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Is this type of pet for me?
If you decide to get a water turtle, the first thing you need to do is plenty of research to make sure it can survive.
When you first get your water turtle, it's usually the size of a quarter! You need to keep the turtle in a clean environment,
and if you have chlorine in your water, you will need to get a bottle of drops to treat the water.
A small bowl will serve its purpose in the beginning, but you will want to switch to a small aquarium, to allow your turtle
to exercise. Also, you will need to set up an aquarium light, with a way for your turtle to get to a rock, or support of some
type, to get some light. This is the turtle's way of "sunning herself". It is enjoyable and healthy for your turtle
to do this whenever it feels like "sunbathing". We have a wooden setup, with a large river rock anchoring it. Our
turtle swims up to the rock, climbs up, stretches out, and enjoys herself. Make sure your setup is well thought out! You don't
want anything to fall onto your turtle. It has to be something secure, and something that your turtle can easily access. If
you keep the water level even with the sunbathing apparatus, your turtle should have no problems, whatsoever.
For food, purchase some floating turtle pellets. These can be bought just about anywhere. Start with about ten pellets,
but if your turtle eats all those and is still splashing around, by all means, feed it more. The turtle will quit eating when
it is full.
OK, now for the words of caution. First of all, turtles can live a long, long time! That is good for a pet, but you have
to decide if you are willing to commit to this type of longevity in a pet. Secondly, the turtle will grow to fit its environment.
We got our turtle a larger aquarium a few years ago, and she grew to a whopping six inches wide and eight inches long! Obviously
that means replacing filters more often, and purchasing food more often, also. Just be aware of this. Lastly, if you have
a water turtle, you won't be able to have fish in the tank with it. I've been advised by my veterinarian and my pet store
professional, that the turtle WILL eat whatever you put in the tank with it. Due to ethical reasons, I've never tried this.
I just decided to take the words of the pros!
If, in the unfortunate event, you decide you no longer want to keep the water turtle, never, never release it into the
wild!! It will not be used to living like that, and can cause problems with the ecosystem. Check your resources for someplace
like a zoo, with an aquatic exhibit, to see if they'd take your turtle. If not, then they should be able to refer you to the
proper sources.
Just be good to your turtle, and enjoy the water show!
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