Terrapin Turtles As Pets

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Are you considering the purchase of a terrapin turtle?

Do you know if this kind of pet is the right one for you? Here is everything that you need to know about terrapin turtles and taking care of them.

terrapinTurtles and terrapins are different and this fact needs to be taken in consideration when pet purchase comes under consideration. Terrapin turtles are the ones that can be kept as pets. Sea turtles, for example, cannot be held as pets. These ones are large and endangered, living solely in the wild.

Terrapin turtles are the perfect pet for people who lack the time and the resource to take care of a pet like a dog or a cat, for example. They have just a few demands and you will enjoy their company without having to spend too much time on pet care.

Naturally, the terrapin turtle has its specific requirements just like all other kinds of pets. It needs a good habitat and it may require veterinary care. Keep these facts in mind before making a purchase.

If you are considering the selection of terrapin turtles as pets, you should keep in mind that these should never be captured from the wild. This way, you will be affecting the population of terrapin turtles in a negative way. Visit your local pet store and choose one of the terrapins offered for sale there.

You will have to purchase several items that your terrapin will need. The first one is an outdoor turtle enclosure. You should also purchase a plastic tub for keeping the turtle indoors when necessary. Additional products your terrapin will need include a water dish and a food dish. You may choose to decorate its living space, in case you lack a backyard.

Terrapin turtles eat all kinds of fruits, some vegetables, snails and even worms. Make sure you are aware of all the specific foods that terrapins enjoy before buying your pet.

Keep in mind that terrapin turtles are not the best pets for young children. Reptiles are far from cuddly and cute. They need a lot of space and they should be given the chance to live in natural environment. Children will enjoy puppies, cats and fish much more.

The good news is that turtles are long-lived, which means you will be enjoying the company of your pet for a very long period of time. Some species will even be capable of outliving you. If you are having concerns about the number of years a pet will live, you should certainly go for a terrapin turtle.

Research is the key to a successful purchase. Even if you have some idea about turtles, you should find out everything about them in advance. This is the only responsible way to select a pet and to ensure the quality of its life. Being prepared will also help you deal with common diseases and problems that the species is prone to suffering from.

Terrapin turtles are peaceful and gentle creatures. They require less attention than other pets, which makes them perfect for busy individuals. Still, terrapins should be given sufficient space and a natural habitat. Keeping them boxed is far from the best way to enjoy the company of this creature.

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Baby Turtles Are Often Solds As Pets

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Baby Turtles Require Special Care

Baby TurtlesBaby turtles are still very popular as pets. They are absolutely adorable, but you must not be fooled by their small size and the fact that you don’t have to take them out for a walk a couple of times a day. Baby turtles need a lot of special attention and care, and that could take a large chunk out of your free time. When you head out to a pet shop to buy a baby turtle, you must make sure you ask a number of important questions.

If you want to have a baby turtle pet, you need to ask about its exact species. Once you know that, you need to ask about the natural environment in which it lives. Some turtles live in water while others live on land. Finally, you need to know everything there is to know about your turtle’s eating habits. Some turtles are herbivores while others are carnivores, and you really need to know how to feed it.

It is important to know the natural environment of the species, so you can create a space that will make it feel right at home in your living room. To make your baby turtles happy, you need to set up a spacious environment. More often than not you will have to use a fish tank but you need to make sure that the tank is big enough. Your baby turtle will grow and if it an aquatic or semi aquatic species, it will need enough space to swim. Furthermore, you also need to set up a small island, made out of sand or soil, so your baby turtle will have a place to rest. If you have the possibility of keeping your turtle in an outdoors environment, like a back yard, make sure the space is sealed shut. Turtles have the habit of wondering off and hiding in the most unusual places. You should keep that in mind and not leave it unsupervised even if you will keep it inside the house at all times.

Turtles love warmth and light, but you must not overdo it. Adding an underwater heater and a high quality thermostat might prove to be an excellent idea. If you are getting an aquatic turtle, make sure you filter its water and change it frequently. And never make the mistake of using water with chlorine. Spring water or drinking water would be the best solution, provided that you change it frequently.

