How to take good care of your sea turtle. Everything you need to know about turtle care at home

Turtles are becoming popular, the size of which is less than ten centimeters. But before you start them, you need to learn how to properly care for such small turtles.

Keeping small turtles: what should you pay attention to?

For small turtles, a small one is suitable, the water level in which should be up to twenty centimeters. It is necessary to remember one feature of such turtles: they are very fond of being at the bottom of the aquarium and walking on it, but they do not have gills for long stay under water, so it is vital for them to surface from time to time. Turtles do this to get the right dose of oxygen. Based on this, it follows that the water level in the aquarium cannot be very high, otherwise the turtles will not have time to surface for another breath of oxygen and will die.

The area of ​​​​the bottom of the aquarium is important - the more, the better. It is very good if both an island of land and a water part are present in the aquarium, this most optimally displays the necessary conditions life for little turtles.

What do little turtles eat? Their natural diet is plants, fish and shellfish. Mixtures of fish, shrimp and shellfish can also be used. Another option for turtle food is pieces of beef. Sometimes you can pamper your pets with lettuce and other greens, because plant food is also very important for them.

The following types of small turtles are distinguished: red-eared, marsh, long-necked and silt. The most unpretentious in content is silt.

Aquarium little turtles do not require much care, so they are ideal as pets for people who do not have much free time, but who want to have Living being at home.

There is a widespread belief that turtles are very easy to care for. Some even consider it a pet, which for a normal life is enough to give food and water. It's a delusion. Turtles are wild reptiles that take a long time to get used to the home environment, they need to be looked after and comfortable conditions created.

Quite often it can be found in houses and apartments. Some owners allow them to move freely around their living quarters, equip a separate place for food and drink (almost like for cats), and even try to teach them to use the toilet. That is, in this case, the animal is in free mode, but within the boundaries of the apartment, of course.

Is it correct? Most experts believe that this should not be the case.

Moreover, such freedom can be dangerous for the turtle. She can accidentally swallow household garbage, get stuck in a heating radiator, or catch a cold in a draft. There were times when the inhabitants of the apartment accidentally stepped on their armored pet ...

In short, to keep a turtle and take good care of it, you need its own territory.

Turtle terrarium: equipment

High-quality care for domestic reptiles is provided only in a terrarium - a glass box where the turtle walks, eats, sleeps. The terrarium may not necessarily be glass, but may be wooden box, For example. But it is desirable that one side of it be made of transparent material.

• a house for sleeping and relaxing (an inverted plastic or clay pot with a hole is fine);

• the feeder must be stable enough so that the animal does not accidentally knock it over (how to feed domestic turtle can be read in this one);

• drinking bowl with daily changed water for drinking;

• a heater to create a comfortable temperature in that part of the terrarium where the feeder and drinker are located (not lower than +26 degrees);

• a lamp with an ultraviolet lamp to simulate sunlight;

• thermometer for temperature control.

At the bottom of the terrarium, soil or bedding is usually arranged, which is often used as hay. In the summer, of course, this is possible and very convenient: it can be changed often. But in winter in urban conditions it is problematic to find hay.

You can put sand, but there were cases when turtles swallowed it. However, many owners of these reptiles cover the bottom of the terrariums with sand, and lay large flat pebbles on top. Many turtles like to dig into the sand, but pebbles are necessary for a very specific action: animals like to sharpen their long claws on stones.

About Turtle Hygiene

Proper care of a pet is impossible without maintaining a clean environment and personal hygiene of the animal.

Always keep the rooms clean and tidy. Owners often let their turtles go for walks, so you need to ensure that they do not swallow household garbage, as well as foreign objects lying on the floor.

The bottom of the terrarium should be cleaned of excrement daily, it is recommended to wash the feeder and drinker as often as possible. The water in the drinker should be changed every day, as fresh aqua is recommended for turtles.

