Small aquatic turtle care at home. Red-eared turtle, how to make friends with it

A seemingly harmless creature, but she is a real predator. Therefore, she will have to be fed animal food.

Basically, water turtles are fed with various insects, earthworms and snails - all this can be bought at any pet store. The animal should be given meat at least once a week. It's best to find out what kind of meat your turtle prefers. Some enjoy eating beef, others love chicken, but not a single representative will refuse fish. It is advisable to pre-cook the fish and remove small bones so that the turtle’s body can easily digest the food.

It is advisable to fortify the food. Calcium is especially beneficial for aquatic turtles and can be given once a week.

As turtles age, they switch to a “vegetarian diet.” Therefore, the older the animal, the more often it is worth adding various vegetation, in particular algae, to the diet. How often you need to feed your turtle also depends on its age. The young need daily food, while the adults have enough food for three days.

"Interior" of the aquarium

Even though turtles spend most their life in water, they still need land. Therefore, there must be an “island” with, which will warm the area of ​​the hill. This “island,” like all the soil, should consist of sand or gravel.

Be careful, turtles are childishly curious; everything that is within their reach will definitely be tested. Therefore, make sure that the “grains” of the soil are large, larger than a turtle’s head. It also follows that it is useless to move other residents in with turtles: and.

The aquarium needs to be maintained constant temperature at 25°C, changing the water every time (provided that it is installed). It is advisable to have thermometers that will give you information about the temperature. Please note that turtles can only feel comfortable in a large aquarium, so take care of this before purchasing an animal.

Age

Before you decide to have a turtle at home, think about the fact that this is one of those few animals that can outlive a person by several years.

From the article you will learn about the most suitable types of turtles for keeping at home, their feeding characteristics and care. Not all turtles are cute, harmless creatures; some species are quite aggressive and less suitable for keeping in a home with small children.

"I'm lying in the sun!" - she sang like that big turtle in the cartoon we all love. Of course, large turtles - a rare event in our houses and apartments. But the variety of small, cute representatives of the turtle genus makes it easy to choose the pet that is right for you.

Conditions for keeping turtles at home

Here we will look at the so-called aquarium species turtles: aquatic and semi-aquatic. Before buying any turtle, first evaluate your capabilities: unpretentious by nature, these creatures still require some effort on the part of the owner for a high-quality, long life.

Be prepared for a turtle to live between 10 and 50 years, depending on the species.

However, quite often this animal dies within a couple of years from ignorance and the unwillingness of people to create the necessary conditions for it.

• spacious (volume from 100 liters);
• an ultraviolet lamp for heating the island (all turtles love warmth, bask with pleasure under the lamp, for some species this is vital; the lamp also allows the turtle to grow);
• creating an optimal living space - 2/3 of water and an island of land in 1/3 of the total area of ​​the aquarium;
• filter for water purification;
• quality food.

It's worth remembering that freshwater turtles- first of all, extremely voracious predators, so you shouldn’t put them in aquariums with fish, as the latter will be eaten in the first hours.

Now let's talk about the species themselves.

red-eared

This small green-brown turtle with red cheeks, brought to us from America, is the most frequent visitor to aquariums.

Its unpretentiousness, bright appearance, omnivorous nature, and semi-aquatic lifestyle attract many aquarists. The length of the carapace in females reaches 30 cm; males are almost half as long (up to 15 cm), but have a thicker tail and powerful claws.

Feeding such a turtle is not difficult. In captivity, it can be fed fish, finely chopped raw meat, worms, mice, small frogs, snails, as well as plant foods (vegetables, apples, bananas, algae).

All products must be given exclusively in raw form. To diversify the diet, you can also use special dry food for turtles.

For this reason, it is better to keep these reptiles separately from fish and aquarium flora - very soon they may remain the only inhabitants of the aquarium.

There is an opinion that musk turtles can only live in shallow water. It's a delusion. Like all semi-aquatic reptiles, they need a sufficient amount of water and an island on which they can rest and warm up.