Baby Turtles Can Become Ill Quickly

In order to grow a healthy and vivacious baby turtle, you need to make sure it has enough space, that it is fed well and that it is clean. If you notice anything wrong with your turtle, you should go to a vet IMMEDIATELY. As baby turtles are infants, they are extremely sensitive and can become ill quickly and if not treated right away their condition can worsen quickly. It is not easy to keep baby turtles as pets, but they are well worth the trouble.

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The Snapping Turtle As A Pet

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The Snapping Turtle

The snapping turtle is a North American turtle. There are two distinct species of snapping turtle. The uniqueness of the common snapping turtle, Chelydra serpentina, is often overlooked simply due to how plentiful the snapping turtle is. With its huge head, ungainly build, outsized tail, and vicious disposition, it presents a memorable picture when found on land. The snapping turtle is a thoroughly aquatic animal, seldom voluntarily leaving the water except to lay its eggs. The eggs are round in shape and have been likened to ping-pong balls. Snapping turtle eggs normally require about three months to hatch, but there have been cases in which the babies have spent the winter within their eggs and emerged during the spring. Baby snapping turtles measure a little over an inch in shell length and adapt themselves readily to an aquarium arrangement with a few inches of water and a couple of rocks. The snapper is neither a swift nor graceful swimmer. The snapping turtle is primarily a bottom-walking species and will make use of the rocks to protrude its head occasionally to obtain air and survey its surroundings. Snapping turtles survive on a diet primarily made up of fish and whatever meat they can find. In captivity as long as the snapping kept on a well-balanced diet, the snapper does not require sunlight or even lighting. Fairly cool water, 65 to 70 degrees, seems to suit it best; it is one of the hardiest turtles in captivity.

snapping turtleThe alligator snapping turtle, Macrochelys lemmincki, is one of the largest fresh-water turtles in existence. A fully grown specimen may have a shell length of over two feet and reach a weight in excess of 200 pounds.

In the wild, snapping turtles are found from southern Canada to Florida and the alligator snapping turtle can be found in the souther United States. The alligator snapping turtle can also now be found in parts of Europe and China due to the pet trade and irresponsible owners letting then loose in the wild.

Both the common and the alligator snappers are ready biters when out of water and are able to inflict considerable damage with their strong jaws. The alligator snapper is not as agile as the common snapper and despite its greater size it is no where near as aggressive and its smaller cousin. Either species may be safely handled by its long tail, held well away from one’s body. No very large snapper should be lifted by the tail though as lifting them by the tail is likely to break the vertebrae in the tail and can actually lead to death.

A Snapping Turtle should be kept alone

Large snapping turtles of either species are very predaceous creatures, and no other animal is safe in an enclosure with them. Both kinds of snappers become quite tame in an aquarium and will grow rapidly if cared for properly. Whole or chopped raw fish with bones included is the best food for the alligator snapper; the shell quickly softens if the animal does not receive an adequate intake of calcium. Though shy by nature, alligator snappers in aquariums will learn to compete with other turtles for any bits of food offered. The ideal arrangement for a snapper is, however, an aquarium or outdoor pool of its own. The two species of snapping turtles resemble each other in appearance, but each is quite distinct and there is no interbreeding in areas where their ranges overlap.

 

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Red Eared Slider Turtles As Pets

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Red Eared Slider (Trachemys scripta elegans)

The most popular pet turtle in the world is the red eared slider. These turtles generally can live from 50 to 70 years in the wild and up to 35 years in captivity, if they survive the first year or so of life. They are very aware of people and their surroundings, but can be shy. Once they are aware that you are associated with food, they will greet you with interest.

Red eared sliders actually are native only to the southern United States but because people have irresponsibly released pet turtles to the wild, they have become an invasive species in areas where they are not native but have been introduced. They often compete with native turtles for food. They are usually found in marshes and ponds and other areas with slow-moving water.

Red Eared SliderNote that in the United States, it is illegal for pet stores to sell a red eared slider that has a carapace (shell) less than 4 inches in diameter. For more information you can go to the CDC website.

Red eared slider turtles are aptly named because of the red patch behind each eyes. This distinguishes them from all other species of turtles in North America. Also, they frequently slide off of rocks or logs very quickly into the water, giving them the second part of their name “sliders”. They can move very fast when they want to.

