How to care for a red-eared sea turtle. How to properly care for a land turtle at home

Before you bring this exotic animal into your home, you need to think carefully and familiarize yourself with the recommendations for caring for these unpretentious pets. If it was given as a gift, you should immediately think about arranging a separate corner for it. Nowadays it is not difficult to find out how to do this if you have Internet at home.

Since there are aquatic and, their care is somewhat different. It is easier to care for a land turtle than an aquatic one, but the principle is the same. To make a land turtle feel comfortable, you need to have:

or a spacious, clean drawer.
Availability of varied food.
Take a warm bath once a week.
Constant trimming of claws and beak.

As for the aquatic turtle, for its normal maintenance it needs to constantly have water, and therefore it has to be kept in an aquarium. Moreover, in the aquarium you need to arrange a place where the turtle can eat and rest.

Costs per turtle

If you decide to have a turtle at home, then you need to know and be prepared for the fact that you will have to shell out certain funds:

Terrarium with additional equipment – 3000 rubles.
Heating lamp – from 1000 rubles per six months.
Feed costs – from 500 rubles per month.
Examination by a veterinarian – from 1000 rubles.

As you can see from the list, the funds are not small, as for maintaining such a small animal. But that's not all: in addition to funds, she needs constant care and attention.

For the normal development of a turtle, a varied diet is needed, including fresh vegetables (lettuce, cucumbers, cabbage, tomatoes, carrots, pumpkin), greens (dandelion, plantain, coltsfoot). At the same time, we must not forget that the turtle loves most - fruits (watermelon, melon, apple) and berries (strawberries, raspberries, cherries).

She is not averse to dining on cooled semolina or buckwheat porridge, and will also not refuse oatmeal prepared in the traditional way.

To prevent her from getting sick from a lack of nutrients, cottage cheese, boiled eggs, and raw minced meat should be added to the main diet. At the same time, there is no need to give her something to drink, since she gets most of her liquid from vegetables and fruits, and besides, she can drink while taking a bath.

The diet of an aquatic turtle is mainly meat and fish, but it will not refuse snails, worms, mice, etc. But this does not mean that she should not be given food of plant origin. It should be at least 30% in the diet of an aquatic turtle.

Setting up a terrarium for a land turtle

Firstly, it must be spacious so that the turtle can move more, and secondly, it must be clean.

Unsanitary conditions are absolutely unacceptable here.

Optional equipment:

Lamp for lighting and heating the recreation area.
Ultraviolet lamp for irradiation.
Flooring.
A place to hide.
Thermometer for temperature control.

For an aquatic turtle you will have to make an aquarium with partial dry land. Typically the ratio is: 3 parts water and 1 part land.

Hibernation of domestic turtles

As a rule, all domestic exotic animals are representatives of the wild. For them, sleep is an opportunity to experience some abnormal natural conditions in the form of cold or extreme heat. If the turtle is kept at home under optimal temperature conditions, then it does not need it, and it will not. If the turtle moves little and eats poorly, then you need to reconsider its diet, or even better, show it to a doctor.

About once a week, your land tortoise should have a bath. To do this, warm water at a temperature of 30-35°C is filled into a basin and the turtle is placed there. The water level should be such that the turtle's head is above the water, nothing else is required, you just need to leave it in the vessel for half an hour.

A turtle's claws and beak can grow to such a size that it has difficulty moving and eating. In this case, you need to get sharp nippers and trim off the excess. To shorten a turtle's claw, it needs to be placed in the light, where the blood vessel will be visible. Having retreated 2-3mm from the vessel, you can bite off the claw. The beak is bitten off in small pieces until the turtle's jaws close.

As for aquatic turtles, in this regard it is somewhat easier with them, since they do not need such procedures.

The red-eared turtle (Trachemys scripta), also called the yellow-bellied turtle, is the most common among pet turtle hobbyists. Unfortunately, such popularity also has a downside: a huge number of domestic red-eared turtles are doomed to death or life in unsuitable conditions. Unscrupulous sellers often do not know or hide details from buyers in order to make money. To make this happen less often, we will tell you in detail about the maintenance, feeding and care of this turtle.

The red-eared slider is very hardy and is a good choice for beginners. On the one hand, they live a long time and often become the first species of turtles for many hobbyists, but on the other hand, people who buy them often destroy them. They don’t know that turtles need water and land (shore), which should be warm and where UV rays should reach. At the same time, they spend most of their time in water, which must be clean, warm and regularly changed. As a rule, all problems and diseases are caused by careless owners who do not know that dirty water causes infections; without calcium, the shell will become crooked; without heat and a UV lamp, the turtle does not absorb calcium and gets sick!

They are fast, strong and can be aggressive!

They easily attack other turtles, and each other. They are also known for their personality and charisma, which sets them apart from other turtle species. They are very skilled when it comes to feeding and can take food from each other. In the wild, being an invasive species, they displace and destroy endemics so much so that in Australia they are outlawed and exterminated.

American red-eared turtles can be excellent pets, if only because allergies to reptiles are rare.

However, if you decide to have her as a gift for a child, remember that all responsibility for her health and behavior lies with you! Children cannot care for a turtle at the proper level; moreover, they can quickly lose interest in a new toy and abandon it. And she needs to be fed, water changed, warmed, even washed.

How long do red-eared turtles live? With good care, a turtle can live from 20 to 40 years.

Habitat in nature

The red-eared freshwater turtle is native to North America and is especially common along the Mississippi River before it flows into the Gulf of Mexico. She lives in a warm climate in the southern states of the USA, from Colorado to Florida. But its popularity is great and now it is often found in nature around the world, often posing a threat to local fauna.

