I Bought a Baby Turtle Will It Get Big
Marie is a lover of everything about and inside of aquariums. Amid other friendly creatures, she has a turtle that she adores.
There's a lot of faux information most pet turtles that needs to be corrected.
I am going over a handful of wrong ideas about turtles as pets.
Imitation Notions Near Pet Turtles
- A turtle is a turtle; they all have the aforementioned basic needs.
- A wild turtle walking along on dry out country is upward for grabs.
- Turtles make great first pets for children.
- Turtles grow into their surround.
- You can learn everything about your turtle from a source or two.
All turtles are not akin. Did you know that map turtles are carnivores as adults?
Image past Kevin Phillips from Pixabay
Myth 1: A turtle is a turtle; they all take the same bones needs.
It is true that all species of aquatic turtles require UV-B radiation and need to live in an aquatic or semi-aquatic habitat, but diet, tank size, accessories, and growth rate differ between turtle species. Baby turtles start out the aforementioned size, but one species tin grow to be as big as sixteen inches across while other types can just abound to be 8 inches.
Near people think all turtles are herbivores or omnivores, when some are carnivorous, such as the softshell, mata mata, and map turtle. Scarlet-eared sliders start out as carnivores and turn into omnivores as they mature. Map turtles are known to eat some vegetation while they are hatchlings and become carnivores as they mature.
I detest that the word "turtle" is generalized when every species of turtle has its ain kind of needs. Don't look up data about turtles; look upwards information virtually your turtle.
Myth ii: A wild turtle walking along on dry out land is up for grabs.
In some states, it is against the law to capture a wild developed turtle and proceed it as a pet, but that'southward non my consequence here. The fact is, information technology'southward incorrect to capture a grown turtle on land because it is 99% probable to be a female trying to find a place to lay her eggs. Turtles never accept a reason to leave their aquatic homes unless they are either forced out of their habitat or a female person needs to bury her eggs.
What If I See a Turtle on the Road?
You can help a turtle forth if it's trying to cross a road, but I would non take information technology home with y'all and continue information technology as a pet. The female person turtle will suppress laying her eggs as long as possible during captivity, but somewhen, nature will strength her to lay them, and the eggs volition about likely die considering of the wrong habitat.
It is a 50% chance she has already laid her eggs before capture, merely why risk it? It's not healthy for the turtle'due south body to hang on to her eggs, and incubating turtle eggs is no like shooting fish in a barrel task. Incubation requires the perfect temperature, moisture, and covering (each species has its ain way of doing this). Some turtles tin can hang on to their eggs for nearly two weeks, but every turtle and turtle species is different. So if you found a turtle walking forth and yous nabbed information technology, take it back where you constitute it as soon as possible.
Turtles are sometimes perceived every bit easy pets for kids, but that's far from the truth.
Epitome by micahzeb from Pixabay
Myth iii: Turtles brand keen beginning pets for children.
I don't recommend pet turtles for almost adults, permit lone children. For some reason, parents have this mindset that the smaller the pet, the less responsibleness for that pet. That'southward why parents volition start their kids off with a fish before moving up to a hamster, and somewhen to a dog or a cat. Although a expressionless fish might exist considered less devastating than a dead dog, this idea of smaller equals less does not stand up truthful for all pocket-sized pets, specially for the turtle. I'll make the argument that turtles require more responsibility than a dog or a cat.
Why Turtles Are More Challenging Than Dogs and Cats
What does a canis familiaris demand from its master? It needs to be fed and watered, taken out for the occasional walk, and given affection from the owner (the fun task). How about a cat? It needs to be fed and watered, have its litter box changed once a calendar week, and, if it'south a long-haired breed, given the occasional brush (and affection, although perhaps non as much equally the dog).
This may sound too piece of cake, and I don't want to downplay the intendance of dogs and cats, but exotic animals like reptiles are a claiming and here's why: We don't just take care of them; we have to command every aspect of their environment. The space, the water temperature, the appropriate land area, filtration, chemicals, UV-B lighting, cleaning, even the whole arrangement of the setup is crucial for the turtle's health.
The bespeak is that reptiles depend greatly on their environment, which we have to put the about care into, while dogs' and cats' space do not require much, if any, attention. Get a litter box, a scratching post, and a doggy flap, and you lot're all ready. Meanwhile, the turtle's environment must constantly be tampered with. Turtles can hands die due to neglect, like filthy water and inadequate space. I strongly recommend parents abroad from turtles for their children.
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Myth 4: Turtles grow into their surroundings.
Infinite for turtles is essential. This is unfortunately overlooked by many pet owners, who assume whatsoever size aquarium they happen to have will work as long equally it looks spacious to them. I've seen turtles in aquariums that are simply too small and others that are mode too crowded for turtles. Keeping a full-grown red ear slider in a forty-gallon tank is the equivalent of keeping a golden retriever in a bathroom all its life. Not only will turtles get listless due to inactivity, but it has been theorized that turtles' growth can be stunted past keeping them in such small closures.
Stunting Growth Is Cruel
I once came across this sickening pet store site that encouraged customers to keep their baby turtles in a 10-gallon tank so that they can stay small and won't have to upgrade the tank. Even if this is truthful, stunting an animal's growth is cruel. They are meant to abound as much as nature intended, and I bet this is the reason wild turtles outlive captive turtles, despite getting all of their nutritional needs. Space affects wellness, so brand sure your turtle is in a spacious habitat.
Myth 5: You tin can learn everything nigh your turtle from a source or two.