The top shell on a turtle is called a carapace. The red eared slider turtles have an oval, somewhat flattened carapace. This is especially true of the male. The carapace is usually dark green in colour, coupled with distinctive light and dark markings. The underside or bottom shell is called the plastron. It is yellow with darker and varied patterns. The turtle’s legs, tail and head are green with fine yellow stripes.

The female red eared slider can grow to between 10 and 13 inches in length (25-33 cm) and the male is smaller, growing to about 8 to 10 inches in length (20-25 cm). However, the males have longer, thicker tails and longer front claws than the females.

The red eared slider is a semi-aquatic turtle. They spend most of their time in the water, but like to sun themselves on rocks or logs. They also lay their eggs on land.

Your Red Eared Slider’s Diet

In the wild, red eared slider turtles are good hunters and can be quite effective at capturing their prey. This also makes them rather aggressive around other turtles when food is involved. You need to keep this in mind when feeding them live food so that unnecessary injuries are not incurred. You might want to feed smaller turtles separately. Do not keep too many turtles in one aquarium/terrarium. Older turtles have been known to be cannibalistic and may feed on younger ones.

Red eared slider turtles are omnivorous and eat a variety of foods, but they always eat in the water. Common wild foods are fish, crayfish, crickets, mealworms, aquatic plants and insects. Turtles also require calcium for healthy shells. Many commercial foods contain vitamin and calcium supplements. Younger turtles start out being more carnivorous than adult turtles. As they grow older, turtles become more herbivorous. Having a pet turtle, you may be feeding them store-bought foods as opposed to “live” food. Live food adds more to their quality of life. If you are able to supply them with live food from time to time, this will increase their interest and add to their enjoyment. You can also give them treats occasionally, such as feeder fish.

A varied diet of fresh foods should consist of small amounts of shredded, cooked chicken, fresh raw beef, earthworms, snails and fruits and vegetables such as cucumbers, shredded carrots and carrot tops, green beans, sweet potato, collard greens, shredded apple, grapes, bananas, berries, melons or tomatoes.

Turtles are messy eaters and it is always advisable if you can feed them in a separate dish from their living quarters.

Do Red Eared Slider Turtles Hibernate?

Reptiles, including turtles, do not hibernate. They are less active in the winter and this is called brumation. During this time, they occasionally come to the surface for food or water. Red eared slider turtles  in their natural habitat brumate in the winter months when temperatures fall below 50°F (10°C) at the bottom of marshes or ponds. They have also been found under the banks near slow-moving water or in hollow logs. They will usually stir around early March to the end of April for food. However, if you have red eared sliders indoors, they should not brumate. This is easy to prevent by providing them with light for 12 to 14 hours daily. The temperature of the water in their tank should be around 75-81°F (24-27°C).

Red Eared Slider Mating

In their natural habit, red eared sliders begin mating from the time they rise from brumation and into the summer, from March to July. The mating ritual takes place under water. Young turtles may appear to mate, but they are not mature enough to mate until they are five years old. A male red eared slider will flutter the back of his claws on and around the head and face of a female. If the female is receptive to the male, she will sink to the bottom in the pond or lake for mating. If she is not receptive, she could become aggressive towards the male. The mating process can take from 10 minutes to upwards of ¾ of an hour.

Once the mating process is complete, the female keeps her eggs warm by spending a lot of time basking in the sun. Her diet may change. She might not eat as much. She might only want certain foods. She will lay her eggs sometime between May and early July and can start laying within days to weeks of mating. She can produce between 2 and 30 eggs, which is dependent on her size. About 2 to 3 months after being laid, the eggs will hatch. It is interesting that each egg is about half egg sac and half turtle. The turtle hatches using its egg tooth to break out of the egg. The tooth falls out after the turtle hatches, as this is its sole purpose. The yolk sac that is attached to the baby hatchling provides it with nutrients.

Turtle eggs are fragile in that death can result in several ways. The egg may be damaged or moved enough to allow air into the turtle’s body resulting in death. If an egg is turned upside down, the embryo inside will die because the sac with smother it. If the turtle does not die and reaches term, the action of flipping over will allow air into the body cavity by the yolk and it will die. If water gets into the body cavity before the egg sac is completely absorbed, this can also be fatal. Once the egg is opened, the turtle should not enter the water for about 3 weeks. The opening between the egg sac and the body cavity needs to close and heal on its own once the sac is absorbed.