In its natural habitat, it needs the following conditions: fresh water, places to bask, dense vegetation and for a nest. Usually these are lakes, ponds, swamps, and creeks. It prefers bodies of water with warm water and a weak current, always with places above the surface of the water where it can climb out to warm itself. Often in such places they lie directly on top of each other. The bottom in such places is usually sandy or silty.

The habitat is usually limited to the water's edge; American red-eared turtles do not like to move far from the shore, although females need solid ground to lay eggs.

Small turtles in nature feed on fish, snails, insects and various plants.

Appearance, size, life expectancy

The red-eared turtle is recognizable and difficult to confuse with other species. A characteristic red (sometimes orange) stripe starts from the eyes and continues along the neck. The carapace (upper part of the shell), round and smooth, is olive green with black and yellow lines. The plastron (lower part of the shell) is also smooth, yellowish in color with dark spots. Young turtles have a very bright green shell, but it darkens with age. With age, the spots on the shell darken, and the red stripe on the head turns pale.

The size of a red-eared slider is determined by measuring the length of the shell from edge to edge with a ruler. In this case, they do not pay attention to the curvature of the shell, so it is best to measure with a ruler rather than a tape measure.

Only hatched turtles are about 2.5 cm in length, after a year of life they grow to 5–7 cm. Males become sexually mature at a size of about 10 cm, and females 12.5. The average size of a turtle is from 25 to 30 cm, depending on the conditions and species. Males are smaller in size than females.

Please note that size cannot be a sign of age. The fact is that at home turtles grow faster than in nature, this is the result of overfeeding and ideal conditions. But, with proper maintenance and feeding at home, turtles live longer than their wild relatives. A domestic turtle can live up to 40 years, while a wild turtle can live no more than 20.

1 year: 6 cm.

2 years: female - 9 cm, male - 8 cm.

3 years: female - 14 cm, male 10 cm.

4 years: female - 16 cm, male - 12 cm.

5 years: female - 18 cm, male - 14 cm.

6 years: female - 20 cm, male - 17 cm.

Sense organs

The red-eared slider has well-developed senses, especially vision and smell. They can distinguish colors both in the water and above it, and can look out for nesting sites for other turtles. They notice movement very well, at a distance of up to 40 meters, no matter if it is a prey or a predator. They also have a good sense of smell, which helps them find food.

But her hearing is not very good, her ears are covered with skin and feel only dull sounds and vibration. The shell is sensitive to touch because nerves pass through it. In addition, they have a sense of touch and can reject unpalatable foods in favor of tastier ones.

As for sounds, it can make hissing, snorting, or short sounds like a squeak. Turtles don't breathe underwater, they rise to the surface for oxygen!

How to determine gender?

Just as pet red-eared turtles grow faster, they also become sexually mature faster. A turtle becomes sexually mature after one year of age, and you cannot confidently determine the sex of a turtle if it is less than 10 cm in size.

More or less confidently, we can say whether it is a male or a female when the age of the male is 2–4 years, and the females are 3–5 years old and their size is about 10–15 cm. However, in the case of abundant feeding, sexual maturity may become earlier.

The main differences between a male and a female are: females are larger and have a shorter tail. In addition, in the female, the cloaca is located closer to the base of the tail. An indirect sign can be the claws on the paws; in males they are longer and curved. Of even more relative characteristics, the males have a slightly concave plastron inward, which helps him during mating.

Location of the cloaca in a female (right) and male (left)

Male claws

Turtle at your home

Buying a turtle

So, you have decided to get a red-eared slider. You can simply go to the market or pet store and choose the first one you come across. Or it can be more difficult, first read, find out, create conditions, buy and take it to the veterinarian. For what? Sellers often keep them in unsuitable conditions, and a veterinarian will check the turtle for wounds, infections, tightness, and disease.

If you already have turtles, then it is best to keep the purchased ones in quarantine for 3 months. You cannot keep baby and adult turtles together, as this is fraught with accidental and intentional injuries! Only turtles similar in size and living conditions can live together.

After purchasing and changing your place of residence, it may take several days to adapt. During this time, the turtle can be either inhibited or very active; it is better to leave it alone, but do not forget to feed and look after it.

Handling the turtle

When you pick up a turtle you need to be very careful!

They may be slippery with water, resist, hiss, and have bowel movements. They have sharp claws, powerful paws and they bite painfully, so it’s not always pleasant to pick them up. Try to hold the turtle with both hands! Due to awkward handling, many owners and even more turtles suffered.

After holding the turtle in your hands, wash them with soap! This is especially important for children, since despite the fact that the red-eared turtle is domestic, it lives in a different environment and there are different bacteria there.

It is especially important to keep the aquarium clean and the food fresh, as turtles can carry salmonellosis.

Ideally, any animal in the house should not have access to the kitchen and places where food is prepared. Avoid washing your turtle in the kitchen sink, and do not wash your aquarium or accessories there.

Handling babies

Most turtles appearing in a home aquarium are still babies. They are still very tender and it is important to make sure they eat well and are comfortable. The cubs have a high mortality rate, are susceptible to disease, and can die for no apparent reason.

If you notice something on your turtle's plastron, it could be the yolk sac. Newly hatched turtles consume the nutrients from it and it should not be removed or disturbed. They may refuse food at first, and begin to eat after the yolk sac has completely resolved.

Avoid holding small turtles in your arms. They are, of course, beautiful and elegant, but they can also get scared, get stressed and get sick. Don't stand over the aquarium or knock on the glass; let them get used to it for a few days and start eating. It is very important that the temperature of water and air (land) be stable.

