DESCRIPTION OF THE TURTLES:
The particularity of these reptiles is their distinctive shell.
This capsule is made up of bones and epidermis, and has openings for the head, tail, and legs. The rings that cover the shell indicate the development of the animal, but not the age.
Turtles have leathery and waterproof skin, which protects them from dehydration and possible injuries. However, as they do not have sweat glands, they must avoid the strong midday sun so as not to overheat.
The mouth of these reptiles does not have teeth, but their jaws are designed to bite down on plant foods and to catch their prey.
TYPES OF TURTLE:
Currently 313 species and 200 subspecies are known.
The biodiversity of these reptiles, which have been inhabiting the Earth for more than 220 million years, is very varied.
This ranges from small water turtles, which inhabit lakes and ponds, to huge species of land and sea.
Many of these species, despite the number of years they can live, are today in danger of extinction for various reasons.
Therefore, if you are considering acquiring a turtle as a pet, it is important that you find out its origin and refrain from protected specimens.
Also keep in mind that not all types of tortoise are suitable to keep in the home.
Tropical species require a great deal of effort in terms of care, which makes them not suitable for the inexperienced.
A good option are those that are easy to maintain, such as the painted turtle or the red-eared turtle, both water species, and the Egyptian or Mediterranean turtle, which are terrestrial.
HABITAT OF THE TURTLES:
Turtles can be found on all continents, but far from the poles.
Here they live both in tropical forests, lakes and ponds as well as in deserts, brackish water areas and seas.
Water species inhabit lakes, ponds and rivers, while tortoises live in areas that can become very arid.
HOW TO CARE FOR A LAND TORTOISE:
Gopher tortoises are usually quite small and slow, however they love to explore and need plenty of space to do so.
Therefore, it is not suitable to keep them only in simple terrariums.
What these animals need is an enclosure with enough variety, in which they can climb, burrow and warm up.
To calculate the minimum space that these species need, you must multiply the length of the shell by five, both for the length and width of the terrarium.
Keep in mind that the more the animal grows, the more space it will need.
IN GLU GLU PET OF WE HAVE THE FOUR BASIC ASPECTS FOR THE INSTALLATION OF THE TERRARIUM:
SOIL:
The floor of the terrarium must be equipped with a substrate that does not produce dust.
This prevents irritation of the respiratory tract.
You can use gravel, river sand, or natural compost made from bark, which are perfect for these tortoises.
As a complement you can add some leaves or hay.
Keeping this in mind, you will create a perfect space for your reptile to dig and burrow.
A BATHTUB:
Turtles love having a bathing option, which they also often use as a water bowl.
That is why it is recommended that it be easy to clean and change the water.
For small species, a small bowl is enough.
HIDING OPTIONS:
In their natural habitat, tortoises look for hiding places to rest and sleep.
Therefore, these types of dens must also be available in their new home.
THE FEED:
Since turtles are creatures of habit, they like to always eat in the same place.
That is why it is advisable that you choose a suitable place in which to put fresh food every day.
TURTLES ARE SOLITARY ANIMALS:
In their natural environment, gopher tortoises are usually solitary and do not need company.
However, you can have them in pairs or small groups, but you must bear in mind that the sex of the turtles cannot be determined exactly until after a few years.
In groups with several males, tension and rivalry tend to be created.
To avoid this and taking into account that turtles are quite long-lived, you can choose to acquire adult turtles.
Groups made up of several females and a single male are ideal for coexistence in harmony.
HIBERNATION:
Although this does not affect all species.
European species look for a place to hide and spend the winter.
Those found in warmer climates, such as Morocco, are active even during the coldest months of the year.
European gopher tortoises winter, depending on weather conditions, between the end of October and November, and do not come out of hibernation until the weather is warmer.
If your pet is sick, it is advisable to avoid or delay the process.
If you are thinking of acquiring one of these copies, you should do it before August, since the preparation for the dormancy begins in September.
Three months before hibernation, your tortoise should be checked for parasites and disease.
To do this, all you have to do is take a stool sample to a specialized veterinarian.
This test is vitally important, as these reptiles do not usually survive the lethargy of being sick or weak.
If necessary, you can delay hibernation a bit so that your turtle gains strength.
In cases of free-range breeding, there is no need for as much preparation for hibernation.
However, in terrariums, light hours should be reduced to four per day (this varies by species) one month in advance.
It is also important that the temperature at night is cool.
So the reptiles will reduce their food intake, and at some point they will stop eating altogether.
If you keep your tortoises in a terrarium, you need to regulate the temperature and reduce daylight hours before they start looking for a place to hibernate.
Note that these vary by species.
During the three to five months these animals hibernate, they may be disturbed at most twice, to weigh them and make sure all is well.
HOW TO CARE FOR A WATER TURTLE:
Due to their small size, water turtles are perfect for raising them in terrariums.
However, these must be large.
You can have some species in the garden pond in summer, and put them to winter at home.
In case you are considering buying a painted turtle, which can grow from 10 to 15 cm, an aquarium of 80 cm is sufficient. However, other species require larger aquariums.
At Glu Glu Pet we can inform you about this exactly.
The aquarium must have diversity and opportunities so that the water turtles can both sunbathe and hide.
For this it is good to equip them with floating islands, rocks or wood, as well as non-toxic plants.
The oxygenator and filters guarantee a good quality of water, while the fluorescent tubes for aquariums provide the ideal light and warmth for these animals.
TURTLE NUTRITION:
The land turtles are vegetarian and their menu consists of wild herbs, fruit and vegetables.
If you have them outside, they will feed on the countless plants that grow in the garden or in the vegetable garden.
Considering that turtles enjoy a varied diet, you can add some vegetables.
Due to its fructose sugar content, the fruit is best offered only on special occasions.
Although tortoises eat hay, what they like best is fresh food.
This is why you should always offer them fresh herbs or lettuce, even in winter.
Since commercial lettuce is high in pesticides, it's best to opt for homegrown.
To ensure that your turtle assimilates enough calcium, it is good that you give it chemical-free eggshells, lime powder or cuttlefish bones.
Water turtles have quite a different diet.
They feed on live or frozen food based on snails, slugs, earthworms, worms, grasshoppers and crickets.
However, you can also give them freshwater fish (such as smelt), small mice or rats, cockroaches, mealybugs, and shellfish.
Duckweed, algae and water lilies are ideal to complement your diet.
Cuttlefish bones are also perfect for supplying the need for calcium and keeping the shell of these turtles healthy.
However, you should always offer the lime separately and make sure not to sprinkle it on the food.
This could cause an overdose and lead to illness.
If you feed your turtle with whole fish, that is, with the skin, bones and viscera, the daily need for calcium and vitamins should be covered.
Turtles know when their calcium level is low. If you provide them with cuttlefish bones, they will be able to fill this gap on their own.
LIFE EXPECTANCY OF TURTLES:
If you are thinking of acquiring a turtle to keep at home, you should consider that they are very long-lived.
A small tortoise can reach 70 years, and a medium-sized one even up to 120.
Although terrapins don't get that old, they are still long-lived and not suitable for keeping "just for a couple of years."