Anyone considering buying one of these popular turtles as a pet should consider being in this for the long haul as these turtles can live to be 35 years old and become the size of a dinner plate. They should also research and consider carefully the care that is required to keep the turtle happy and healthy. You will have years of enjoyment if you do!

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Posted in Red Eared Sliders, Types of Turtles

Turtle Facts – Detail About Various Varieties Of Turtles

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Some Turtle Facts

Turtle Facts: Sea Turtles
Turtles have been on the earth for thousands of years and their fossils date back to the Traissic period in the beginning of the age of dinosaurs about 200 million years ago. They appeared almost as we know them today at least 150 million years back and have stayed comparatively unchanged down thru the ages.

Turtles vary in size from small ones weighing less than a pound to the giant leatherback sea turtles which can weigh over 2000 pounds.

Some turtles are called tortoises which are characterized by their elephant-like feet and heavy claws. These feet fully lack the webbing of the aquatic variations. Tortoises are quite helpless in water and would really drown if left in deep water for any time period. Other turtles like the box turtle found in parts of the US are land-dwellers but they do swim and have some webbing on the feet.

Sea turtles are absolutely marine and their limbs are essentially flippers with claws.

Turtles are unique among reptiles because their body is encased in a shell. This shell which acts as a protective armor may in part account for their long survival on earth. The shell varies in shape according to the species or way of life of the turtle. Marine turtles have a rather flat one in comparison to the domed-shaped shell of many terrestrial varieties.

The top shell is known as the carapace the lower as the plastron. The horny plates or shields of the carapace and plastron are called scutes these are lacking in the carapace of the softshell turtles.

It is sometimes hard to tell the difference between a male and female turtle particularly when they’re young. Adult males are often smaller in comparison to females and often have a longer tail and a concave turned-in plastron as opposed to the flat or convex turned-out plastron of the female.

Turtles lack teeth but their sexy bill will tear plant and animal matter. Their foods change with the species but turtles are typically omnivorous.

Unlike snakes turtles have moveable eyelids which are closed when they are asleep. External ear openings are covered by a membrane but turtles are keenly aware of ground vibrations.

Turtles are air-breathers and have lungs though respiration is helped in nautical species by the mouth and cloaca posterior opening every one of which like a gill is able to absorb some oxygen from the water. This permits the turtle to stay submerged a very long time without surfacing for air.

All turtles lay their eggs on dry land even sea turtles must come ashore to lay them. This doesn’t suggest that it is very unlikely for a turtle to lay eggs in water. Sadly this is commonly the case with captive samples who either lack the instinct to search out a dry place or because a proper area for digging has not been offered by the owner. If the eggs aren’t removed almost instantly from the water the embryos will drown.

Turtles give no parental care to their eggs or young. The eggs are usually eaten by predators or become victims of the elements like floods and droughts. The young are preyed on or become traffic victims while slowly setting out all alone right after hatching.

Some turtles are noted for longevity and there are records of large tortoises living almost 150 years. Even little species have been known to survive longer than 40 years in captivity.

But in this day of the supremacy of man the longevity of turtles may be a thing of the past. There are only about 250 species of turtles remaining in the world today. Man-made changes in the natural world are happening so rapidly that a species common today could be endangered or extinct tomorrow. The reduction of habitat boggy areas in particular is particularly hard on reptiles and amphibians which unlike some other kinds of wildlife cannot conform to vastly different environment. Pollution is affecting not only the turtles’ habitat but also their food supply. Environmental difficulties if not cured could inside a particularly short time wipe out these interesting creatures. Maybe more awareness of our turtles their wants and where they are found might help to urge a worry for their future welfare.

There are more turtle facts in our types of turtles section.

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Caring For Your Pet – Turtle Food, Water and Enclosures

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Turtle Food

Turtles require a very specific diet and they need a special type of environment to maintain good health and long life. Whenever possible, turtle owners should consult their veterinarian or a knowledgeable reptile owner about the best turtle food and how to care for their turtle. A well-cared for turtle can live for upwards of 50 years or more. Turtles as pets can bring much enjoyment. They are interesting and enjoyable pets for many people.