You cannot place an aquarium with a red-eared slider in direct sunlight or in a draft. Make sure that she has free access to dry land and that the area is heated with a special lamp.

Keeping temperatures for baby turtles should be slightly higher than for adult turtles! This is 26-27C for water and up to 32C for sushi.

The water should be as clean as possible and if there is no good filter, then change it every couple of days. Feeding - branded food for turtles with calcium, fortunately there is a wide choice of them now. As already stated, do not keep baby and adult turtles together. Remember, most problems can be avoided simply by creating the necessary conditions.

Fights and aggression

If you consider an aquarium as a small pond, red-eared turtles will exhibit dominant behavior towards others. They can easily injure others with their claws or bites. Males may chase females, and this often results in severe aggression with biting, severed tails, or death. Adding a new turtle may provoke fights, especially if the turtles are already sexually mature.

If this happens, significantly increasing the space may help, although it does not guarantee success. Feeding alone (alone outside the aquarium) also reduces aggression. You can add barriers, plastic plants or walls to prevent the animals from seeing each other.

In general, this is a wild animal by nature, and this behavior is more than normal. If you don't want problems, then you need to keep them alone. Red-eared turtles feel great living without a mate.

Adult turtle and babies - struggle for food:

Keeping a red-eared turtle

Home care

What do you need to buy for maintenance?

You understand that prices can vary greatly, so we’ll just list the necessary things:

Aquarium for turtle 200 liters

100 Watt water heater

Filter (can be internal, but preferably external)

Ultraviolet lamp for aquatic turtles with UVB 10%

Heating lamp

Lamp

Thermometer

Land/shore/island

As you can see, the list is quite serious and the most important thing is that all this is really necessary. Now do you understand why so many pet turtles are dying?

How to care for a red-eared slider?

For almost everyone who wants to get a turtle, the first problem is finding an adequate container and purchasing additional equipment. And then they begin to understand that the content is more complex than they imagined. And very often, owners simply don’t buy what they need, and then the animal suffers and dies.

Here, even such a simple thing as where to place the terrarium can cause problems. Aquarium from 150 liters, plus water, equipment, shore. The output will be more than three hundred kilograms, and not every table can handle it.

A larger aquarium will allow your aquatic turtle to remain more active and healthy. Remember - if you keep a turtle in a cramped environment, it will not stay small! This is a common misconception that also applies to aquarium fish and other animals. She will become sick, twisted, but not small!

What should you buy for your turtle?

So, for maintenance you will need an aquarium or terrarium for the red-eared turtle (or rather an aquarrarium, since it needs both land and water), from 150 to 200 liters. When you look at a small turtle, such requirements seem too high, but it will grow up and become much larger. There should be enough water so that the turtle can turn over freely in it, that is, more than the width of its shell.

You also need artificial land or an island on which the turtle will crawl out and bask. Such an island can be bought at a pet store; they are specially made. If you decide to do it yourself, then remember that it should be a sloping climb, but one that will be comfortable for the animal to climb. In principle, that's all that is needed from him.

You can make an island with your own hands; in nature, turtles choose snags, stones, old tires, or any debris sticking out of the water. But, it is easier to buy a ready-made product, since it must meet certain conditions: not be toxic, be stable, have a textured surface, and not have sharp corners or burrs.

The shore could be like this

The island must occupy at least 25% of the surface of your aquaterarium and meet the following requirements:

warming up is the main purpose of the shore for a turtle. The temperature on it should be 10 degrees higher than in the water. Too high a temperature is not good, it can lead to hyperthermia (overheating) in the turtle.

be semi-submerged, at least one side must be submerged

be safe so that the turtle does not get stuck between the wall of the aquarium and the shore itself

do not release toxins when heated and in water

be stable, since red-eared turtles are quite strong and can turn over the bank

have a textured surface

Example of an aquaterrarium with a turtle and fish:

Priming

You don’t have to use it at all, like any decor, turtles don’t need it. However, if you want the aquaterrarium to look less dull, then use only large stones. For example, turtles can swallow gravel and die; besides, the soil makes caring for the aquarium more difficult.

Heating the shore for a turtle

In nature, turtles come ashore to warm themselves, and the same should be done for them in a home terrarium. To achieve the desired temperature of 30-35C (on the shell), the lamp must be located above the turtle. You will need to look at the thermometer regularly to check the settings.

Be careful as placing a lamp too close can cause burns, especially if you are keeping multiple aquatic turtles as they may climb on top of each other and be closer to the heat source.

Also, do not forget that when turtles dive into the water they raise splashes, and if they hit the base they can easily destroy it, since it is hot. So the lamp for turtles should be closed from water and fumes.

Ideal aquaterrarium

In general, you can buy a suitable lamp at a pet store, especially since they are now sold in pairs with UV lamps, which are needed separately.

The heating lamp, like the UV lamp, should work throughout the day, which is 10–12 hours.

Both lamps are working

Ultraviolet lamp for turtles

Proper lighting and heating are critical aspects of keeping a red-eared slider. In nature, it has enough sunlight and heat to produce all the necessary elements.

But in captivity she lacks neither warmth (we talked about it above) nor spectrum and needs special care. More precisely, UV rays, which are needed so that it can properly absorb calcium and produce B vitamins.

In the absence of a UV lamp in the terrarium, the turtle begins to poorly absorb calcium, which it needs for the normal development of its shell. The result is terrible animals, suffering from rickets, with severely curved shells.

The heating lamp, like the UV lamp, should work throughout the day, which is 10-12 hours. Moreover, glass or plastic blocks a significant part of the rays and the UV lamp should hang above the turtle. For adult turtles, a lamp with UVB 10% is used.

