Shell-lebration Time: Top Tips for Turtle Care
Posted - May 22, 2024
By Carol Bryant, Professional Pet Blogger
World Turtle Day is celebrated every May 23rd, but ZYMOX® “shell-ebrates” turtle care year-round, and we aren’t alone. According to the American Pet Products Association (APPA), at least six million U.S. households own a reptile, which includes turtles.
Turtles make popular pets because they are strong, personable, and can tolerate a variety of housing conditions. Reptiles Magazine says four pet turtles that make great pets include the three-toed box turtle, the Eastern box turtle, the ornate box turtle, and the red-eared slider.
Like most pets, turtles need care, a regular feeding schedule, a clean enclosure or living space, clean water, and veterinary visits. Wondering how to care for your turtle? Here are our top tips for turtle care so your reptile is happy and healthy for years to come.
Decide Which Turtle is Best for You
Many turtles can live long lives, including the box turtle, which can live into its 80s. Turtles are cold-blooded, so they must live in a tank or enclosure between 60 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Most turtle owners use an aquarium heater and a basking light.
Turtles Need Space
If you talk to a qualified turtle breeder, they will tell you that the bigger the turtle, the bigger the tank or space needs to be. On average, turtle tanks should be five times the length of an adult turtle.
Turtles Like To (But Shouldn’t) Eat Rocks
As a child, I remember our turtle trying to eat rocks in a tank we housed him in. My parents learned that if a turtle eats rocks, they can get very sick. Since all turtles like and need to bask, ensure any rocks or gravel pieces are bigger than the turtle’s head to prevent problems.
Turtles Get Boo Boos
In addition to shell fractures and skull injuries, turtles are affected by cuts, abrasions, and irritated skin. Keep ZYLAFEN topical solution or ZYLAFEN topical spray on hand for your turtle’s needs. The LP3 enzymatic system is a natural, cleansing remedy safe for all reptiles. Since turtles carry salmonella, use caution and wash your hands when handling them for treatment or care. 
Change Water Regularly
Aquatic turtles are fun, and many beginners enjoy them. With proper care, including maintaining their tank, they can live between 15 and 25 years. Aquatic turtles produce a decent amount of waste, so use a high-quality aquarium filter. Changing 50 percent of your tank’s water at least weekly is recommended, with complete water replacement after a month. Use water testing kits to determine the quality of your turtle’s environment.
Pay Attention to Your Turtle’s Health
Like all reptiles, turtles should have regular veterinary care. Some signs that your turtle should see a veterinarian include:
- Lack of appetite
- Not drinking
- Discharge from the nose, mouth, or eyes
- Weight loss
- Hiding a lot
- Runny turtle droppings
Use Caution Where You Handle a Turtle
Turtles should not be lifted by their legs. Instead, lift them gently at the midsection. Instruct any children in the family the dos’ and don’ts of proper turtle handling and care.
Feed A Proper Diet
Turtles are omnivores, meaning they eat plants and meat. Most turtles eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, and animal products. Animal products include cooked meats, insects, beetles, grasshoppers, crickets, and mealworms. Turtles like
pears, bananas, apples, and things like grapes, tomatoes, and peaches.
Keep Turtles Where They Are Happiest
Don’t constantly remove turtles from their tanks, which can adversely affect their immune systems. Keep other pets, such as dogs and cats, from access to the turtle’s tank or enclosure.
Fun Facts About Turtles
Turtles can be a cool pet, but they are also fascinating. A turtle’s shell comprises at least 60 different bones, including the ribs and part of the backbone. For this reason, a turtle cannot crawl from its shell.
While they move slower, turtles have an incredible sense of smell to help them find food. They sense vibrations and water pressure changes, which helps them locate food and avoid predators in the wild.
Turtles can eat thanks to their beak-like mouths to grasp food. However, they do not have teeth. Baby turtles start eating meat, but they eat more plants as they grow.
According to Greenpeace, a turtle’s gender is determined by its location in the nest. More specifically, a female is born if it’s warmer than 28–29ºC. If it’s colder, a male is born. You can tell a turtle’s gender by looking at its tail, shell shape, eye color, and claw length. Males tend to be smaller (four inches), have longer front claws, darker coloration, and a longer, thicker tail than females. As you can see, turtles make interesting, fun, and hearty pets for the right person. We shell-ebrate your journey with these amazing reptiles.