Cleanliness of their surroundings is imperative. Whenever you have handled your pet turtle, its enclosure or any surface it has touched, you must wash your hands thoroughly with soap and running water. The turtle’s enclosure should be disinfected appropriately with a solution of 10% household bleach from time to time.
Along with this, the same care and attention needs to be paid to the turtle’s environment. Never wash the turtle or anything it may have come in contact with in your kitchen or an area where you prepare food.
Turtles are native to all continents except Antarctica, and they are never found far from water which is usually fresh, although some turtles live in tidal estuaries or brackish swamps. In captivity, clean water should always be used. An aquarium is essential for turtles. You need the biggest tank you can buy. You can figure on 10 gallons for every inch of shell. Years ago, small turtle dishes were sold which were completely inappropriate for turtles. The water depth should be about twice the height of the turtle. De-chlorinated water is best for use in the tank and fresh spring water for the turtle’s drinking water.

You need a good filter as turtles are very messy. You should get a filter for twice or more the gallon size of your tank.

An aquarium thermometer should be used to check the water temperature regularly. It can be attached to the outside of the tank and giving a reading based on heat transmitted through the glass on the side of the tank. Should the temperature drop below 18°C (65°F), the water will need to be reheated. You should have a submersible heater to maintain water temperatures in the low to mid 20s°C (mid to high 70s°F). Because turtles are cold-blooded, any sudden change in temperature may cause stress in the animal. It is important not to grab your turtle from the water or from sunning to whisk it away to show off or play with it. Their bodies cannot tolerate these sudden temperature changes.

You need a heat or basking lamp. This can be a clamp lamp – an inexpensive one from a hardware store and a household light bulb. You need a UVA/UVB light in the aquarium (10% UVB is ideal). Turtles need enclosures that have regular UV light exposure. They suffer from soft shell syndrome if the UV light is not provided. They need about 12 hours of light a day.
The UVB is necessary for the absorption of calcium and vitamin D3, which turtles need to maintain strong bones and shells.

You should not use gravel at all! Turtles can and will eat gravel, which is not good for them. You may use substrate or rocks bigger than the turtle’s head, but it is totally unnecessary. If you wish to use decorations or plants, use real ones only. Check to make sure they are not toxic to the turtle. This provides a place to hide and may reduce stress. However, it is necessary to provide a large stone as an area for basking. The stone should slope gently into the water and be placed in such a way that it cannot be dislodged by the turtle and cause injury. You can also use a log, a platform, a dock or a ramp as long as the turtle can fit on it comfortably and get out of the water from time to time.

Turtle Food

turtle foodturtle food
What do turtles eat? They are omnivorous and so they eat a wide variety of foods from lettuce to crickets. Turtle Food Pellets provide many benefits and can be supplemented with fruit, vegetables and live food. You can give the turtle vitamin and calcium supplements once a week. You can do this in the form of a Vitamin Bath. If you feed your turtle food pellets, you can immerse the turtle food pellets in a liquid vitamin or if you have a powder vitamin, you can lightly wet them and roll them in the powder before feeding them to the turtle. Hikari Aquatic Turtle Sticks are a complete diet turtle food and also contain vitamins A and D3, calcium and chitosan.

It is a good idea to feed your turtle food in a separate container so that you do not have to change the water or filter in the aquarium as frequently. Also, you can provide them with a separate dish of clean drinking water daily.

Some commercial foods are available for turtles, e.g., T-Rex Aquatic Dry Turtle Foodsturtle food; Tetra ReptoMin Floating Turtle Food Sticksturtle food; Zoo Med Aquatic Turtle Foodturtle food; Exo Terraturtle food; Wardley’s Reptile Premium Sticksturtle food; and HBH Turtle Bitesturtle food. There are also a variety of frozen or canned treats, such as spirulina-enriched brine shrimp; bloodworms; plankton; krill and Zoo Med Sun Dried Red Shrimp; crickets; grasshoppers, or meal worms.
Live foods include guppies, or Rosies Reds, crickets, earthworms, aquatic shrimp and slugs. Giving your turtle live fish from time to time provides exercise and interest.