Aquarium water

Since the red-eared turtle is an aquatic species, it spends most of its time in water, so monitoring its quality is very important. Turtles eat, sleep and defecate in the water, so it needs to be filtered and changed frequently. Dirty water is one of the sources of discomfort, disease and infection.

The minimum water level in the aquarium is such that the turtle could turn over if it suddenly ends up on its back. That is, no less than the width of its shell. However, if possible, you should keep it higher, since the more water, the more stable it is and the cleaner it remains. In this case, the turtle must have free access to the shore; it must be able to climb onto it and warm itself at any time.

The water must be left for at least 24 hours so that the chlorine leaves it and it reaches room temperature. The water temperature in an aquarium with a turtle should be 22-28 °C and not fall below 20; if this is possible, then it should be heated using a heater. Be sure to use a thermometer, don't trust your feelings!

The purity of the water is very important, since turtles both eat and defecate in it. Harmful substances such as ammonia and nitrates accumulate very quickly, and the water begins to stink. To avoid this, change the water in the aquarium once or twice a week. You can also use an internal or external filter, however, this does not replace water changes. For a turtle, internal filters are too low-power, and external filters are good, but quite expensive.

How long can a red-eared turtle live without water if it escapes from the aquarium? For quite a long time, it happens that they run away from the aquarium and the owners find them only a few days later, lethargic, but alive. In general, she will live quietly for a day or two, but will suffer from drying out.

Feeding

Omnivores that feed on a wide variety of foods. Variety is important to keep your turtle healthy. You can feed: artificial food, food for aquarium fish, vegetables, aquarium plants, insects, fish, invertebrates. In addition to variety, it is important to provide a balanced diet high in calcium. Like all wild animals that live indoors, there is a tendency to overeat.

Young turtles are mostly omnivores. But as they grow and mature, they become more and more herbivorous. Omnivorousness means that the diet contains a large amount of protein, but in adult turtles it is much less.

Turtles of any age will prefer live prey or carrion, but should only be fed occasionally. It is also necessary to provide additional calcium for the normal formation and growth of the turtle's shell.

What to feed a red-eared slider?

They eat almost everything, but the main food may well be artificial food for aquatic turtles, since there are many options and types. Their composition is specially selected to provide all the necessary substances for turtles. The high protein content of commercial feeds allows them to be fed in small portions.

To make feeding more balanced, add calcium and plant foods and your turtle will be quite happy. Please note that commercial feeds most often already contain calcium additives; read the labels on the packaging.

Red-eared turtles require water to swallow because they do not produce saliva. They can take food on land, but will drag it into the water to eat it. You can use this to your advantage and feed them in a separate container, so the water in the aquarium will remain clean for a longer time.

Feeding with plant foods

Fresh vegetables should always be given to your turtle, regardless of whether he shows interest in them or not. A good mix of vegetables contains essential fiber, calcium, vitamins A and K.

Aquarium plants can also be given, especially since they are similar to those that the turtle has in nature. It is especially important to feed adult and old turtles with plant foods! Their diet should consist of 75% vegetables and aquarium plants. It can be duckweed, riccia, ludwigia, hornwort, lettuce, pieces of cucumber and zucchini, boiled dandelion and nettle, clumps of filamentous algae.

Red-eared turtles and live food (guppies, snails)

Omnivores, they happily eat everything they can get their hands on. The turtle's victims will include insects, snails, small fish and worms, crickets, etc. So the question of whether guppies and red-eared turtles can get along in the same aquarium is not at all worth it. The same can be said about any aquarium fish, even large ones can bite.

Poor goldfish (slow, you say?)

How much and how often should you feed red-eared turtles?

A difficult question, since for the most part it depends on the size, age and the food you give.

Turtles up to one year old need to be fed artificial food daily, and you can also give plant food daily, even if she refuses. But a turtle older than a year can be fed every other day or even two. However, plant foods can again be fed more often.

The amount of food may also vary. Newly hatched turtles should receive more protein, approximately 50% of the total food. Since most turtle foods contain about 40%, you can additionally feed fish such as guppies, insects, and earthworms. For adult turtles, the percentage of artificial food is reduced to 10-25%, and the rest should be various plants.

Since the size, shape and composition of feed can vary significantly, you need to focus on what the manufacturer writes on the packaging.

Hibernation

Hibernation is the period in which the red-eared turtle goes into hibernation during the winter months. There is no need for a pet turtle to hibernate! Moreover, it is not recommended! Never encourage her to do this.

Reasons why hibernation may be unsafe:

you may not have enough experience to care for her at this time

Most likely, in order for her to hibernate normally, you don’t have the conditions

young and sick turtles may be too weak to survive the hibernation period

your turtle may not need it at all

Turtles hibernating in nature burrow into leaves and silt at the bottom of a reservoir, the depth of which is shallow, and vice versa into the surface. They do not rise to the surface during this time, but absorb oxygen through membranes in the mouth, pharynx and cloaca. In this case, the depth of the reservoir is important so that the water is not too cold, but also contains enough oxygen. Most artificial conditions and ponds are unable to recreate these conditions.

In general, a pet red-eared slider should not and should not be hibernated. By the way, the key condition here is the water temperature, it must be maintained at 24-26C. Lower temperatures just remind her of winter and hibernation.

Reproduction of red-eared turtles

Whether a turtle is sexually mature or not depends on its size. Approximately: 2-4 years for a male and a shell of more than 10 cm and 2-5 years for a female and 12-13 cm. Mating games begin with a mature male (although young ones can also try), with a kind of courtship. During which he swims in front of the female, with his muzzle towards her and waves his paws very quickly in front of her eyes. In nature, breeding occurs in March and June, but domestic turtles can mate throughout the year.

