up to 12 inches in diameter, so a 20-gallon tank will give your turtle plenty of room to grow, bask and swim without your having to buy another tank.

2. Place the pond rock inside the tank. Put it on the side of the tank designated as the "land" or "basking" area. The rock must be tall enough to extend above the tank's water level and wide enough for your turtle's entire body to fit on it comfortably.

3. Fill the tank to your desired water level. Refer to the label on the dechlorinator package and add the recommended number of drops to the water.

4. Mount the aquarium water filter to the tank in the designated "water" or "swimming" area. The filter pump must be submerged in water to filter properly; add more water to the tank, if necessary, to accomplish this.

5. Place the submersible heater in the tank and set the temperature. The temperature setting will vary based on the type of semi-aquatic turtle you have; however, a temperature of 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit is generally acceptable for all turtles.

6. Install the thermometer in the tank just below the water line.

7. Screw the full-spectrum light into the dome clamp fixture. Mount the fixture to the top rim of the aquarium 10 to 12 inches above the pond rock.

8. Assemble the reptile hood lamp and mount it to the top rim of the aquarium above the water area.

Tips & Warnings

• You can use an under-gravel filtration system for your habitat by placing gravel on the tank floor in the water area and submerging the filter beneath the gravel.

• Aquarium plants are not required for the habitat; however, they make the tank look like a natural turtle habitat and create a place for your turtle to hide if it feels threatened.

• Make sure the depth of your tank water is not less than the width of your turtle. If the water is too shallow and the turtle flips upside down, it may not be able to flip itself back over and could ultimately drown.

• Semi-aquatic turtles can carry harmful bacteria which may make humans and the turtle sick. To help prevent this, keep your turtle's habitat clean and make sure to wash your hands thoroughly after handling your pet.

References

• Drs. Foster & Smith: Aquatic & Semi-Aquatic Turtle Habitats, How to Create
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: Starting Out with Semi-Aquatic Turtles
• Aquatics Unlimited: Basic Care for Semi-Aquatic Turtles
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: An Overview of Common Semi-Aquatic Turtles

Resources

• Drs. Foster & Smith: Zoo Med PowerSun UV Flood Lamps
• First Tank Guide: Dechlorination: Preparing Your Tap Water for Aquarium Use