This species received its name due to its very interesting way protection from predators - in case of danger, an odorous secretion is released from the glands located under the turtle's shell. Local population jokingly calls these animals “stinkers.”

Musk turtle.

Trionix Chinese

This creature cannot be called cute. Despite the very unusual appearance this animal, do not rush to have it at home: this inhabitant of Chinese and Japanese freshwater bodies is very aggressive.

In addition, the individual is listed in the Red Book and is prohibited for sale, which, however, does not make it a less common product in pet stores.

Trionics are not exactly turtles in the traditional sense of the word. The fact is that, in addition to the elongated proboscis nose, these turtles are unusual in that they do not have a hard bony or shield shell - their carapace is soft, leathery, brown or greenish in color, up to 20 cm long.

In Asian countries, trionics are bred or caught in special pools because of their exceptional taste.

The meat of these reptiles is a real delicacy that is very expensive.

If you nevertheless decide to get a Trionix, try to buy a very small individual: this will give you a better chance of accustoming the animal to captivity and reducing its natural aggressiveness. A wild, wild-caught adult Trionix is ​​completely unsuitable for keeping at home.

This soft-bodied reptile destroys all stereotypes regarding turtles: even some species of fish can envy its reaction speed and speed of movement. This predator feeds mainly on fish, crustaceans, and carrion.

At home, it needs a spacious aquarium with a volume of 200-250 liters, as well as a thick layer of soil, since it likes to bury itself in the sand in rivers and lakes in nature. The island should be heated to 30-32°C, the water - to 22-25°C.

Chinese albino trionics.

Caspian

A flat-shelled turtle with an oval-shaped carapace of brown or green-brown color. A slight contrast is created by yellow stripes on the limbs and head. Ideal for keeping in home aquarium big size, because in nature it tries to stay close to water and is undemanding to its parameters and quality. However, the cleanliness of the environment still needs to be constantly monitored.

The reptile is omnivorous, feeding on both meat and plant foods. Lives up to 30 years. If you want to get offspring, the Caspian turtle should be put into hibernation (November-March), although in general hibernation is not necessary - the turtle feels great in constant conditions. comfortable conditions. The ratio of land and water is 1/3.

Caspian turtle.

Silt (tadheaded)

A small but very unusual turtle. Disproportionately big head and the paws, combined with the small oval-shaped shell, make her look like a dwarf among the turtle people. The length is rarely more than 18 cm.

It has false teeth that can penetrate deeply when biting and cause serious damage. Therefore, it is better to admire mud turtles from a safe distance and not touch them unless necessary.

They are not as demanding on the volume of the aquarium as other types of turtles: 60-100 liters are enough for loggerhead reptiles.

It feeds mainly on raw food of animal origin. Can be fed with dry food.

Bolotnaya

Despite its rather unprepossessing appearance, the marsh turtle is a fairly common inhabitant of home aquariums.

• Firstly, such an individual is easy to buy.
• Secondly, it is not difficult to care for.
• Thirdly, it feeds on both fish and plant food.

It is exclusively freshwater. With good care, it grows up to 35 cm. Does not require large volumes of water: in nature it can stay away from water for a long time, feeding on land.

The marsh turtle needs a spacious (from 100 liters) aquarium with a fairly large island - it can occupy up to 50% of the area. The temperature is the same as for all other types: 27-32°C.

Whatever type of turtle you choose, remember: good care, attention and care will allow you to admire a healthy and beautiful pet long years!

Swamp turtle.

The world of turtles is amazingly diverse. Very tiny and huge, land and water, brightly and effectively colored and having completely inconspicuous colors - all these reptiles inhabit our planet. Today we will talk about what it means to keep aquatic turtles at home.

The family Emydidae includes about ninety-five species, grouped into thirty-three genera, which live in freshwater bodies of America, Europe, Asia and North-West Africa. Many aquatic members of the family have bright color, beautifully colored head, legs and shell.