All turtles are very fond of water procedures. Bathing is usually done once a week, but many experts advise washing armored pets as they get dirty. warm water for hygienic bathing (with a temperature not lower than +30 degrees) it is poured into a separate container at the level of 2/3 of the turtle's height so that the head is above the water surface.

How to bathe?

The shell, tummy, paws and muzzle are carefully washed with a sponge or hand, trying not to touch the eyes. Places of heavy contamination can be washed with baby soap. While swimming, you can see that the turtles really like it: they calmly allow themselves to be poured with water. Therefore, such a pleasant procedure for them can be carried out longer - up to 30 minutes.

After taking a hygienic bath, the pet should be wiped dry with a towel and released into the terrarium.

If you have brought small curious cubs of turtles in the house, then you can bathe them more often - three times a week.

Claw trimming

Although reptiles even at home try to sharpen their claws on their own, care must be taken that they do not grow too long.

Therefore, nail trimming should be regular. It is not difficult to do this either with the help of sharp scissors or with the use of a special nail clipper.

With this procedure, you must be careful: you can cut only the white edges of the claws, dark areas have blood vessels.

On the benefits of walking

On a warm, dry summer day at a temperature not lower than +25 degrees, it is recommended to take a walk in the yard.

You can take the turtle to a green lawn or grassy lawn and let it go for a walk on fresh air.

The location must be quiet and clean. At high level external noises, the animal can be frightened and hide under its shell. No need to make the turtle nervous.

Plants at the place of the walk should be edible - dandelion, clover, plantain.

If the turtle is sick...

As a rule, diseases occur due to improper care.

Injuries. The turtle can fall from a high place and get a fracture. In this case, you need to apply a splint or plaster and be patient, since the fusion process bone tissue may take a long time.

Carapace necrosis possible as a result of any mechanical damage. This is a rather serious disease that is treated very hard by constantly treating the affected area with disinfectant solutions.

Cold. While walking a pet may catch a cold. There may be a very strong runny nose, difficulty breathing. Veterinarians in such cases prescribe antibiotics, and for general strengthening of the body - a vitamin complex.

upset stomach A. Improper nutrition can cause diarrhea. It may be infectious or appear due to malnutrition(spoiled products, for example). In any case, you need to pass the feces for analysis and begin appropriate treatment after determining the cause of the disease.

If there is even the slightest suspicion of the occurrence of the disease, you should contact your veterinarian as soon as possible.

Caring for a turtle at home has a number of features, but in general it is not so complicated. You can even entrust this activity to children, but with periodic supervision by adults, of course. It is very interesting to observe the behavior of these leisurely animals. That is why the first acquaintance of children with pets very often begins with turtles.

A short video about keeping turtles at home:

The world of turtles is diverse: more than 300 species, united in 14 families. There are two main species according to their habitat: marine and terrestrial. Terrestrial are divided into land and freshwater.

At home, there are land Central Asian and freshwater turtles - red-eared (yellow-bellied), marsh, trionyx (). More about in a separate article.

Consider external features and the care of these species, exemplified by the red-eared (Trachemys scripta) and Central Asian (Agrionemys horsfieldii) tortoises.

The turtle at home is exotic, and its appearance is also unusual.

Animal body:

• head and eyes;
• beak and tongue;
• shell;
• color;
• limbs;
• tail;
• dimensions.

The head of these reptiles is streamlined and designed so that the animal is able to quickly pull it under the shell. In some species, the length of the neck is equal to the length of the shell.

These animals have a strong and hard beak with bulges inside, with sharp or jagged edges that act as teeth.

The function of the shell is protection. The dorsal (upper) part is called the carapace, the ventral (lower) part is called the plastron.

The size of a turtle is measured by the length of its shell. Determine the length with a ruler, despite the fact that the surface of the dorsal part is uneven.

Grow slowly throughout life. In adults, the carapace length is 20–30 cm.

The tail is hidden inside the shell. The tip of the tail in some species is pointed, similar to a spike.

