Kagome100
03-14-2005, 05:23 PM
Prepping for a turtle
2/23/2005 5:00 AM
By: Capital News 9 web staff
Turtles are popular pets for people of all ages. Many find these hard shelled reptiles interesting to care for.
For the well being of your new pet, it is important to take them right home to ensure they will be stress-free. Have the new terrarium completely set up before you bring them home. Make sure your new family member is allowed enough time to adjust to its new home. Wait three or four days before you handle them and always supervise children when they interact with your pets.
And adult ornate wood turtle can reach about 10 inches in diameter. Be prepared to have a 30 to 40 gallon tank to give them enough room to grow.
The ideal day time temperatures for turtles should range between 75 and 80 degrees. The basking area should be about 90 to 95 degrees. The night time temperature should be 55 to 75 degrees and the humidity for box turtles should be near 65 percent.
All wood turtles require ultraviolet light to maintain good health and shell structure for 8 to 10 hours a day.
Wood turtles are omnivorous. That means they eat both plant and animal matter. Their diet should include vegetables and fruit plus insects and prepared foods. Most experts recommend dusting their food with vitamin calcium powder every other feeding.
A large shallow water dish is recommended to allow the turtle to soak without the risk of drowning. Make sure that the water dish is easy to enter and exit -- and change the water daily.
Remember, all reptiles need special care, so whether it's a snake, lizard or a turtle, you need to do some research before you bring them home.
http://www.capitalnews9.com/content/living/pet_pointers/?ArID=118917&SecID=255
2/23/2005 5:00 AM
By: Capital News 9 web staff
Turtles are popular pets for people of all ages. Many find these hard shelled reptiles interesting to care for.
For the well being of your new pet, it is important to take them right home to ensure they will be stress-free. Have the new terrarium completely set up before you bring them home. Make sure your new family member is allowed enough time to adjust to its new home. Wait three or four days before you handle them and always supervise children when they interact with your pets.
And adult ornate wood turtle can reach about 10 inches in diameter. Be prepared to have a 30 to 40 gallon tank to give them enough room to grow.
The ideal day time temperatures for turtles should range between 75 and 80 degrees. The basking area should be about 90 to 95 degrees. The night time temperature should be 55 to 75 degrees and the humidity for box turtles should be near 65 percent.
All wood turtles require ultraviolet light to maintain good health and shell structure for 8 to 10 hours a day.
Wood turtles are omnivorous. That means they eat both plant and animal matter. Their diet should include vegetables and fruit plus insects and prepared foods. Most experts recommend dusting their food with vitamin calcium powder every other feeding.
A large shallow water dish is recommended to allow the turtle to soak without the risk of drowning. Make sure that the water dish is easy to enter and exit -- and change the water daily.
Remember, all reptiles need special care, so whether it's a snake, lizard or a turtle, you need to do some research before you bring them home.
http://www.capitalnews9.com/content/living/pet_pointers/?ArID=118917&SecID=255