Discover the expert in you.
Discover the expert in you.
Pancake tortoises (Malacochersus tornieri) are unusual little tortoises native to Kenya and Tanzania. In their home range, pancake tortoises live on rocky outcrops, termed kopjes, where they use the deep rock crevices to thermoregulate and hide from predators. Most turtle species' shells are highly domed and made of platelike bones that fit edge-to-edge, but pancake tortoises have flat shells with numerous gaps between the bones of the carapace.
Rather than providing the bare minimum for a turtle to live, strive to give your pet the most luxurious accommodations possible. Providing the ultimate turtle habitat will require significant space, money and time to create, but your pet will be happy, and you will be proud of the results. Though the specifics of providing a perfect environment will vary from species to species, most will focus on providing ample space, ideal husbandry and habitat enrichment.
Soft-shelled turtles belong to the family Trionychidae, which comprises around 25 species. Coloration varies widely among soft-shell turtles; besides green, you can find brown, gray, white and even black. They are mostly aquatic creatures; their natural habitats include ponds, rivers, streams and lakes. They like to spend most of their time buried in the sand or mud at the bottom, but they will occasionally pop to the surface to bask for a while. They tend to be shy around humans, and they may get aggressive at times, which is why it is best to keep them alone or in pairs.…
Sculpture is an art form in which objects are made through carving, casting or other shaping techniques. While sculptures are traditionally made from wood, marble or clay, they can also be made from animal bones or turtle shells. When done correctly, a sculpted turtle shell ribbon will be a beautiful keepsake that can be passed down for decades.
Steel flanges offer a way to secure metal pipe and prevent leaks and other damage. Choosing the right metal flange and other metal fittings is dependent upon what type of substance flows through the piping system. A steel flange called a long weld neck flange is designed to offer extra support and safety in certain high-pressure areas found in residential, commercial and industrial piping systems.
Galapagos giant tortoises, known by the Latin name Geochelone elephantopus, or Geochelone nigra, are found only on the Galapagos Islands. Before being depleted by 19th century whalers and pirates, the tortoises lived on most of the islands. The terrestrial, or land-dwelling, turtles have two general shell morphologies. They are known as the dome-shaped and saddleback types. An intermediate form also exists. The dome-shaped tortoises are the largest type, with males reaching 700 pounds and females up to 400 pounds.
A turtle kept as a pet requires a cage that will provide it with a place to sleep and access to food and water. The turtle also requires temperature control and enough room to move. Build the necessary components into a nesting box so that a turtle can be kept safely and live healthfully. Supplies from a hardware store will be needed, as will tools from around the home to make the nesting box into a Turtle aquarium.
Tortoises often make excellent pets for reptile enthusiasts because they tend to be docile and easy care for once their habitat has been established properly. One of the most natural ways to keep a tortoise is in an outdoor enclosure. If your tortoise requires environmental conditions that are similar to those where you live, your tortoise will be comfortable outside. However, precautions must be taken to ensure that the tortoise has everything it needs to remain healthy.
The turtles officially known as “green turtles,”Chelonia mydas, are marine turtles. This endangered species does not make a suitable pet, even in the unlikely event that you had the facilities. However, several different freshwater turtles in the pet trade have distinctive green shells. The green-shelled pet turtles you may encounter include the red-eared slider, or Chrysemys scripta, or one of the painted turtles, such as the eastern painted turtle, Chrysemys picta.
Box turtles are primarily outdoor creatures that like to explore their habitat. Building your own box turtle pen requires you to create an environment that is safe, while at the same time provides sunlight, shade, a variety of terrain and fresh water. You can build your own box turtle pen with some common home improvement store supplies. The time it takes to construct will depend on how large of a pen you make and how detailed you make the interior of the pen.
Because land tortoises need a large indoor or outdoor cage or pen rather than a tank, maintaining the correct humidity is not as straightforward as it is for smaller reptiles. You can’t do much to alter the humidity in an outdoor pen, apart from providing vegetation and plenty of water. However, it is possible to raise the humidity of an indoor enclosure.
Tortoises can make great pets, but before you take on a tortoise as a petyou have you have to have the proper habitat for it. Most tortoises are kept in an outdoor habitat, and they generally do not make very good indoor pets. There are also a number of species-specific environmental considerations to be made, which will depend on your species of tortoise. Generally, however, creating a safe and pleasing environment for your tortoise is a doable project.
