My Pet | My Hobby

Introduction:

Turtle and tortoise are adorable cute pets. They are really tiny, if you adopt a baby turtle or tortoise (also called hatchling). They don’t occupy much space but they move around a lot. They can be sheltered in an aquarium that may be filled with rocks where baby turtle can spend time in dry area as well. Similarly, you may keep them outdoor. Hatchling require much attention and care in their early life. You have to make up your mind before adopting them as a pet because their life span is like 25 years or more therefore you have to take care of them for their entire life.

Some people avoid them as kids around pet turtles or tortoises can get sick with salmonella disease. But still there are Hobbyist who love reptiles and they have several of them in their care.

Ten Factors to consider before adopting turtle and tortoise:

1. Thorough research:

Do a thorough research and select a specie carefully as they are supposed to stay with you lifelong. Avoid just adopt a wild specie without any knowledge of its breed.

2. Specie selection:

There are several species of turtle or tortoise to choose from and most favorite one is snapping turtle. There are others like green turtle, musk and mud turtles and so on.

Macro picture of a hatchling

3. Proper space and living conditions:

If you are keeping hatchling in an aquarium, then find some stones or small rocks where it can enjoy dry place as well. For large ones, you have to provide them with enough place to explore.

4. Maintain temperature exactly like their natural habitat:

Maintain their natural temperature in the aquarium or water source and outside as well. Study about natural habitat of specie of your pet and that would help you maintaining environment as natural as possible.

5. Food:

Pelleted food is mostly available along with canned food. Turtle can be fed the portion of leftover raw fish or green vegetables and as tortoises are herbivorous so you can easily feed them green leafy vegetables that you eat (but avoid the cooked one) and some fruits.

6. Feeding schedule:

Feeding schedule is not daily but depending on the size of turtle, you may have to feed them at least four times a week.

7. Hygiene and health:

They don’t need shower but the aquarium or water source where you keep them should be changed regularly. If you don’t maintain clean water or space for turtles, then that would be unbearable for you. Turtles don’t speak so you have to realize it and try maintaining the place clean and healthy.

8. Protection:

Due to hard shell, they can avoid most of the predators but till they need a careful eye of the keeper.

9. Time to visit a vet:

If you feel that your pet is not taking feed that is sign of sickness and time to see a veterinarian. Similarly, if the color of shell is changed or if there are some unusual signs of their normal behavior then do take them to vet clinic.