When a turtle is pregnant, that is, carrying eggs, you need to prepare a special place for her where she will lay these eggs. A female red-eared slider can carry eggs without a male, but they will not be fertilized! You can gently feel the eggs between the carapace and her hind legs, but be careful, they are very fragile. The female will instinctively look for a place to nest and lay eggs. A clutch can contain up to 20 eggs for a large female. If the conditions are suitable, then the female lays up to 3-4 clutches per season.

In a home aquaterrarium, the female signals preparation for reproduction by changing her behavior. She becomes very restless, imitates digging movements with her hind legs and tries to get out of the aquarium. Also during this time, she spends more time on land and needs calcium and UV rays. The place where she can lay her eggs is very important; if there is not one, she will lay them in the water or even carry them further, which will cause them to harden. If you see that a turtle has laid one or two eggs, try to make a nest for it. Most likely, the rest of the clutch has not yet hatched and she is still pregnant.

If the female does not lay eggs, they will harden and can cause infection and death of the animal. Even a properly prepared nest is not a guarantee that everything will go well, since the turtle may be old, tired, and sick. If she tries to lay her clutch, but nothing works, then it is better to take her to the veterinarian.

Possible signs of problems: decreased activity, heavy breathing, depressions or swelling near the cloaca. If there is an unpleasant liquid coming out of it or there is an odor, then the eggs inside may have broken. If you have any health problems with your red-eared slider, contact your veterinarian immediately!
Mating games:

Health and illness

More than 85% of all diseases of red-eared turtles are the result of improper care, maintenance and feeding, and most often all at once. It is not difficult to maintain clean water and the correct temperature for your pet, as well as to create the necessary conditions.

Sick turtles should be kept at a higher temperature, in most cases 27-30 Celsius. At this temperature, the immune system operates at its peak efficiency. It is important to maintain fluid balance in the turtle's body so that it does not become dehydrated. Ensuring that she drinks and is in water is more important than her nutrition, since a sick turtle can die from dehydration and its kidneys will fail. Even in emaciated turtles, fluid balance is first restored, and then feeding begins.

A sick turtle swims poorly, swims on one side, and may even drown. Reduce the water level and make sure she can come ashore as soon as she wants.
If you suspect an infection, immediately isolate the animal and be sure to wash your hands after handling it.

The basis for success in treating a turtle is contacting a specialist. Do not treat the animal yourself, go to the veterinarian!

The main diseases of red-eared turtles and their symptoms

Symptom:
The red-eared turtle's eyes are swollen or red and often does not open them. The skin around them is red, swollen, and there may be discharge from the eyes.

It's probably:
A bacterial infection of the eyes, most often caused by dirty water. Change the water, clean the aquaterarium, check the temperature conditions.

Treatment:
Antibiotics in drops, cleaning the aquarium.

Symptom:
Formations in the mouth, most often necrotic in nature. The turtle refuses to feed; its eyes may be closed.

It's probably:
A bacterial infection in the mouth caused by gram-negative bacteria.

Treatment:
A serious condition requiring immediate treatment. The mouth should be cleansed using gauze and an antimicrobial solution, removing affected tissue. The mainstay of treatment should be antibiotics prescribed by your veterinarian. If started early, it responds well to treatment.

Symptom:
The turtle is lethargic and holds its head high or in an unusual position. May exhibit weakness in front or hind legs, may have discharge from the mouth or nose, and often wheeze.

It's probably:
Serious respiratory infection, likely pneumonia.

Treatment:
A visit to the vet is definitely needed. Antibiotic injections are prescribed first (antibiotics are not given to turtles orally, due to the duration of action and the unpredictability of the effect when passing through the gastrointestinal tract)

Symptom:
The soft shell of a red-eared turtle. The carapace or plastron (the upper or lower part of the turtle's shell) is soft, with visible hemorrhages. There may be an unpleasant odor (turtle stink) and the affected area will quickly enlarge.

It's probably:
Bacterial infection of tissue, probably from injury or illness. Typically caused by gram-negative bacteria.

Treatment:
Treatment of the affected area with antibacterial drugs, removal of dead tissue, isolation. Antibiotics as prescribed by a veterinarian. In most cases, the cause is injury - a burn from a heater, damage from sharp stones, etc.

Symptom:
Lethargy, weakness, possibly redness of the paws or plastron.

It's probably:
Sepsis is blood poisoning.

Treatment:
In most cases, sepsis is the result of an injury through which bacteria from dirty water enter the bloodstream. Treatment is antibiotics, and they are correct and fast.

Symptom:
Carapaz (turtle shell) is soft and may be twisted. Weak limbs, problems with feeding.

It's probably:
Calcium deficiency, complete or partial.
In very advanced cases, the turtle dies. Treatment consists of injections of calcium supplements, plus a review of feeding and increased UV radiation.

Symptom:
Fresh, open wound.

It's probably:
The result of a fight, fall or damage to decor or stones.

Treatment:
Remove the cause of the injury. Treat the wound, clean the aquarium, make sure that the wound does not become a gateway for infection and sepsis.

Symptom:
Swelling or inflammation in the head.

It's probably:
Abscess in the ear. In the case of the red-eared slider, the most common cause is dirty water.

Treatment:
Surgery under general anesthesia.