Today we will focus on two types of these animals, which are most often bred at home. This Far Eastern Trionix and the red-eared slider. These are cold-blooded animals that need warmth, a balanced diet, with the obligatory addition of vitamins and minerals. We will talk about what to feed a water turtle at home a little later.

Red-eared or swamp individuals are kept as pets. They are distinguished by their small size and relative ease of care. Despite its small size, this reptile lives for quite a long time.

Such pet They are started by both experienced aquarists and beginners in this business. Red-eared water turtles at home do not cause much concern to the owner. They are small in size and have a fairly long lifespan.

The reptile got its name from the two spots that are located on the sides of the head. They can be yellow, deep orange or bright red. The length of the shell can vary from 11 cm to 60 cm. This depends on the age of the turtle. It has an oval-round, streamlined shape. The entire shell is covered with horn-shaped plates-scutes. The toes end in sharp claws and are connected by membranes. The head is covered with soft skin.

The main factors that contribute to the comfortable keeping of reptiles at home are temperature, lighting (including ultraviolet radiation), and water filtration.

Another representative of water turtles that aquarists love to keep at home. Trionix is ​​a soft-bodied reptile with long neck, which distinguishes it from other representatives of a large family. Its paws have three toes with sharp and strong claws. The structural features of Trionix are due to its aquatic lifestyle. They spend most of their time buried in soft soil. This may be silt, fine sand or small stones. In this way they lie in wait for prey.

Water turtles at home first of all need an aquarium. An aquaterrarium should become their home. It must be horizontal, and its length must be at least twice more height, since for this type of reptile the area of ​​their “house” is more important, not the volume.

Turtles grow very quickly, so choose a spacious aquaterrarium so that your pet can move freely in it. The water part should occupy about 2/3 of the entire area. It is advisable to make the “shore” of the pool flat, as in natural conditions, so that your pet can easily go to the island of land.

The size of this island depends on the size of your pet. It should fit completely there freely. It is necessary to take into account that the island must be shaped in such a way that the water flowing from the turtle does not stagnate on it. It must be made of non-slip materials. Today, such islands can be offered to you in pet stores. This will save your time on its construction.

An aquarium requires a water purification filter and an ultraviolet lamp. Without ultraviolet light, turtles do not absorb calcium well. The bottom of the aquarium is laid out with pebbles or coarse soil. The reptile will definitely taste the soil with its teeth, so the size of the pebbles should be larger than the turtle’s head. When purchasing, find out what breed it belongs to. Depends on temperature regime water in the aquarium.

It is impossible to oversaturate the terrarium with light, but you should not skimp on lighting. Water turtles kept at home especially appreciate the sun. They vitally need additional ultraviolet radiation, since its lack can provoke the development various diseases. Today, such UV lamps can be selected from a huge range of products from domestic and foreign manufacturers. They have different power and price categories. The choice of lamp depends on the volume of the terrarium, the number of turtles living in it, etc. Pet store sellers will give you detailed advice. But experienced aquarists recommend purchasing such devices with five percent UVB.

Water turtles spend the whole day in the aquaterrarium. At home, your pet can only be placed in another container with water while cleaning or feeding. You should not let him go on the floor, as the animal may get some kind of infection or be injured.

Proper care of a water turtle at home involves installing a powerful filter. Even if it is available, you should not forget to partially or completely replace the water at least once a week.

The aquaterrarium must be equipped with good ventilation. But don't confuse ventilation with drafts. These reptiles are very afraid of them, they can get colds.

This question worries many lovers of these cute animals. It should be noted that it must be taken very seriously. What you feed your water turtle at home determines 80% of your pet’s well-being and life expectancy.

The diet should include low-fat raw fish, no sharp bones. It is cut into small pieces, depending on the size of your pet.

You shouldn’t limit yourself to just fish. It should be alternated with seafood, aquarium snails. Turtles will not refuse beef liver or earthworms.