The false map turtle is a medium-sized, mainly aquatic reptile native to the U.S. It grows between 5 to 10 inches in length and has a broad, flattened, dark brown shell. It is not a common aquatic pet, as the species is endangered in some areas, but it can be kept in some states and is considered a good species for beginners.
If you are a first time tortoise keeper, the red-foot tortoise may be an apt pet for you. This is a hardy animal and if you look after it well, you will have a pet for the rest of your life. Usually, a hatchling will grow to around 14 inches (35 cm) in length, but at times it can grow more than 16 inches. You can easily keep the tortoise indoors if you live in a place that is cold most of the year.
The forest hingeback tortoise (Scientific name: Kinixys erosa), naturally found in forests in Africa, needs a more specific habitat to become healthy. The two most important things to monitor when taking care of these pets is the enclosure’s temperature and its diet. With the right combination of food and proper environment, you can take care of this pet without any hassle.
Desert tortoises have some distinguishing features that separate them from regular tortoises. Draw desert tortoises with help from an artist in this free video clip.
While exploring the Kaya Forest area of Nabooti Island in "Poptropica," you encounter a tortoise that blocks your access to a buried treasure. Trying to move the tortoise by hand will just result in the shell rocking back and forth, so you will have to do something more drastic to get to the treasure. The solution to this problem lies in two other areas, where you must gather the items that enable you to move the tortoise and dig up the treasure.
When you go away from home, it's natural to worry about your pets. Yellow bellied slider turtles can easily go for a few days without attention. As long as the temperatures are kept consistent and the water is clean, they will be fine. With a few preparations, pet turtles may not even notice your absence. If you are going to be gone longer, it's best to make some arrangements for someone else to check on them occasionally.
The Florida redbelly turtle, also referred to as the red-bellied cooter, originates in Florida and southern Georgia in any type of aquatic habitat and lives on a mostly herbivorous diet. Redbelly turtles are often found basking in the sun on logs. Their name derives from their red-tinted plastron or belly. These reptiles are popular pets, but properly caring for your redbelly turtle is important to achieve optimal health.
Helping hatch a turtle egg can be a rewarding experience. As with hatching most animals from an egg, it is important to follow steps in an organized and careful manner. There are many things that need to be within a certain range for a turtle egg to hatch, so make sure to keep working at it.
Geochelone carbonaria, also known as the red-footed or red-legged tortoise, is a colorful South American species. One of the most colorful of all tortoises, it is a medium-sized species that is often kept as an exotic pet. Being a tropical species, red-legged tortoises can be a challenge to care for properly, but for devoted owners they can be rewarding pets.
The cold, damp winter months call for warm clothing and protected necks. Turtle necks offer that warmth and comfort, but they also lack versatility. Alternatively, cardigans can be layered over dresses, blouses and casual wear with ease. We all have those latent turtle necks cowering in the corners of our closets. With a few sewing techniques and a bit of creativity that old turtle neck can be transformed into a voluminous and comforting cardigan.
Tortoises date back to prehistoric periods of Earth. These shelled creatures live longer than most animals and inhabit extreme environments such as deserts and tropical islands. Many tortoises are herbivorous, although still deadly to small invertebrates and their own species. Many tortoises are on the endangered species list and require vigilance by environmental watch communities to ensure preservation. In addition, keeping a tortoise as a pet requires necessary attention, because not all species enjoy salad lettuce for dinner.
Elementary school students can learn about sea turtles by devoting class time to projects on their life cycle. Sea turtles are an endangered species, so teaching students about their breeding and nesting habits can also provide awareness of why these creatures are endangered. Students can visit nearby nesting sights, track a live sea turtle, write and perform plays or create comic strips that demonstrate their understanding of the turtle’s life cycle.
Tortoises, which are different from turtles because they are a land-dwelling species, are easily identified by their shells -- called the carapace. The carapace allows them to retract their legs and head and avoid predator attacks, just like turtles. There is only one species of tortoise in Florida, called the gopher tortoise.
In the U.S., the type of terrapin turtle that is commonly used as a pet is the diamondback terrapin. This species of turtle is unique because it is the only species of turtle in North America to spend its life in brackish waters. Brackish water is water that has salt in it, but not as much salt as seawater. In the wild, they are found on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, and can be identified by the diamond shape markings or grooves on the top of their outer shell.