Differences between Central Asian and red-eared in appearance

sense organs

Turtles have good low-frequency hearing and excellent color vision.

At red-eared turtles There is an excellent sense of smell and smell. They see both in water and above water. Hearing like cats: they distinguish between dull sounds, vibration. Nerve endings pass through the shell. Animals with touch - distinguish the taste of food.

Aquatic turtles are not adapted to breathe underwater, they swim up for oxygen.

Lifespan

The average life expectancy of these animals in natural environment 20–30 years old. In the conditions of keeping at home, subject to the rules for care, pets will live up to 40-50 years.

In captivity, these reptiles grow faster, as they receive quality food and a comfortable life.

When determining age, they are guided by size, and also count the number of rings on the shell. In one year, 2-3 rings are formed. But this growth is not uniform, it is affected by conditions of detention, illness, and hibernation.

In older individuals, the shell is smooth, annual rings are pale. The younger the turtle, the brighter its color.

Inappropriate maintenance and disease are the main causes of death.

In another article, we examined in more detail.

Turtle care at home

Arrangement of living space

Domestic turtles should not arbitrarily walk around the apartment. The maintenance of turtles requires the organization of a separate closed space for them: a terrarium or an aquarium with special equipment.

Scroll necessary equipment(for all types):

• room / container for keeping (terrarium / aquarium);
• ultraviolet lamp (for water UVB 5-10%, for land 10-12%);
• heater / lamp for heating;
• lamp;
• temperature control thermometer$
• stable feeder.

For land turtles, this list includes a house for sleeping and resting.

Additional equipment for aquatic species:

• 100 watt water heater;
• filter (internal or external);
• land/shore/island.

Although red-eared turtles most spend time in the water, organize a warm, dry place for them on land for relaxation and ultraviolet radiation. The turtle will not turn it over if one side is submerged in water. Material requirements for sushi: non-toxic, non-smooth, but rough, no sharp corners. Observe the following proportion: water - 3 parts of volume, land - 1 part.

In their natural environment, turtles climb on snags, stones, and stable objects protruding from the water. It should also be convenient for them to climb onto the artificial bank in the aquarium.

The required volume of the aquarium for the red-eared turtle is from 200 liters. The more spacious the dwelling, the healthier the animal.

For land, you need a terrarium with a capacity of 100 liters or more. Completely glass or made of wood, but with one wall of transparent material.

small house

In order for the pet to sleep peacefully, relax, hide, he needs a home inside the terrarium.

For the house, a ceramic flower pot, divided in half, with finished edges, is suitable. Use a plastic rodent house for this purpose or make it out of wood.

Priming

In terrariums, use hay as soil - it is easy to change. Do not pour sand on the bottom, as the animals will swallow it. A two-layer coating is laid: at the bottom - sand, at the top - large pebbles. The turtle sharpens its claws on it.

Do not put newspapers, building expanded clay, sharp stones, cat litter in the terrarium.

Aquatic turtles do not need soil. For aesthetics, put stones at the bottom of the aquarium big size. Gravel or other covering will not work, the animal will swallow it.

Water

Clean water, maintained temperature level - the most important thing in the content of aquatic species.

In the water, the red-eared turtle swims, sleeps, eats, goes to the toilet. To prevent accumulation of ammonia, nitrates and bad smell Change the water a couple of times a week. At the same time, do the filtering.

• 70% - plant foods (lettuce, cucumber, zucchini, nettle, algae, duckweed);
• 30% - animal (meat, fish, seafood, worms, insects, bloodworms, guppy fry).

Aquatic turtles are omnivores. Feed regular food and artificial food, fish food, aquarium plants and insects.

Feed turtles up to two years of age once a day. During this period, animal protein predominates in their diet. As the animals grow, the proportion of plant foods increases.

Vegetables are included in the diet, even if the animal does not show an appetite for them. The older it is, the more fiber is needed.