Occasionally you can diversify your diet with chicken or beef. All products are given raw. For adult turtles, plant foods can be added to the menu. These can be lettuce leaves, pieces of pear, cucumber or apple. But most often, water turtles at home eat special dry food, since it contains a perfectly balanced content of all essential vitamins and microelements.

Pets that are less than ten centimeters in length should be fed every day, and individuals exceeding this size should be fed no more than three times a week. The portion is calculated based on the amount of food that the animal eats in thirty to forty minutes. During feeding, it is advisable to place the animals in a special container with water, so as not to clog the water in the turtle’s permanent home. We hope you have learned what aquatic turtles eat at home. These tips will help keep your pet healthy for years to come.

Most often, aquatic representatives of the family feed on perishable food. In addition, the natural excretions of animals heavily pollute the terrarium. Previously, owners of such pets had to change the water several times a week. Now, thanks to the fact that modern filters are on sale today various designs, caring for them has become much easier.

For a small aquarium with small specimens, a regular internal filter equipped with a sponge will be sufficient. Today there are many such filters that are suitable for small bodies of water. They do their job perfectly and purify water from small and medium-sized dirt particles.

IN Lately appeared and became very popular special devices, significantly simplifying the care of aquaterrariums. These are “biological filters”. They use special bacteria that remove nitrogen compounds.

In addition, the pet store will offer you specialized fillers, which, as a rule, are made foreign manufacturers. They are helping for a long time maintain water in ideal condition and prevent the development of bacteria in it.

If your turtle is not cared for properly, your pet may get sick. The owner should be very attentive to the appearance of symptoms such as:

• crooked or soft shell;


• swollen or constantly closed eyes;


• peeling of the skin;


• lack of appetite;


• runny nose.

A sick pet moves little, spends a lot of time on the island of land, and often refuses food. In such cases, you cannot hesitate - he urgently needs to be shown to a veterinarian. To treat a turtle, you will need to find a specialist who deals specifically with these animals, since it is difficult to diagnose them.

Caring for a water turtle should be a pleasure for the owner, only in this case both the person and the animal will be satisfied. If you are too busy at work, and therefore circumstances do not allow you to give the turtle the attention it deserves, hold off on purchasing it. Otherwise, keeping such a cute pet will turn into a boring chore for you, which will lead to illness and even death.

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water turtle – favorite pet. It doesn't take up much space. Unlike cats and dogs, it does not damage furniture.

With proper care there is no smell, no allergies. You can get a turtle for those who have children. They may be happy to help you care for your pet.

HOW TO CARE?

• Aquarium. The most optimal would be a glass aquarium with a capacity of 150 - 200 liters;
• Water. The level for a small turtle should be 10 cm; as the pet grows, it should be increased. In general, you need to pour more water than the width of the shell. If the turtle ended up on its back, it could easily roll over. If there is no filter, then it needs to be changed at least once a week. It is better to use filtered;
• Temperature. Water should be from 20 to 27 degrees;
• Land. Although turtles are called aquatic turtles, they cannot stay in the water all the time. A flat stone is suitable for the island (it should be boiled before use), you can use gravel or decorative stones for aquariums. The main thing is that the ball is tilted for the turtle’s comfort. Sushi size - slightly larger size shell;

• Lighting. The sun at home can be replaced by an ultraviolet lamp. This is necessary for full development and growth. The distance between the aquarium and such a lamp is 1.5 m. It is enough to turn it on 2 times a week for 5 minutes, subsequently increasing it to 30 minutes. To warm up, it’s not bad to use regular table lamp. To avoid burns, the distance between the island and the lamp should be 30 cm;
• Walk. You should remove your pet from the aquarium from time to time, and in summer you should take it outside.

Video: proper care

What should you feed?

Before feeding, give the turtle a chance good to warm up, which helps improve digestion.

The diet should be varied and balanced. A very small turtle can only be fed with special food; small crustaceans are suitable - gammarus And shrimps. Calcium is required for shell development.

