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LIFE SPAN:
varies with breed but can be anywhere from 20 to 30 years. Some live twice that long. The 4 inch baby turtle can
grow to 18 inches long and up to one hundred pounds. IT IS ILLEGAL TO OBTAIN A TURTLE LESS THAN
FOUR INCHES IN LENGTH. Never take a turtle out of the wild because it could be a member of an endangered
species.
Turtles
live in or around water. Tortoises live on land and rarely venture into water other than to bathe or drink.
ACTIVITY
LEVEL: Turtles need space to roam around in.
Due to climate factors, most will have to be kept in an indoor enclosure. The absolute MINIMUM space should be three
times the width and five times the length of the turtle. Turtles need to "swim" in shallow,
warm water for 15-20 minutes at least once per week. Most turtle species found in North America hibernate but there
are some exceptions. They are diurnal, that is active during the daytime.
SOCIAL
PATTERNS: Most female turtles or tortoises can be kept alone without problems. Females in a group are usually
not aggressive and tend to congregate. There may be some aggression over nesting territory and/or food, but these spats
are usually short-lived.
Males are quite unhappy
to be kept alone without a female companion, especially during mating season. The most common aggressiveness is with
other males battling over a female.
It is not a good idea to
house turtles or tortoises of different species together.
NORMAL PHYSIOLOGICAL & BEHAVIORAL CHARACTERISTICS:
Turtles require an UVB lamp to help them absorb calcium and a heat lamp to help them regulate body temperature. Temperature
at night should be around 65° F and during the day, 80° F. Direct sun or full spectrum lighting is needed about 14 hours
per day.
Turtles can harbor bacteria, some problematic to humans (salmonella
for example). This requires that the adult turtle soak for 15 to 20 minutes minimum per week and a newborn up to three
months of age soak daily in warm shallow water. For good infection control practice, wash your hands
after handling and do not soak or swim your turtle in tubs that humans will be using.
Turtles need to be provided with high quality pesticide free
food from vegetable and animal sources. Young turtles should be fed daily, older turtles less often and have decreasing
amounts of animal protein.
Turtles develop a routine schedule of eating, sleeping,
sunning, and bathing. They like to dig in soil and cover themselves in leaves.
Adult male turtles should be kept separate because they will
fight. Though usually solitary, groups of females can be kept together. When they are young they are difficult
to sex.
Since turtles do not like to be handled excessively, aren't
cuddly, and present a risk for infection, they are not ideal pets for small children. They are capable of recognizing
their caretaker but it is not clear that they show signs of affection. They are rarely aggressive, choosing instead
to withdraw into their shell. Occasionally they may bite or pinch a finger.
SPAY/NEUTER INFO: not applicable.
MOST COMMON PROBLEMS: Glass sided aquariums are beyond a turtle's comprehension so they beat
themselves against the glass. The substrate that is used as the "flooring of your turtles living quarters must match
his/her species’ normal environment. You cannot safely mix turtles of different species or different sizes.
They must have a way to maintain their body temperature even when your electricity is out. Dogs pose a significant danger
to turtles and tortoises.
VET
CARE: Turtles need "herp "vets that have additional training in reptiles. Baby turtles need to see the
vet every 4-6 months during their first year, and once per year thereafter. To find a herp vet in your area click on
the web site of the Association of Amphibian and Reptile Veterinarians at www.arav.org.
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