Adult feeding regimen: once every two to three days. Don't overfeed your pet. To maintain a balance in nutrition, special feeds have been developed.

Aquatic turtles use water to swallow because they do not produce saliva. They eat in the aquarium. It is better to feed them in a specially designated place, this will keep the home clean longer.

Hygiene

Room cleaning

Clean the bottom and walls of the terrarium from animal waste products every day. Wash eating and drinking utensils when dirty.

Aquarium aquatic turtle also needs general cleaning two times a month.

Bathing

Turtle care includes weekly water treatments. In a small container with warm water temperature of 30–35 degrees, lower the animal for half an hour. The head must be above the water. Wipe your turtle dry after bathing.

Claw trimming

During life, these animals grow a shell, beak and claws. Take care of your turtle's claws.

When the beak and claws grow to such a size that it becomes difficult for the animal to move and eat, remove them. For this procedure, special wire cutters are used.

With aquatic species of turtles, such actions are not performed.

Moult

Turtles are prone to molting.

In aquatic species, the separation of large scales on the shell and the change of skin occur regularly throughout life.

Land turtles change only the skin on their legs, this happens imperceptibly.

reproduction

In nature, animals begin mating games in March and June, and at home they mate all year. IN good conditions the female will lay 3-4 clutches of two dozen eggs per season.

Prepare a suitable nest for a pregnant female.

During pregnancy, the female spends more time on land, her need for calcium and UV rays increases.

Sex determination

In most species, females are larger than individuals of the opposite sex. The cloaca is closer to the tail and has a stellate shape.

In males, the tail is longer; the genital organ is located in it. Their claws are stronger, thicker, more curved; the plastron is curved, which helps with mating.

Red-eared turtles reach sexual maturity in a year because they grow faster than other species. You can accurately determine the sex in males at the age of 2–4 years, in females - 3–5 years. Then the size exceeds 10 cm. More details about in a separate article.

In Central Asians, sex becomes apparent when the age of the reptile reaches 6–10 years. You can distinguish a female from a male by the number of horny tubercles on the inside of the thigh. The female has 3–5, the male has one.

Handling Toddlers

Immunity in small turtles is not strong, they are prone to disease, sensitive to conditions of detention, among them there is a high mortality rate. Monitor the nutrition of newborns, adapt the environment for them.

For some time after birth, babies do not eat the food that is offered. They get their nutrition from the yolk sac on the plastron. Do not touch or delete it! When this bag is resolved, the little turtle begins to eat in the usual way. In the diet, the presence of food with a high content of calcium is mandatory.

Babies are very gentle, shy, easily fall into a state of stress. Protect them from unnecessary unrest, surround them with care. Do not pick up unnecessarily, do not stand over the aquarium, do not knock, do not make loud noises.

It is important to ensure a constant temperature for the cubs: for water 26–27 degrees and for air (land) 32 degrees. Keep the water clean, pass through the filter, change every two days.

Children of the red-eared turtle do not tolerate drafts, direct sunlight. Provide them with access to a place on land heated by a special lamp. Turtle babies are kept at more than warm temperature than adults.

Babies are bathed two or three times a week. The procedure for washing in children is the same as in adults.

Fights and aggression

Red-eared turtles are active, strong and prone to aggression. They try to dominate in the living space and attack turtles of other species and relatives, take away food from each other. They hurt, they bite.

If a new tenant appears in the aquarium, this provokes fights among sexually mature individuals. Males attack females, causing serious injury or even death. For this species of turtles, this behavior is normal.

Thoughtful care and maintenance helps to reduce aggression in turtles. Try to enlarge the room where they live, set limits, barriers inside the aquarium so that they cannot see each other.

Feed the animals one by one outside the walls of the aquarium in a special dining area. Or keep each animal in a separate space. Red-eared turtles love loneliness, live quietly without a mate.

