Q&A for How to Care for Turtles

Just like any other pet, turtles require a clean and spacious living environment, a heat source, a good diet, and fresh water. Different species of turtles have different needs, so I recommend you check with the pet store before purchasing a turtle.

First, make sure you have the right size enclosure for your species of turtle and put peat moss or soil down on the bottom of the tank. You'll also need a UV lamp to heat part of the tank, which will become a basking zone. Additionally, get a water filter to help keep your turtle's tank clean.

Some turtles walk up to your hand to show they trust you; others swim around your hand as a sign of affection and trust.

Common indications of illness include red skin, soft skin/shell, flaky skin/shell, or white spots on the skin or shell. There are many other symptoms, If you think he/she is sick, take it to the vet to be sure.

Male turtles are smaller in size. The 3 middle claws of a male turtle are usually longer than the others. All claws are equal in length for female turtles. A female turtle has a short and stubby tail but males have a long, sort of skinny tail.

Take him to the vet immediately! He might have a disease. The vet will provide you with the care your turtle needs.

Feed your turtle lots of fruits, vegetables, and some live insects and worms. Some good advice on feeding is detailed in this article under Part 4.

When getting a new turtle, handle it slowly and let it get used to you so that you don't stress it out. In the beginning, handle it only for short amounts of time while it grows used to you.

Try experimenting with different veggies to see what he/she likes. Some turtles are picky eaters. You can also take your turtle to the vet to see what's wrong with it.

It depends on turtle species. For example, red eared sliders need their tank to be around 26-29C (79-84F), and around 32C (90F) for the basking area.

If you just bought the turtle, it might not eat due to the stress of getting used to its new home. If it's been a few weeks, try offering the turtle some earth, grub, or mill worms. If the turtle still refuses to eat, seek a veterinarian's help.

Leave it alone. Wild turtles are often afraid of people and will become stressed and even die if taken in as pets. They also often carry parasites and other diseases that can sicken people or other animals in your home.

You can always name your turtle after one of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. You can also be ironic, and give him a name that is associated with speed, such as: Flash, Speedy, and Dash.

Most adult aquatic turtles prefer a 20 gallon-long tank. Add about five to ten gallons for each additional turtle. It should be made from glass and be able to hold large amounts of water.

Look up species of turtles online or in a book. You can also ask the store you bought the turtle from. Chances are, the turtle you have is already a known species.

Yes. If the two turtles are the same species of turtle, they should get along fine. If the two turtles start to fight or seem uncomfortable with one another, separate them immediately.

Female turtles can lay eggs without a male, but they're not fertilized. Since they're unfertilized, they won't hatch.

Look up pictures of turtles online or in a book, and find one that is most similar to the turtle you have. If you bought your turtle from a store, you can always ask one of the people working at the store.

It's probably best to return the turtle to the river bank. Pet turtles should be purchased at a store or from a breeder.

Turtles do stink a bit; as long as it's water is clean, it's normal.

Immediately take it to a vet.

Changing the water every 2 days will get old fast. Be careful about algae growing, though, as that is an issue I've faced recently. Certain type of algae can get turtles sick, so be careful. A good tip for keeping the tank clean is to feed your turtle in a different space than it's tank. Place it in a plastic tub and fill it with warm water to level it hunts at (my mud turtle is at 3-4 inches of water). If you can't move your turtle, try putting in only enough food for your turtle to eat in one bite. This helps minimize uneaten particles.

No, water heaters regulate the water temperature so it doesn't get too hot. A lamp would overheat the water and boil your turtle alive.

Male turtles commonly have a V-shaped shell if you're looking underneath them, and females usually have a U-shaped one.

Yes. Suckerfish are shy and will keep a distant company from turtles. Don't keep smaller turtles with bigger suckerfish.

It is better to keep it too warm than possibly too cold. Hold your hand in the tank and try to get a feel for the temperature. You should really try to get a thermometer so that your turtle will be healthy.

The people selling the turtle will tell you if you ask them. If you need to identify it yourself, see How to Tell If a Turtle Is Male or Female .

Your turtle has a parasite. Depending on the type of worm, these could be minor to very dangerous. Take him to a vet immediately, along with a live larva (if possible) and a stool sample. Set up a quarantine tank for your turtle, and be EXTRA sensitive to your hygiene after handling anything associated with your turtle or the worms.

I have a mud turtle, so the water level is only ever around 3-4 inches high. With this level, his water stays plenty warm with a normal heat lamp pointed at one end of the water. For more water, you should look into a tank heater.

You could read a lot about turtles and tell your parents what you have learned. Then, maybe your parents will let you get one.