Variety is important in a turtle’s diet. Fruits, such as apples, bananas, grapes, melon, tomato and strawberries can be given for treats in small amounts. Small, bite-size amounts of squash, zucchini, carrots, lettuce greens, collards, kale and dandelion greens can also be given.

Live plants that can be purchased from a pet store that are safe for your turtle are anacharis; duckweed; water hyacinth; water lettuce and water lily.

 

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Chelonians: Turtles, Terrapins and Tortoises as Pets

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Turtles Are Commonly Kept As Pets

The chelonians are the group of reptiles that carry their homes with them. These include terrestrial turtles or tortoises and aquatic turtles or terrapins. They have been among the most commonly kept of all reptiles. Few people have not touched or been near turtles at some time in their lives. These very same people would often shudder at the thought of touching other reptiles. Tortoises are distinguished from turtles by having feet rather than flippers, and the legs are stumpy with a flattened sole. For the purposes of these articles, we will focus on the aquatic turtles.

Turtles are interesting to watch and they are different from the traditional, furry pets in that they have no fur or hair to be allergic to.

There are several misconceptions about turtles that you should be aware of.

Most people see them as easy pets to care for with little or no maintenance because they see turtles as not doing much other than swim and sun themselves. Some pet stores do not carry turtles because turtles are often the object of an impulse purchase. Prospective pet owners do not realize that turtles require a great deal of care and attention to maintain them in a healthy state. In fact, they require more care than other reptiles. They may also not realize how intelligent these animals can be. Turtles know the difference between who is a friend and who is a foe. They are quite tame and very social. You must realize that to take on a turtle as a pet is a responsibility not to be taken lightly. As with any pet, you should always do the research first to see not only if the pet is right for you, but if YOU are right for the pet.

Red Eared Slider Turtles Are Common PetsPet Turtles are not a good choice for small children. Children cannot properly provide the best care for a turtle as a pet. They need their enclosure or habitat cleaned on a regular basis. Children often lose interest in caring for their freshwater pet and the onus falls on the parents to care for the turtle.
There are many different kinds of turtles. You may be able to buy a turtle from an online source; however, you should check the laws in the area where you live concerning the purchase and keeping of pet turtles. It is often illegal to keep a certain kind turtle that is not a natural species in your area. Different kinds of turtles require different environments and care. You also need to consider the gender of your turtles if you purchase more than one. For example, during mating season, two male turtles may fight each other aggressively if there is only one female present.

You might want to consider looking for a reptile rescue centre in the area in which you live, if one exists. This could be an excellent place to get a pet turtle, as they would also be a valuable resource in offering information and advice on the care of your new pet. You would also be able to know the background of the turtle and have the assurance that this pet is in good health.

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Posted in turtle care, turtle tips, Types of Turtles

Pet Turtles and Salmonella

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If you are considering getting a pet turtle, you should be aware that this poses a risk, especially to infants and small children, of contracting human Salmonella infections.

Turtles, along with other reptiles, are known to be carriers of Salmonella and have long been a recognized source of Salmonella infection in humans. The results of Salmonella infection in children can be very serious and can, in some cases, result in death.

Most turtles carry Salmonella and shed the bacteria in their feces intermittently. Turtles that do not shed Salmonella in the normal course will shed when under stress. This makes the water in the turtles’ bowl or aquarium also infected with Salmonella.

Health Canada advises that reptiles, including turtles, are not appropriate pets for children and they should not be kept in the same house as an infant.

U.S. Four Inch Law Enacted to Reduce Salmonella

An article from CTV News in Canada from July, 6, 2007 stated, “In the U.S., the federal “Four-Inch Law” was enacted in 1975, forbidding the sale of turtles with a carapace length of less than four 4 inches (10 cm). In 1980, the CDC estimated that the 1975 prohibition had prevented an estimated 100,000 cases of turtle-associated salmonellosis in children aged one to nine years in 1976.”

In 1975, Agriculture Canada banned the importation of turtles into Canada in an attempt to curb the number of cases of human salmonellosis associated with turtles.