Health and disease

Animal health is 90% determined by compliance with the rules for the care, nutrition and maintenance of turtles in a home aquarium.

Tips for keeping your pet healthy:

• for sick turtles, the temperature of the content is raised to 27-30 degrees (for immunity);
• maintain fluid balance, avoid dehydration (the turtle must be in the water, drink);
• in a sick animal, reduce the water level in the aquarium so that it does not drown (if the turtle does not swim well, it should be able to freely go ashore);
• if infection is suspected, isolate the animal, clean hands after contact;
• do not self-medicate, seek help from a veterinarian-herpetologist.

hibernation

In nature, hibernation is a reaction to adverse conditions. environment, cold and heat. Such a dream for animals helps to survive these periods.

At home, where they are comfortable, there is no need to hibernate. Don't induce sleep!

walks

Take turtles outdoors for a natural sunlight. Take it out to the courtyard of a house in the city, take it with you to your summer cottage.

For a walk, try to choose a dry, sunny, windless, warm weather. At temperatures below 25 degrees and other weather conditions, it is better to keep the animal at home.

Take your pet to a clean, quiet area with some shade and vegetation. She will gladly eat fresh clover, plantain, dandelion.

At the cottage for land turtle build a special paddock for walking, for water - your own pool.

When walking, ensure that the animal is constantly supervised so that it does not eat anything harmful, does not get hurt, does not run away. Protect it from insects, animals, birds, children, from overheating and cooling.

Arriving home, inspect the pet for wounds and contamination. If they get very dirty, wash them.

Precautionary measures

1. Aquarists advise taking the turtle carefully, holding it firmly with both hands. Gently: the animal hisses, bites, pours out the contents of the intestine.
2. The bacterial environment of a turtle is different from ours. They are carriers of salmonella. If you have touched an animal, be sure to wash your hands with soap and water.
3. Do not wash in kitchen sink your pet, as well as an aquarium and accessories.
4. Keep the aquarium or terrarium clean, do not let the food lie too long.

Purchase

Before you get a turtle, read the description of the features of care, purchase everything you need to ensure comfortable life. Be prepared for the additional expense associated with keeping turtles in your home.

After purchase, show the turtle to the veterinarian. He will determine the age, sex of the animal, examine for the presence of wounds, injuries, infections, diseases.

In a new place, the turtle will need an adaptation period to get used to it. Do not disturb her once again, provide proper care and nutrition.

If you are acquiring a new animal in a living company, organize a quarantine zone for the newcomer for three months. Do not place the cubs with adults, they will get injured. It is possible to unite in one space only similar in size and conditions of keeping animals.

Expenses

In addition to a terrarium or aquarium with additional equipment, a heating lamp, include in the cost of food good quality for examination or treatment by a veterinarian.

Conclusion

Approach issues related to their life support responsibly, this requires competent care and attention.

Red-eared turtles care and maintenance require relatively simple. Therefore, they are great for beginners. However, compliance with the temperature regime, the rules for arranging an aquaterrarium, the principles of walking and hygiene is extremely important and necessary. For a comfortable existence at home, red-eared turtles need not only a pool, but also warm land, where UV rays fall. The water where turtles spend most of their time should be at a certain temperature, clean and changed regularly.

IN natural environment Red-eared turtles love quiet freshwater reservoirs with dense vegetation and comfortable sandy shores. The conditions for keeping the red-eared turtle at home should be as close to natural as possible.

Home improvement for the red-eared turtle

Land in the Aquaterrarium

• Affordable and wide enough, without sharp corners and burrs.
• Have a rough texture. This is especially true for the ladder. The turtle should not slide when crawling onto the island. Care must be taken when using pebbles as a cover: poorly glued pebbles can be swallowed by a turtle.
• Strong and stable to support the turtle's weight.
• Absolutely dry, i.e. water should not be poured onto it so that the reptile can dry and warm itself.
• Be located no higher than 20 centimeters from the top of the aquarium, otherwise the turtle may escape.
• Well heated - heating and ultraviolet lamps should be located directly above the island, the temperature on land should be higher than the water temperature, approximately 30-32 ° C.
• From safe non-toxic materials - foam plastic and cheap plastic are not suitable for these purposes.
• With a properly located ladder, under which the turtle will not get stuck.