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There are more than 335 species of turtles that inhabit different continents. Some species are very popular and easy to buy in pet stores, some are rarer, and some species are difficult to see even in zoos.
Animal lovers in Russia most often keep the following types of turtles in their homes: freshwater red-eared turtle, freshwater marsh turtle, freshwater turtle Trionics and land Central Asian turtle. In the south of Russia the Mediterranean tortoise and the marsh tortoise are found, in the east of Russia the Far Eastern trionix is found, and in Ukraine and Belarus the marsh tortoise is found. Red-eared turtles are brought in large numbers from nurseries in Europe and Asia, and then bad people release American turtles into Russian ponds, so the chance of meeting a red-eared turtle in a river or pond is very high.

This is what the most popular types of turtles look like:

Land (lat.Agrionemys horsfieldii)

A yellow-beige turtle with dark spots on the shell, usually up to 25 cm long. The turtle is listed in the Red Book and the CITES list and is prohibited for sale without documents, which is ignored by pet stores and, of course, smugglers.

The Central Asian tortoise lives in the states of Central Asia: Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan in steppe and semi-desert regions.

Like all land turtles, it feeds on vegetation (field plants, dried forage grasses, indoor plants, and occasionally permitted vegetables). Meat, milk, bread and white cabbage, fruits are strictly contraindicated for it. Once a week, the turtle should receive calcium and reptile vitamin powder.

For maintenance you need: terrarium from 100 l + UV lamp 10-12% UVB + incandescent lamp + soil (sawdust/hay/chips + pebbles) + house. The temperature in the terrarium should be from 25 in a cold corner to 35 in a hot corner (under a lamp).
Hibernation for turtles is optional, and also harmful and dangerous if not carried out according to the rules, so it is better to avoid it. It is recommended to bathe your turtle once a week.

Freshwater Pond slider(lat. Trachemys scripta)

This bright green (the shell becomes dark as an adult) turtle with red “ears” on its head has become very popular throughout the world in the last 25 years. The turtle can bite painfully, although it is not very aggressive.

This turtle is the most popular and the most “aquarium turtle” in our country and in many others.

The turtle lives in the USA and is brought to Russia from turtle farms. It is strictly forbidden to release it into Russian water bodies - this harms the ecosystem, and besides, the turtles themselves rarely survive the winter.

The turtle is freshwater and carnivorous (snails, feeding insects, raw freshwater low-fat fish with bones and entrails, occasionally dry food), but it also needs dry land and plant food (algae, or lettuce, dandelions).

You can read more about feeding turtles, aquariums and terrariums, and caring for turtles in the relevant sections.

It is important to know:

You cannot add new turtles to existing ones without prior quarantine.
If symptoms of disease occur or if you refuse to feed for a long time, you should contact a veterinarian-herpetologist.
If turtles in the same aquarium/terrarium are fighting or are too aggressive, they need to be separated.
Turtles should not be allowed to come into contact with other pets.
Land turtles (and sometimes aquatic ones) are kept on the floor like cats and dogs, as a result the turtles are stepped on, they are injured by other pets, they catch colds, and quickly develop rickets, vitamin deficiency, arthritis and kidney failure.
They buy a pair for the turtle so that it doesn’t get bored, but the result is fights and bitten off paws and tails. Turtles are loners! And they only need a pair for reproduction.
Feeding turtles the wrong food leads to serious problems with internal organs and even death. Just because a turtle eats something doesn’t mean it’s okay for it.

WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THOSE WE HAVE TAMED!

The land turtle is one of the most unpretentious pets. In this article I will talk about the types of these reptiles and which of them can be kept at home. I will consider the conditions for keeping pets at home. I’ll figure out how to set up a terrarium for them in an apartment and what to feed them in summer and winter. Description and characteristics of land reptiles.

Domestic land turtles come in different sizes from 10 to 30 cm

The history of the land turtle's life on earth goes back more than 200 million years. Today, more than 50 species of these cold-blooded animals are known, which differ in appearance and size.

A durable shell in which reptiles can hide their heads and limbs is the first feature of these animals. It has a very strong shell on its back and belly and serves as a means of protection against dangers in its natural habitat.
There are turtles of all sizes throughout the world. There are species whose dimensions do not exceed 10 cm. And there are giants whose mass approaches a ton. Small turtles with sizes of 15-30 cm are usually chosen as pets.
Small limbs and a streamlined head shape, which allows them to quickly hide entirely in the shell. The neck is most often short.

About 50 species of turtles are known.

Almost all species have a tail, some have a spine at the tip of the tail.
Hearing and vision are well developed for obtaining food in natural conditions. The eyes are always directed down to the ground.
Instead of teeth, they have a beak, which they use to chew food. There are growths on the beak that replace teeth for these reptiles.
The colors can be different - most often these are shades of green and brown.
Molting is typical - transparent scales may peel off from the shell from time to time.

During molting, the turtle's scales peel off

Various species of turtles live up to 200 years. But the average lifespan of small species is 20-30 years.

In their natural habitat, they can be found on the African and American continents, as well as in Asian countries and southern Europe. Most often they prefer steppes and deserts, less often found in tropical forests.

Types of turtles

Reptiles are divided primarily according to the type of their coloring:

Leopard print. The weight of these turtles reaches 50 kg. So named due to the obvious spots, similar to the color of a leopard, on a high carapace.
Leopard tortoise
This is a small turtle with dimensions up to 20 cm. The shell is round with a yellow-brown color. This is the most common type for home keeping.
Central Asian tortoise
Asian. This turtle has two varieties: depressed (has an average size of up to 30 cm, a reddish-black shell, brown paws and many black spots); brown (a large turtle with a shell length of up to 50 cm and a weight of up to 30 kg).
Asian dented turtle
Mediterranean. The size of this turtle is up to 35 cm, its habitat is Europe. The color of the shell is light olive or yellow-brown with dark spots.
Mediterranean (Greek) turtle
Radiant. The coloring of these reptiles is distinguished by regular yellow lines on the surface of the dark brown shell. Representatives of this species are rare. The dimensions of the shell reach 35-40 cm, and the weight is about 10-13 kg.
Radiant turtle

The Asian brown turtle is the only turtle that builds a nest for its eggs and protects its future offspring!