Enquiry. I mean enquiry as many sites as you can about what kind of turtle you accept and its overall needs. One site or fifty-fifty a couple volition most likely not encompass everything you need to know. Cross-referencing is a must when looking up information on the web or even in books (particularly outdated ones). Never take one person'due south discussion for it.
When I looked upwardly information on my baby softshell turtle'south needs, a few said a x-gallon tank is the minimum while the bulk said 20 gallons. A few said six hours of UV-B radiation, while most said 12. One site would say something in the majority and so say something in the minority.
Do Your Homework Before Getting Your Pet
What it all comes down to is collecting all that you've learned and grouping together what they all have in common. The more sites you search, the more likely yous will exist right on your turtle'south needs. So don't go through one page of Google and say, "I'm done. I know what I need to know." I probably went through 20 sites, reaching vii or viii pages of Google. So practice your homework before getting yourself a turtle.
Turtles are rewarding pets for owners who put in the try to empathise their needs and run into them diligently.
Image by Sandy Karreman from Pixabay
Turtles Are Great Pets for Well-Informed Owners
Turtles can make great pets, but they are not cheap and piece of cake to maintain. Information technology takes piece of work and money to keep your turtle healthy and happy, and it should exist all worth it if you intendance enough. Remember, don't but have my discussion for information technology. Run into what others accept to say about keeping pet turtles; learn as much as you can near your animals.
This article is accurate and true to the best of the writer'southward cognition. Information technology is not meant to substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, or formal and individualized advice from a veterinarian medical professional person. Animals exhibiting signs and symptoms of distress should be seen past a veterinarian immediately.
© 2011 mariekbloch
Still The Same on July thirty, 2019:
I have had turtles all my life growing upwards in florida living in Tn. I take 3. One is 15 and other is 13 then grandkids gave me my last one for now hes two i similar to put them out in a bid turtle sandbox with rocks so they tin get dominicus put minnows in information technology they honey them. They go lettuce cabbage etc. They akso accept a sand box just in the house there in a l gallon aqurium i also go on minnows in the enough of rocks get them out and let em run around in the one thousand fenced in but continue an heart on them. They similar eatting buge i effort to go along information technology natural as pissible got all 3 when size of a nickle they Abound so remember they demand more than room and they need live when i got mine they became my loved ones just like my dog birds lizzards big frog from brizal now hes somethimg else loves mice crickets meal worms and jumping effectually the house he got away outside once but came to forepart door next day.
Please give your pets plenty of attition dear food time plenty of room. Savour your babies like i practice
mariekbloch (author) on November 07, 2018:
Instead of a glass tank, buy a large rubbermaid tub. They're cheap in comparing to tanks and perfectly safe for fish and turtles. However, if space is the issue and not the toll, you lot might accept to give information technology up to someone else who has the means.
Mia on November 03, 2018:
I have had my red eared slider for a year and a half now, I got him when he was the size of a quarter. My mom told me that I could keep them every bit long as he didn't take upward too much space. I know now that it isn't a good idea for children to have such high maintenance pets, only over the past year I take washed lots of inquiry on how to have care of turtles and I have learned so much, merely I withal take so much to learn and I'm trying really difficult. I have heard from many people that for every inch on your turtles shell they should accept 10 gallons for there tank. My turtles shell is three-five inches long and I am keeping him is a 10 gallon tank. I ask my mom if I can get a 20 gallon tank for Christmas and she said yep but one of my friend who I take messaged back in fourth with told me that he'south going to demand a mode bigger tank then that. My mom was hesitant to even say yes near a 20 gallon tank, and I know she would ever say yes to a 30 or 40 gallon tank. She doesn't sympathize that turtles demand lots of space. I intendance and then much about my pet, and I feel so bad that I can't provide for him what he needs. I don't know what to practise, and I demand some communication. What practice I do?
Mia on November 03, 2018:
I accept a had my red eared slider for a year and a half now, I got him when he was the size of a quarter. My mom let me have him every bit long as he didn't take up likewise much space. I am 12 now, and I know that information technology says that children shouldn't have such high maintenance pets, simply I did not know when I got him. I have done so much research on how to take intendance of a turtle over the time that I have had him, and I withal have a lot to learn. I have heard many people say that for every inch on a turtles shell they should take 10 gallons for the tank. My turtles shell is about 3-5 inches long and I am still keeping him in at x gallon tank. I know that information technology is terrible for his wellness and I am trying and so difficult to fix the problem. I asked my mom if I tin can go a 20 gallon tank for Christmas and she said yep, only a friend of mine that I have messaged back and along with told me that I am going to need a way bigger tank. I don't know what do. I don't want to ask my mom for any kind of bigger tank considering she won't understand, she's thinks that he will be fine in a small tank just I know that he won't be. If I can maybe become a 30 gallon tank I don't know if that would work or non. I care then much about my pet and I feel bad that I can't provide him what he needs. I need assistance, what should I do?
miss on April 01, 2018:
my mom has iii big turtles stuck in a 40gal tank and she thinks they wont abound anymore i am sending this to her considering if she wont listen to me then hopefully she will listen to you
Liam on October 21, 2017:
I've had a RES since I was almost ten. I took terrible care of it growing up. Sometimes he would go months without existence fed, his tank was e'er muddied, and he got beat out rot. I had the sole responsibility of taking care of him, and it wasn't until I grew up before I gave him favorable living weather condition. Never give a kid a turtle if the parents aren't going to take responsibility when information technology's necessary.
Source: https://pethelpful.com/reptiles-amphibians/Five-False-Notions-About-the-Pet-Turtle
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