The risk of infection is higher with small children. They tend to treat turtles as toys. The turtle may be slow moving and appear as less of a threat than other kinds of pets. If given the chance, children are more likely than adults to handle a turtle excessively. Small children have even been known to put a turtle in their mouth or “kiss” the turtle. They are less likely to wash their hands after handling the turtle. You should always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and running water after handling a turtle, coming in contact with the turtle’s aquarium or the turtles’ feces or urine. Children will often touch their face or mouth without washing. The spread of Salmonella in small children is therefore more likely than in an adult.

One should also treat any surface the turtle has come in contact with as potentially being contaminated by Salmonella. The turtle’s aquarium should be cleaned with a 10% household bleach solution on a regular basis.

Common sense dictates that to prevent Salmonella infection, you should handle the turtle as little as possible and, therefore, keeping the turtle in its aquarium, not allowing it to roam. As discussed already, the enclosure should be kept clean and you should wash your hands whenever you have handled the turtle or have been in contact with its enclosure.

Salmonella is a risk with turtles - make sure to keep the tank clean

Make sure to keep the tank clean and you should have little trouble with Salmonella

For more information on salmonella and the risks and on the care of turtles, you should contact your local vet. The above information is meant as a guideline only.

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Turtles as Pets Tips.

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Thinking about selecting Tortoises and Turtles as pets?

A lot of people really don’t often regard Tortoises and Turtles as pets; but this outlook is beginning to change. Tortoises and Turtles can be kept as pets with ease: Tortoises and Turtles neither generate excessive mess nor need to be taken outside the house for walks. Many Tortoises and Turtles are gorgeous to look at; attractive colours and fascinating features. Even though probably not really warm and friendly like a dog or cat, a Red Eared Slider may very well be as enjoyable. With tons left that could then be observed regarding the subject, the Turtle or Tortoise keeper is in a fantastic spot to assist with putting together fresh observations and findings. The dedicated reptile owner will most likely desire to reproduce specimens from her or his collection: there are numerous varieties that have not been bred yet in captivity.

What You Require TO KEEP Tortoises and Turtles AS PETS?

 

Turtles as Pets enclosureIf you’re planning to keep Tortoises and Turtles as pets, it truly is especially important to supply an enclosure to accommodate the Turtle or Tortoise before it’s caught or purchased. The preparation is required due to the environment it’ll need. The housing requirements for Turtles will obviously differ from those of  Tortoises’. Marine turtles are probably beyond the scope of amateur collectors and herpetologists due to the requirement for large salt water enclosures, but smaller fresh water turtles and semi aquatic breeds can be kept in regular aquariums. Make sure you provide an area where the turtle can get out of the water when it needs to. Tortoises are best kept in a terrarium similar to that of a lizard or snake. They are terrestrial and while they don’t require the water that a turtle would, the still do require a source of water for drinking.

A terrarium is in reality a specialized housing intended for various kinds of small creatures that need more than simply a regular aquarium to reside in. It is crucial to produce a microcosm of the ecosystem the Turtle or Tortoise is accustomed to inside the terrarium.

The basic specifications for any terrarium where one can keep Tortoises and Turtles as pets; heat, healthy diet, illumination, and room. The majority of demands will probably influence the ultimate pick of Turtle or Tortoise. The individual that owns Tortoises and Turtles as pets has to be wholly satisfied that she / he is able to keep her / his selection of pets at ease and fed, and give them a sufficient amount of light and space.

Area is important for the healthy continuing development of all Tortoises and Turtles. Many might appear to do satisfactorily and eat with scarcely enough room to turn around, nonetheless their normal progress could be restricted.

Another essential factor to take into account in the selection of Tortoises and Turtles as pets would be the availability of the specific species. Reptile exports have already been banned by Australia and New Zealand, and a lot of North American varieties are intentionally protected. India, likewise, has constrained the export of virtually all of its native wildlife. Importing can be restricted too. In basic fact it is recommended that you have a look at government regulations prior to making any specific arrangements. The newbie may perhaps be best advised to purchase only those types obtainable in their own country. Several reputable pet retailers are able to provide Tortoises and Turtles, although these are typically offered to order – via specialty distributors – as opposed to from supply. These specialty distributors may supply a listing of their selection to the potential client. Several listings can be very detailed, suggesting the diet along with living environments of the reptiles; and a lot of them supply you with the creature’s Latin names.

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