Pros and cons of such pets

Keeping a turtle, like any pet, has both pros and cons.

Many animal lovers keep turtles as pets. The advantages of having such an animal at home:

Unpretentiousness. Turtles need minimal care - creating their own corner and feeding.
Hypoallergenic. Many people want to get a cat or dog, but due to an allergy to wool they cannot do this. There will be no such problems with a turtle - no hair or other problems.
Economical. The turtles themselves are very inexpensive; they do not need additional vaccinations or all kinds of accessories. From food, the turtle needs some greens, vegetables and fruits. In the summer, you can pick her some fresh grass and pamper her with strawberries or raspberries.
Longevity. Pets live 20-30 years. The owner will not often be upset about the loss of a pet and look for a replacement every couple of years.
Safety. The turtle is the calmest and most harmless pet. She will not bite, push or scare either an adult or a child.

Potatoes and all types of citrus fruits are prohibited for turtles!

To some, a turtle may seem like a boring pet, but to others, on the contrary, it will turn out to be a troublesome friend.

Boredom and monotony. You can't really run or play with a turtle. You can’t take her with you to frolic on the street or to the lake. Such a pet quickly gets boring, especially for children, and they quickly lose interest in the turtle.
Difficulties in treatment. If a turtle gets sick, not all veterinarians can help treat it. Most often you need to go to the capital in search of a professional herpetologist. His services, travel and treatment will most likely cost a pretty penny.
Uncleanliness. Turtles often develop fungal diseases or problems with their shell, especially if it is not properly maintained. If you let your turtle wander around the house, you need to be prepared to search for and clean up excrement.
Night grinding. Turtles love to move at night, accompanied by scratching sounds. For people with sensitive sleep, this can be a real problem and result in sleepless nights.

Each person chooses an animal according to their spirit and temperament. For homebodies and people who don’t like fuss and loud noises, the turtle is perfect. This is also a great option as a first pet for families with children. The child will be happy to watch and care for this unpretentious pet.

Conditions for proper maintenance of a house or apartment

Set up a terrarium for your pet

For a turtle to live comfortably at home, it needs a properly equipped terrarium. The ideal size for a small reptile is a horizontal aquarium of 60 by 40 cm. Special material for turtles is placed at the bottom of the housing for easy changing. 2-4 cm of soil is poured onto it (this can be sand, gravel chips, hay or sawdust. You can mix all these options).

The land turtle needs ultraviolet light for the health of its shell and the creation of optimal temperature conditions.

an ordinary incandescent lamp;

Turtles love to bask in the sun, so the ideal daytime temperature would be 30-31 degrees Celsius. An incandescent lamp with a power of 50-60 W, installed at a height of 35-40 cm above the surface of the aquarium, will help to achieve this. At night, the temperature should be lower, so it is important not to forget to turn off the lamps for your pet.

The reptile terrarium must be equipped with a lamp

The ultraviolet lamp is installed at the same height.

When choosing a lamp in a store, you need to clarify that it is needed for a turtle! Reptiles require a special spectrum of UV rays!

To prevent diseases and clean dirt and food debris, the turtle should sometimes be bathed in clean water, to which you can add a little baking soda. It is enough to carry out this procedure once or twice a week.
The claws need to be filed down as needed, otherwise they will interfere with the pet's movement.

What to feed in winter and summer - the secrets of proper nutrition

Pay attention to your pets' diet

You need to feed herbs, vegetables and fruits daily. You can buy ready-made formulas for feeding at a pet store.

Your turtle should always have access to a bowl of clean water!

Preferred diet:

carrot;
cabbage;
some cucumbers;
any lettuce leaves;
greens and herbs (from parsley to plantain);
apples;
berries;
porridge (semolina, buckwheat, oatmeal).

Health and illness

Land turtles are susceptible to a number of diseases - examine your pet carefully to notice the first signs

Turtles are susceptible to several diseases:

Ear problems. Due to improper heating, otitis media or inflammation may occur. Most often, this disease is treated only by surgery. A clear symptom is swelling in the ear area.
Pneumonia. It also appears due to hypothermia of the animal. Symptoms include refusal to eat, wheezing, discharge from the nose and mouth, coughing and sneezing.
Kidney failure. It also occurs as a result of improper care and nutrition.
Injuries. This includes limb fractures and shell injuries. Unfortunately, there are often cases when owners step on turtles, or the pets themselves fall and are injured.
Dermatitis, fungus. Spots, peeling and scratching are signs of skin diseases.
Helminths. If they are detected, both the animal and the person need to undergo a course of treatment.

Any of the diseases should be treated only under the supervision of a herpetologist. Self-medication can lead to dire consequences.

