If you have a pet turtle and you want it to reach its maximum lifespan, here are some suggestions to help increase your pet's longevity.
Step 1
Get a healthy turtle at the best cost. Obtain your turtle from a reputable breeder or a turtle adoption organization.
Step 2
Provide a large tank for your turtle. A ten gallon per each inch of your turtle is a general rule. 50 gallon minimum for a baby turtle (younger than a year old) and 120+ for an adult.
Step 3
Provide proper filtration. A turtle needs a canister filter. A Rena filstar XP3 or XP4 is highly recommended in keeping a turtle healthy. Without good filtration your turtle can get extremely sick.
Step 4
Provide a balanced diet for your turtle. A proper diet for RES and similar species should have the following proportions: Vegetables and water plants 50%; Commercial foods 25%; Live protein 25%. A turtle under a year old should be fed every day. A turtle over a year old should be fed every other day as to prevent them from getting over weight.
Step 5
Make sure to have a basking area with a UVB light over it as well as a separate heat light.
Step 6
Maintain proper water temps. You will need a water heater. Turtles are cold-blooded animals and thus rely on external heat to warm up their bodies. It is very important to maintain proper temperatures to secure the health of our turtles. If the temps get too high or two low it can turn fatal. The water should be 80 - 82 degrees Fahrenheit ( 26.5 - 27.5 Celsius) for a hatchling or a sick turtle, and 77 - 80 degrees F (25.5 - 26.5 C) for a healthy turtle over a year old. The basking (dry land) area should be 10 degrees F (6 degrees C ) warmer than the water to entice the turtle to warm up by basking.
Tips
- It is a good idea to find a herp vet in your area that specializes in turtles. If your turtle has an illness the only way to seek treatment is by seeing a vet. If you already find one before an emergency arises it will be easier for you to get the proper medical treatment for your turtle.
- Remember - once a turtle displays symptoms of an illness than it is often too late. Turtles hide illnesses very well, so once they are showing symptoms than it means the illness has progressed and they need medical attention ASAP!
- Make sure your turtle's filter is off while it's eating, otherwise it can't catch the food.
Warnings
- Don't put stones or other ornaments with sharp or ragged edges in your turtle's tank, they may hurt it. Don't turn your turtle upside down in water, it might not be able to breathe.and do not feed the turtle red ants