Such an island can be made by yourself or purchased at a pet store.

Priming

What should be the soil? The soil layer depends on the volume of the aquaterrarium, the thickness can be from 3 to 10 cm. Smooth materials are well suited sea ​​stones large fractions, artificial plants (for example, special grass), various driftwood, sand, etc.

Aquaterrarium lamps

The turtle does not really need lighting as such. Main function lamps are heating. Therefore, an infrared lamp is suitable as a heat source for turtles. At night, as a rule, it is turned off.

Correctly installed temperature regime and the presence of UV rays is hardly the most important points in caring for the red-eared turtle at home. UV rays are very important for the turtle, they help the reptile's body produce the necessary vitamin D3 and absorb calcium from food. In the absence of such a lamp in the aquarium, the turtle begins to suffer from rickets. They are installed, as a rule, at a distance of about 0.4-0.5 m from the animal. It should be borne in mind that over time, the power of the lamps decreases and they should be changed about once every six months.

Like a heating lamp, an ultraviolet should work for 10-12 hours. For adult reptiles, a 10% UVB lamp is used. Well established brands Repti Glo, Repti Zoo, Reptistar created specifically for reptiles.

Suitable lamps for the red-eared turtle are usually sold in pairs, so finding the right ones is not difficult. It is very convenient to use a special timer that will turn them on and off at a certain time. This is especially important for establishing the so-called. "internal clock", animal biorhythms.

Water

You need to filter and change the water often, because. dirt in the aquaterrarium is one of the sources of infections.

The amount of water should be such that the reptile can roll over freely, i.e. not less than the width of the shell. Better if there is more liquid. So the aquarium will stay clean longer.

Optimum temperature water for red-eared turtles - 22-24 ° C. Be sure to use a special thermometer. You do not need to trust your own feelings and check the temperature on yourself. If the degree has decreased, the water needs to be heated.

Over time, harmful substances accumulate in the water. This may cause an unpleasant odor. To avoid this incident, you should change the water by 30-40% 1-2 times a week with tap water that has settled for at least a day.

It is also mandatory to use external or internal filters. Regular water changes do not mean that filters can be abandoned.

Hygiene of the red-eared turtle

For washing, do not use hard brushes, it is better to use a soft cloth. Shampoo or soap is not recommended. If you notice a dark coating on the shell, it is most likely a fungus or algae. Buy a special remedy for reptiles and treat your pet.

If necessary, red-eared turtles trim their claws. This procedure is done with the help of special tweezers. In this case, the claw is checked for clearance so as not to touch the blood vessels.

It is advisable to clean the aquaterrarium at least once a month. The container and island are thoroughly rinsed baking soda, the soil is calcined in the oven, artificial plants and driftwood are also thoroughly washed and scalded with boiling water.

Handling of the red-eared turtle

Firstly, you must always take the red-eared turtle with both hands. So that the reptile does not accidentally slip out and suffer. It should be borne in mind that a melancholy pet may resist: bite, hiss and empty the intestines.

Secondly, after the turtle has been in your hands, wash them thoroughly with soap and water. This is especially true for children.

Third, the reptile should not have access to the kitchen and to those places where food is taken. Also, do not wash your turtle and its care products in the kitchen sink.

Walking with the red-eared turtle

The optimum air temperature is from 20 ° C in the shade. The lawn for walking should be clean, remote from the tracks. It is desirable that ordinary lawn grass grows on it.

Walking time - from 30 minutes or more. If the turtle is lethargic, tired, it should be taken home. No need to insist that the animal was under the sun. It is best to walk the reptile in the shade. A container of water should be placed in a conspicuous place. It is also necessary to ensure that the turtle does not become the prey of birds of prey or the object of the games of other pets.