The red ear slider turtle, also known as red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans), is a good turtle for beginners. They are a medium-sized species that is quite hardy. They do require a fair amount of room, so adequate planning is required before bringing one home. The red ear slider is not endangered and in fact is quite plentiful on the market, so you should not try to breed them unless you have a specific reason to do so. They key to successful breeding is having the proper habitats established to meet the needs of your young turtles.
Diamondback turtles, scientifically known as Malaclemys terrapin, are known for their distinctive markings, which make them more beautiful and vibrant compared to other turtles that are native to the United States. If you own a diamondback turtle, you will definitely want to know what to feed it so that its nutritional needs are met and your pet turtle remains in premium health.
Pet turtles can live in any room of your house as long as they have the proper enclosure. The turtle needs enough space to move around, lighting, clean water and fresh food. Semi-aquatic turtles need both land and water areas in their enclosures, while terrestrial turtles require a large amount of dry space, and must be kept at the proper temperatures. You can set up a turtle enclosure in a child's bedroom if it suits all of the animal's needs, but you must make sure and do it properly or else the turtle's health could suffer.
"The Tortoise and the Hare," an Aesop's Fables tale, has been popular among children for thousands of years. It's moral lesson about persistence paying off. In addition to reading the tale to youngsters, it's fun to incorporate a hands-on activity or craft. A craft after a story reading can help children better understand the lesson while making an artistic creation.
Aquatic turtles require habitats offering terrestrial and aquatic areas. Turtles enjoy rocks, sand and plants within their habitats. Turtles are not as clean as fish within an aquarium, however, so appropriate filters are necessary. Turtle caregivers may argue as to which filter is the best option for aquatic turtles. Dirty water problems can be solved with internal foam canister filters, under gravel filters, power filters, or canister and under gravel filters used in conjunction.
Tortoise enclosures come in two general types: indoor or outdoor. No matter where the cage is, the basic elements of cage material, lighting, heating, ground substrate and presence of a sunning or burrowing (egg-laying) area should all be present. Aside from these, the cage should also have bathing, drinking, feeding and supplementary hurdling points. The cage itself can be made of various elements.
Land box turtles are unique from other turtles, in that they're terrestrial inhabitants. These turtles make interesting and low-maintenance pets. There are several different varieties of land box turtles existing around the world. The lifespan of these omnivorous turtles ranges from 32 years to up to 70 years. By observing the physical patterns on its shell, you can determine the approximate age of a land box turtle.
All seven sea turtle species are being poached for their eggs, shells and meat. The leatherback, the largest of all the species; green; loggerhead; hawksbill; olive ridley; kemp's ridley; and flatback sea turtles are all listed under the Endangered Species Act. Sea turtles, the mythological symbol of longevity, predate the dinosaurs, yet today these marine turtles are at risk.
Turtles may not wag their tails and lick your face, and they may not purr when they are stroked or chase a string to entertain you; but they also won't keep you up barking, claw up the furniture or bite the neighbor kids and invite a lawsuit. They can be interesting and likable pets. Turtles can be relatively happy in captivity provided you are willing to make an effort to build them a decent habitat.
Giant tortoises, also known as Galapagos tortoises, inhabit the 19-island chain of Galapagos, off the coast of South America. The extreme isolation of the Galapagos Islands resulted in the development of a variety of unusual species of plants and animals, including the giant tortoise. There are similarities and differences between the giant tortoises that once inhabited the various islands or continue to inhabit them.
Turtles and tortoises have some differences -- size and habitat preference -- but share common tastes in their diets. The majority of turtles and tortoises lack teeth, but they chew their food since their mouths have sharp edges. Some of these reptiles are strictly carnivorous (meat-eaters) or herbivorous (plant-eaters), but most turtles and tortoises are omnivorous (eat meat and plants). A turtle and tortoise's habitat also heavily influences what food it consumes.
The gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) is known as a "keystone species." This means that many other species depend on the gopher tortoise for their shelter -- and even for their survival. This is mainly because the gopher tortoise digs large burrows in its habitat, which it shares with many other species.
Officially, there is no such thing as a miniature turtle. However, some turtles will remain small, less than 5 or 6 inches long, making them easier to keep than their larger brethren. The most popular and easy to manage of these is the musk turtle. These aquatic turtles are fascinating to own, but many people buy them on a whim without really knowing how to care for them properly. With the proper habitat and diet, however, they are great pets, although owners must remember that turtles carry disease so they are not appropriate for small children.
