Most pet lovers prefer to enjoy the company of warm-blooded fauna covered with fur and feathers. However, fans of the underwater world and want to make their home in an aquarium with fish too much. But those who choose terrariums and inhabit them reptiles, amphibians and insects, rarely meet. But if the snakes, spiders and scorpions make their pets run the risk of only one, then, for example, turtles, many factories without hesitation. They say the animal is completely safe, and caring for a turtle at home were not working.
But there it was! Having got the house as an exotic pet, newly minted cherepahovladeltsy faced with many problems. After the turtle, first of all, requires special conditions of detention, it requires a specific feeding. In addition, this animal has a feature go into hibernation, and all kinds of diseases it is not insured. So, having decided to make a turtle, you just have to arm themselves with the necessary knowledge.
Types of domestic turtle
The most common types of pet turtles - it Krasnouhov, Central Asian and wading. These animals differ from other pets very long lifespan. The comfortable conditions and with proper care they can live about thirty years.
In most cases, buying these pets in pet stores, we are the owners of krasnouhih turtles. This water turtles that spend most of their time in the water. However, they must be periodically selected to the land where the red-eared sliders are resting and walking. This species of turtles is different patterned shell coloring and special markings - red or yellow spots on the sides of the head.
Central Asian turtles are land lifestyle. This is a fairly large specimens, reaching a weight of one and a half kilograms. The length of the carapace have about twenty centimeters, and its color varies from light tan to dark shade of olive color. In nature, the Central Asian turtles are active for only about three months of the year. All the rest of the time they spend in burrows.
Bog turtles. These familiar, and not exotic turtles are widely distributed in Russia. And in our homes, they tend to go straight from the nearby ponds, bypassing the shops and markets. Just tempted by the opportunity to stay in their home such unusual pets, we do from animals of free pets. They do not differ very handsome (have uniformly dark armor), but it can boast of good health.
Some latter-day owners turtles mistake, believing that any kind of home dwellers requires standard conditions. Yes, of course, largely content requirements turtles are similar, but there are some differences.
Conditions of detention
Depending on the natural for different turtle (aquatic or terrestrial), the habitat they need to equip and appropriate conditions in captivity. For example, for the contents of any turtle terrarium or you need (and) aquarium. But ...
For water red-eared sliders will only fit a spacious aquarium or aquaterrarium of not less than 100 liters. In addition to the water here has necessarily to be an island of land. It's best to buy a special island with sloping descent, rough surface and a large area of the island. The size of the surface of the island must be at least a quarter of the total area of the whole aquarium. There also need to install the lamp, under which your turtle will bask. Aquarium filled supernatant water, which change every month.
To keep the Central Asian land tortoise you need a spacious cage with a ground system and maintain the temperature and humidity. Comfortable temperature for these turtles - 25-28 degrees. A layer of soil must be thick enough to ensure that your turtle can dig it. In addition, in the cage, you must install the lamp. In the summer you can walk the tortoises, and if there is an opportunity for them to equip outdoor aviary.
Bog turtle is fine aquaterrarium same as for krasnouhih. Only the water in the aquarium should be much less, since the nature of these turtles are found in shallow waters. Above the island of land also need to install the lamp, under which the turtle could be heated. Eat bog turtles in the water, here they defecate. So the water in the tank for the marsh turtle should be changed more frequently.
As for the lamps for turtles, it must be an incandescent lamp as fluorescent and UV lamps do not heat. A feature of the turtles have to fall in the winter in hibernation. However, for the successful experiences of this period, the turtle need special conditions to the constant maintenance of the desired temperature. Therefore it is better not to give their pets stowed winter in hibernation. To do this, just need to raise the temperature in the terrarium or aquaterrarium as soon as notice that the animal became less active and began to refuse food.
Feeding
Among the tortoises there are quite harmless herbivores, there are carnivores, and there are those who do not give up, and on plant and animal food. Therefore, getting home the bug, be sure to find out what type of food needs of your pitomitsy.
For example, red-eared sliders need protein food. So feed them bloodworms, minced meat or special kibble. Note that only the meat of turtles can not give or they get sick rickets. Therefore, to include in their diet of fish (boiled) and add a green salad menu, young cabbage leaves and pond algae. Feeding krasnouhih turtles under the age of two years, carried out daily, and more than the adults give food two or three times a week.
Central Land turtles feed coarse fiber plant foods. Perfectly suited for their food nekrahamlistye root vegetables (carrots, beets), lettuce, cabbage, hard grass, dandelion leaves, zucchini, apples. All these fruits and vegetables (except lettuce and cabbage) must be ground on a grater, and then put in a feeding trough, and after a couple of hours to clean up the remains of food from the terrarium.
Bog turtles - predators, although some of them are omnivores. Therefore, the basis of their diet should be protein food. It is best to feed them earthworms, bloodworms close, fishpond snails, fish and meat. But if an adult bog turtle can be given a whole fish, or small pieces of meat, the young turtles feeding this food need to grind, slicing small narrow strips, similar to worms.
Health
In contrast, the same cats, dogs, birds and even turtles are in a constant and careful care not needed. Basic care for these pets is reduced to the timely and proper feeding and cleaning the aquarium or terrarium. However, for example, Central Asian land turtles also need to periodically cut the claws and beak. However, the need for this arises only when the litter in the cage is not firm enough to grind claws naturally. This procedure browsing turtle paw on clearance. If the tips of the claws are transparent, they can be cut - this is part of the excess regrown without blood vessels. Cut the nails with the help of pliers. Also cut and the edges of the beak, which then leveled nail file.
In addition, the tortoises need periodic bathing. This procedure is necessary not only for hygienic reasons but also for the maintenance of the water balance of the body turtles as they drink through the skin. Once a week a bug placed in the bath for twenty minutes or thirty. Water should be soft, without the addition of detergents, and a temperature of about 30 degrees. In the water you can add a decoction of chamomile, and in the moulting period and baking soda. And do not forget that this tortoise, so while bathing her head should remain above water.
Red-eared sliders, if necessary, cut only the claws and beak, do not touch. Marsh turtles not shorten any beak or claws. So all hygiene procedures for these turtles are reduced to a change in the water and clean the aquarium.
Contraindications
In the care of turtles, as well as the rules of their content, there is a kind of taboo. Violation of these prohibitions may lead to very dire consequences, so as to treat a sick or injured turtle is very difficult. And to animals kept at home, are not exposed to potential danger, remember that it is impossible to do.
Do not feed the carnivorous turtles with only one protein feed. Be sure and give them plant food.
Do not give herbivorous turtle meat in any form. Feeding meat will lead to irreversible changes in the liver, and even death of the animal.
You can not keep turtles (all!) Without an additional source of heat.
You can not keep turtles in aquariums without islet land. They can simply drown.
You can not keep a tank (terrarium) animals of different sizes or more males. Inevitable injuries and fights.
You can not keep turtles in the free-range. This is dangerous length of their life and health.
Do not feed the turtle food from the table (without comment) and special feed for other animals.
In short, do not put in the content of all turtles that can badly affect their health or danger to their lives. And how could it be otherwise? After all, we are responsible for those who tamed.
We advise to check: Guinea pig: care and maintenance
