Turtles as Pets – The need to Knows

Turtles as Pets – The Need to Knows

Turtles and tortoises are fascinating and relatively quiet creatures, so choosing turtles as pets is quite common. Before adding this shelled critter to your family, you might want to be aware of a few things. Dogs and cats are very popular companions because they show affection and are usually a size that a person feels safe handling. They can cradle them, pet them, play with them, etc. Turtles, on the other hand, are much smaller and have needs and personality traits that are the complete opposite. For one, they have a longer lifespan, so they’re a lifelong commitment, they’re cold-blooded, so their temperature needs to be regulated, and they have complex feeding requirements.

Overall, some species of turtles make better pets than others. They range in size and temperament, and they all have specific requirements for diet, space, and lighting. A turtle should be fed a number of different things since a varied diet tends to be a healthier one. They need sources of protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals, especially calcium due to the extra needs in their shells. Pet stores make a specific kind of pelleted food made for turtles that don’t disintegrate as quickly in the water, so that will be a big source of food for them.

At Strictly Reptiles, we want everyone to love and appreciate these animals as much as we do, so if you’re looking for turtles as pets, we carry all sorts of breeds and species should you choose to expand your horizons and add to your collection of animals. While our catalog includes beautiful turtles and tortoises, here some we suggest as great pets:

• Red-eared slider

• African Sideneck Turtle

• Eastern Box Turtle

• Western Painted Turtle

• Mississippi Map Turtle

• Common Musk Turtle

• Spotted Turtle

• Yellow-bellied slider

• Reeve’s Turtle

• Wood Turtle

These species tend to either be friendlier, more sociable, or widely available in general. They’re all relatively small, but they all need a fair amount of space. Some of them can be kept both in and outdoors. All in all, in order to care for turtles as pets, you need to keep their enclosures or ponds and shells clean and keep good filtration.

Aquatic turtles might contain salmonella and therefore aren’t always recommended for small children who might not know how to handle them. If you consider all these tips and ensure you have a safe environment for both pet and owner, you shouldn’t have a problem having turtles as pets. If you have any questions regarding the availability and variety of turtles and tortoises we carry, please give us a call at 954-967-8310.

Related Post: Reptiles and Supplies at Strictly Reptiles
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