Caring for baby red-eared turtles

The temperature of the habitat must be stable. For cubs it is recommended: water - 26-27°C and air - 32°C. Temperature fluctuations, drafts are not allowed.

The purity of the water is the key to the health of small red-eared turtles. Don't skimp on a good filter.

In many aquariums, you can find small turtles, the size of which does not exceed 10 centimeters. Their maintenance does not require special conditions, since a turtle aquarium is suitable for a small tank with a water level of up to 20 centimeters. Aquarium turtles like to walk on the bottom, but they do not have gills for breathing underwater, so they need to periodically rise to the surface for oxygen and the water level should not be too high. If the level is high, they simply will not be able to reach the surface in time and will die.

As an aquarium substrate various kinds For turtles, river sand with fine gravel is ideal, but most species can do without soil at all. It is advisable to place a couple of plants, as they will serve as additional food for the turtles and decorate the habitat of your turtles. In addition, such an aquarium will look better.

Turtles love to actively dig in the ground for food or shelter, so they can damage your plants. To accommodate them, you must use pots, or even limit yourself to small floating plants. Such small turtles are constantly in the water, and appear on the shore only when they lay eggs.

Even if you do not breed them, make a small island of driftwood or stone. Put a lamp over the island so they can climb ashore and bask in the sun. This is necessary due to the fact that all turtles are cold-blooded and their mobility is very dependent on body temperature.

The right aquarium for turtles should have large area bottom, the height is not the main criterion, since most turtles have enough water level of 15-20 centimeters, and an island above the water level is also needed in the aquarium. Most people keep turtles in aquaterrariums, which include both land and water. The use of an additional heater in the form of a powerful incandescent lamp or an infrared lamp is necessary for turtles.

Feeding aquarium turtles

In their natural environment, many species of turtles feed on various plants, fish or shellfish. Difficult all year round feed them only live food, so a mixture of minced fish, shrimp and shellfish can be used. Sometimes you can feed the turtles small pieces of beef. IN summer time the use of only live food is encouraged. Snails are best suited, which they easily gnaw through.

Turtles spend most of their free time hunting and foraging, so they definitely need live food that they can catch. In the absence of hunting, they can get bored and stop moving at all. Moreover, in live food a large number of phosphorus and calcium, which is vital for turtles for the strength of the shell. To do this, coral sand is poured into the ground, grains of sand from which turtles often eat. Turtles living in captivity often have softer shells, so eggshells can sometimes be added to the water, which will be useful to them for shell strength.

Despite the importance of live food and meat in the diet of turtles, they must be fed with plant foods to replenish the supply of vitamins in the body. Turtles can occasionally be given lettuce, cabbage, and other greens.

Aquarium turtles go to the toilet almost immediately after eating, so it is best to use another container for feeding. At first they will be against it, but over time they will get used to it. At the very least, this method will save you from the daily cleaning of the aquaterrarium, which will eventually turn into a real dump. When properly maintained, turtles only need to be fed once a day, although they may take several hours to eat.

In the same aquarium for turtles, only a female and a male can get along. The two males will constantly clash, and in the end, only one individual will survive. The stronger male kills or seriously injures the opponent, who soon dies. If you keep individuals of different sexes, it is sometimes necessary to take the female out of the aquarium, since an annoying male can get very bored with her.

Types of small aquarium turtles

Silt musk turtle

Silt musky aquarium turtle is unpretentious in content. This little turtle does not exceed 10 cm in length, it can be kept in a container with a bottom area of ​​​​at least 150 square centimeters filled with water 15 centimeters high. It is necessary to ensure that the water level does not exceed 15 cm too much, it will be difficult for the mud turtle to float to the surface. And of course, let's not forget about the island above the water where the turtle can warm up and gain strength.