A turtle can live for 50 years in the proper environment. This reptile does not like to be held or played with, and will prefer to stay in its tank. To keep your turtle alive and happy, provide it with adequate nutrition and a healthy home. If your tank isn't clean, then your turtle is at risk of conditions like shell rot. Without treatment, shell rot can get into your turtle's bloodstream and be fatal.
Many animal lovers choose to own pet turtles for their ascetic beauty and relative low maintenance. Often however, pet turtle owners worry if their turtle is receiving enough nutrition to ensure a healthy life. Learning the feeding habits of turtles can be done by anyone and will ensure the physical and mental health of your turtle for years to come.
A turtle's shell comes in two parts: the upper portion, or the carapace, and the bottom portion, called the plastron. The shell is made of fused bones and is covered in keratin, which is what makes up human finger nails. The keratine forms shields or scutes on the turtle's shell. A turtle's shell provides protection, safety and shelter for the turtle, which is why shell health is so crucial. One danger to turtles is when their shell starts to soften, which is also know as Metabolic Bone Disease and can be particularly dangerous to baby turtles.
The Reeve's turtle is becoming a popular pet in America, and can live to be 50 years old. This reptile is native to China and Korea but is now being found in different areas around the planet. Caring for a Reeve's turtle is similar to caring for other aquatic turtles. They are omnivores, so with a mixture of food options you can keep your Reeve's turtle happy and healthy.
Several tortoise species require the safety of a burrow to adapt to life in captivity. Tortoise burrows are an essential part of any outdoor environment since they provide a secure place for a tortoise to escape the heat of the day, hide from inclement weather and avoid potential predators. Tortoises are not picky when it comes to using a burrow, and you can easily construct one in their outdoor environment using simple materials.
The African helmeted turtle is the most common turtle species found south of the Saharan Desert in Africa. In the wild, this hardy turtle is found in marshes and creeks during the rainy season and in mud holes during the dry season. The African helmeted turtle makes a fine beginner pet. Easy to tame, quick to feed and small in stature, this turtle is an ideal pet for kids or adults.
You can design a sea turtle in Illustrator to help you create scenes taking place underwater, and to visually communicate the idea of this aquatic reptile. You will be able to enlarge the turtle you produce from this project to any size without loss of quality, in contrast to an image you can produce with a program such as Paint or Photoshop. Illustrator's vector graphics make this enlargement possible. Such graphics store images not as data, but as a series of instructions indicating how a program should render the image.
Box turtles, one of the most popular reptile pets, have a movable hinge on their lower shell that allows them to retract and close up so completely that no flesh is exposed. With proper care, the box turtle can live 30 to 40 years and more. However, they are also the most neglected pets in captivity, according to the Hudson Road Animal Hospital. Knowing what not to feed is as important as knowing what to feed the box turtle. Also keep in mind that there are different types of box turtles with different nutritional needs.
Given the proper outdoor environment, American box turtles and aquatic turtles, such as red-eared sliders and cooters, will lay viable eggs, and when inclimate weather comes, those hatchlings need a suitable place to overwinter. Similar to mammalian hibernation, brumation in turtles is the hibernation-like state that reptiles utilize when temperatures drop, resulting in a lowered body metabolism rate. While baby turtles kept indoors in temperature-regulated tanks or enclosures will not brumate, small turtles living outside need special environmental conditions and care to ensure they'll safely hibernate until warmer weather arrives.
A healthy female Russian tortoise will lay one to five eggs at a time twice a year. The first mating will occur about 6-8 weeks after the hibernation period. The female tortoise will become restless with a decreased appetite and the male will become more active and ready to mate. The eggs can be found buried about 1 to 2 inches below the ground in a nest or sandy area. If you're careful handling the eggs during the transfer, caring for them is simple.
The Mississippi mud turtle is a subspecies of the eastern mud turtle, a freshwater turtle that spends considerable time on land. Though under increasing pressure from habitat destruction, the species continues to thrive in much of the eastern United States. They are also fairly popular pets, though they can prove difficult to care for in captivity. If your Mississippi mud turtle lays eggs, they require incubation in a high-humidity egg incubator in order to hatch into healthy babies.
