Turtle Adoption: The land turtle is an animal with many advantages. Easy to keep an animal that does not require strict care; you can have it in your garden at large …
The land turtle is often a springboard for child empowerment and is part of the “first” animals that children can have.
It seems that it is easy to take care of a turtle, but this pet requires adherence to certain rules regarding its nutrition, diseases, … Here is the information you need to know before adopting a turtle.
Let’s find out 7 important things to know before getting a turtle.
See also: Hedgehog: 5 main secrets about the animal hedgehog.
We respect administrative rules
Certain turtle breeds must be approved for adoption by the Veterinary Authority. The animal must be born in captivity (to avoid poaching and trade). Therefore, it is best to go to an approved breeder who will provide an invoice and certificate within the community.
Give your turtle a dose of light
Be sure to give her a vital dose of ultraviolet light daily. Exposure to natural sunlight or, otherwise, under special lamps that provide UV-B, will allow him to synthesize vitamin D, which is necessary for the absorption of calcium in the intestine (an important element for the development of the skeleton and shell).
She needs a suitable place
The turtle lives in a terrarium. However, it must include several places necessary for his family life.
First, you need to place the terrarium in a sunny location or, otherwise, under special lamps that deliver UV-B for vitamin D. This is an important factor in the development of the skeleton of its carapace.
Add to this a heat lamp to increase its activity. Like a snake, it is very sensitive to temperature changes.
Also, remember to provide a shaded area and a bathtub of water so that she can rest there if necessary.
This small animal is also sensitive to drafts, so be sure to set up its enclosure in a wind-protected environment.
The turtle is an animal that grows a lot throughout its life, so plan different magnifications to keep it comfortable at all times. Some turtles, especially in the wild, can weigh up to 500 kg!
We give him healthy food
There are carnivorous turtles (which will eat fish, crustaceans, or insects), herbivorous turtles (which will eat plants, fruits, vegetables), and omnivorous turtles (which eat both carnivores and herbivores). Therefore, we must determine the specific dietary needs of each turtle!
You have to feed him every day, but, of course, in small quantities, depending on his size. Consider changing his diet to avoid food shortages and giving him fresh food. Give preference to foods rich in calcium, which are essential for the hardness of the shell.
Temperature control
Like all reptiles, turtles are sensitive to ambient temperatures.
The activity of a land turtle depends on the ambient temperature.
Thus, she will have periods of activity as well as periods of sleep that will allow her to protect herself.
If your turtle lives in a terrarium, you need to help it have different life cycles with different temperatures. For this, it is advisable to use UV lamps and a heat source.
We select species well
Of the many species of land turtles, three are well adapted to our climate. Herman’s tortoise is the most common; it is primarily a garden turtle. The Levantine (Greek) and Bordeaux are two other turtles recommended in France. They vary slightly in size (about 25 to 40 cm for the Levantines and the bordeaux versus 15-20 cm for the Germans), in color (creamy yellow with black patterns for the German, dark with yellowish spots for the bordeaux, olive with black spots for the Greeks ) and their longevity (up to 100 years for the Levantine who lives the longest!).
He’s a lonely animal
The turtle is a solitary animal. She cannot live with another turtle or contact your dog or cat. Contact with other animals creates harmful stress for her. She prefers to live alone in a calm environment where she feels safe.