The main mistakes in caring for land turtles

Follow the rules of care and then your pet will delight you with its good mood and health

People often buy turtles without thinking about the care they require. The most common mistakes in keeping reptiles:

Lack of a terrarium as such. Unfortunately, most people buy reptiles, forgetting about the arrangement of their habitat. They let them crawl around the house, without providing any temperature control or other comfortable living conditions for the pet.
No UV lamp. Not all owners are aware of the extreme necessity of ultraviolet radiation for the health of their pet. If there is no such lamp, problems arise with the baby’s shell and health.
Cleaning your pet with a stiff brush when shedding. Bathing should not be accompanied by any additional cleaning products or brushes. After bathing, wipe dry with a soft towel.
Keeping several pets in one terrarium. Doing this is strictly prohibited. Two males in the same area or animals of different sizes will definitely start a war for territory.
Washing the terrarium in the sink with kitchen utensils. It’s best to do all the cleaning outside of the kitchen. The use of a kitchen sponge is also undesirable for hygienic purposes. It is better to prepare a separate set of rags and sponges for cleaning the animal’s home, and after this procedure, thoroughly disinfect the sink.

Wash your hands thoroughly with soap!

The turtle is a wonderful, unpretentious pet. With proper care and feeding, he will delight his owners for many years. Many people love to watch their pet bask in the sun and take it with them to the dacha for a walk on the grass. And for some, arranging a reptile’s place of residence turns into a real hobby. If you don’t want to waste time on walks and constant fussing with the animal, a turtle is the best choice to purchase.

Not everyone is aware that the land turtle, so familiar and widespread as a pet, is listed in the Red Book. Being the owner of such a rare Central Asian reptile in nature is very responsible. You need to know a lot about care and proper maintenance, nutrition and other things. The mistakes of many turtle owners end very sadly for the latter.

Types of land turtles

In general, when talking about land turtles, you need to keep in mind not only the most common Central Asians in our homes. In nature, there are 37 species representing this family. Most of them are inhabitants of Africa. The most familiar land turtles to us, common species that have taken root as pets are the following:

A land turtle at home requires a responsible attitude to living conditions. Many people mistakenly let her loose throughout the apartment. This is fundamentally wrong and unacceptable. First, you could step on it and cause injury. Secondly, the turtle will definitely climb into a dark corner and inhale dust there, which will harm its lungs. Thirdly, if you don't find her hiding place, she will sit there hungry. Fourthly, drafts often “walk” across the floor, and turtles need a special warm and humid climate. Therefore, she needs her own home - a terrarium.

Terrarium for a land turtle

Regardless of the type, they must be spacious so that the animal can move calmly, they must have a substrate of sand, gravel, straw, pressed sawdust 5-7 cm thick. Since turtles in their natural environment live in hot areas, the air temperature in the terrarium is not should fall below +25°C. It is advisable to have a shallow tray with water in the terrarium so that the land turtle can sometimes carry out water procedures.

House for a land turtle

Since turtles sleep most of the day and prefer dark and secluded places for this, you need to build something like a house for them. This could be an upside-down flower pot with a slot, a wooden box placed upside down, or even thick cardboard folded into a shelter. It is better to give preference to materials that can be washed, since keeping a land turtle involves constant monitoring of the cleanliness of its habitat.

Land turtle lamp

A lamp for lighting and heating with a power of no more than 60 watts should be lit above the terrarium, as well as a fluorescent lamp to obtain the necessary ultraviolet radiation. The ultraviolet lamp must be replaced with a new one every six months. Keeping land turtles without lamps can result in health problems for the pet. Ultraviolet light is necessary for the absorption of calcium and a strong shell, and a regular lamp is needed to warm the air to the desired temperature.

Caring for a land turtle

Any land turtle needs proper care, which includes maintaining the cleanliness of its home, itself, and ensuring a proper lifestyle. So, how to care for a land turtle:

feed regularly and variedly in accordance with one or another habitual diet;
bathe in warm water every week - this gives land turtles great pleasure, in addition, it helps to increase appetite and good intestinal function;
take care of the claws - in captivity they do not have time to grind down as they grow, so they need to be trimmed periodically with a special nail clipper;
take it out for walks in the fresh air - on warm and sunny days it is very useful to give the turtle the opportunity to walk in the open air, but you need to constantly monitor it, since it can disappear from sight in the depths of the grasses in a very short time.

What to feed a land turtle?

A natural question for novice turtle lovers: at home? Their main diet consists of plant foods - berries, fruits, vegetables, grass. It is best to feed them a mixture of different ingredients - this way their diet will be varied and balanced. You can put food on a flat saucer, the main thing is that it is convenient for the turtle to eat from it. The vegetable and fruit menu in the summer can and should be diversified with clover, dandelions, sorrel, sprouted oats, and pea leaves.

Vitamins for land turtles

Vitamin and mineral supplements are desirable in the diet of land turtles kept at home. Carbonate, bone meal, ground eggshells, and glycerophosphate can be used as mineral additives. They should be given at the rate of 100 mg per 1 kg of animal weight. As for vitamins, the Central Asian domestic land turtle needs natural sources of vitamins A, B12 and D3. You should not give her oil preparations and vitamin D2. She must get everything she needs from food.

How to determine the sex of a land turtle?

It is definitely possible when she is 1.5-2 years old, that is, she has reached sexual maturity. Here are a number of distinctive signs by which one can judge the gender of a reptile:

Claws. In males they are thicker and sharper. This is necessary to stabilize their body during mating. Females have shorter and blunter claws.
Shell. In males, the lower part - the plastron - has a concave shape, in addition, they have spurs (skin growths) on the thighs. All this is connected with the need to stay on the female during mating. The shape of the shell itself is also somewhat different: in females it is round, in males it is oblong.
Tail. The reproductive organ of turtles is in the tail. The male's tail is larger and wider at the base, while the female's tail is short and thin.
Animal size. A land turtle at home is identified by its sex and size. Nature created the female larger because she needs to bear offspring. When several individuals of approximately the same age live in an aquarium at the same time, such a difference is obvious.
Eye color. Females have yellow eyes, males have brown eyes.