Water Turtles
Turtles all bear some resemblance to each other but they may have differences in how they live, with one example being water turtles. Water turtles can bring hours of passive entertainment to their owners, and even provide a health benefit for them by relieving stress. Before becoming a water turtle owner, it is a good idea to learn more about them to determine if they would be a good pet for you.
One distinguishing feature that sets water turtles apart from their land dwelling cousins is the webbing on their feet. The webbing helps them to easily maneuver their bodies through the water while swimming, yet also allows them to “walk” on the land. In most other respects, the aquatic creatures resemble land dwellers in body types.
A turtle’s habitat in captivity should be as similar to their natural habitat as possible. Even though water turtles must have water in order to survive, they also require dry land where they can sun themselves when they wish. When setting up your pet turtle’s home, remember larger is better. Water in an aquarium is fine as long as there are also dry areas for the turtle to pull itself. The water should be as deep as the turtle is wide and kept clean at all times. The temperature of the water should be kept constant, without becoming too warm or too cold, and should include a calcium block for your pet’s shell health. Water turtles must feed when they are in the water to assist in swallowing. Following the proper diet for the pet, feed when the turtle is already in the water, being sure to remove any additional uneaten food to keep it from fouling the water.
Water turtles also require sunlight. If you are able to take the turtle outside in natural sunlight daily, be sure to also provide a shady area for the turtle to retreat to if the sun becomes too warm. If natural sunlight is not an option, supplying a light with a UVA/UVB bulb will be a good substitute for water turtles. Without the valuable benefits of sunlight, your pet turtle can become ill, so daily “sunbathing” will keep your pet happy and healthy.
If your pet does become ill, it should be separated from any other turtles with which it may share space. Common ailments of water turtles are shell fungus, bubbly nostrils, soft shell, swollen eyes, or gasping noises. Contact a veterinarian that is knowledgeable in treating water turtles immediately if any of these conditions afflict your pet turtle. Fast treatment should result in a full recovery.
Experts believe that stress in humans melts away when they engage in an activity such as watching fish or turtles swim and cavort. Simply gazing at these water turtles in their properly maintained habitat can have a calming effect on the owner and provide a happy, healthy home for the turtle.