To do this, you can give clean and crushed eggshells or shell rock. Feeding is carried out twice a day, gradually switching to single meals. It is enough to feed turtles that have reached 2 years of age 2 times per week.

Always introduce new foods gradually. Along with crustaceans, you can later use dried marbled cockroaches, crickets or locusts.

You can give turtles both fresh meat and fish. But not often and in small portions. It is better that the meat is not fatty or boiled. Liver should be given once a week, it contains microelements necessary for life.

Plant foods are also very important. In nature, turtles eat big amount grass and algae. If you can’t buy seaweed, at home you can use lettuce, fresh cabbage leaves (pour boiling water), clover, dandelions, cucumber, carrots and watermelon rinds.

From fruits: apples, pears and bananas. It is good to add sprouted wheat and sunflower seeds to your diet. The turtle must chew, to avoid jaw deformation. Apple or pear branches are perfect.

Never leave leftover food in the water!

Hibernation

Turtles sleep in nature in winter within 5 months. Her body's activity slows down and she barely breathes.

At home, sleep only reaches up to three months. A week before hibernation, the turtle should stop feeding and then be moved to a container with damp moss and a lower air temperature.

At home great need for hibernation No. It will be enough for your pet to sleep several times a day.

DISEASES

• Redness and swelling of the eyes- the most common disease. Occurs when proper nutrition or from very dirty water. For treatment, foods that contain carotene should be introduced into the diet. Swimming should be reduced to three hours a day. Eyes must be carefully treated with a 3 percent solution of boric acid. Additionally, lubricate with antibiotic-containing ointments;
• Softening the shell– the shape of the bones is disrupted, thickening appears. The turtle becomes lethargic and moves little. Must be given small fish along with the bones. Add ultraviolet light;
• Pneumonia- arises from too cold water or proximity to drafts. A very serious illness that can lead to death.

If a turtle sits sluggishly in one place for two days or cannot emerge from the water, should showveterinarian. In this case, only a specialist can prescribe treatment.

Emergency aid - warming over a solution of pharmaceutical chamomile.

Video: content

How big does it grow?

Turtles are born no larger than three cm in size. The first two years are a period of intensive growth, turtles grow up to 7–10 cm. Then they grow a little slower. An adult turtle in captivity can grow 25 – 32 cm. Adult males significantly fewer females. For comparison, in nature their relatives can grow up to 50 cm.

HOW LONG DOES IT LIVE?

Common at home is red-eared turtle. In optimally created conditions for life, she can live up to 40 years old. And if you have marsh turtle , then her life period is shorter - maximum 25 years.

If you decide to purchase a turtle, remember that we are responsible for those we have adopted. And let it become for you good friend for many years, and not just a pet.

Many people, when deciding to have a pet, choose a turtle. Water turtles are in greater demand for this purpose than land turtles. The main species kept at home are the red-eared turtle, the musk turtle, the swamp turtle and the trionix turtle.

When choosing an animal, you need to take care of its proper nutrition and creation necessary conditions for a full life.

Pond slider

The red-eared aquatic turtle received its name due to its “ears.” These are yellow, orange or red spots located on both sides of the head. The size of the reptile is average, 18-30 centimeters depending on gender and age.

The round-oval, streamlined shell is covered with horn-like plates-scutes. The armor pattern is very unusual - green and white wavy lines and spots. The turtle's fingers are connected by membranes and have sharp claws at the ends. The head is covered with a hard stratum corneum.

The animal has a well-developed sense of smell and vision, but weak hearing. Red-eared water turtle good conditions contents can live for thirty years.

Trionics

The soft-bodied turtle has a long, thin neck and webbed fingers with sharp claws at the ends. The shell does not have hard horny plates, its length is 30-40 centimeters. The top of the shell is brownish-green with yellowish spots; below it has a yellowish color. small in size with a dark line from the eyes to the neck. Males and females can be distinguished by the length of their tail; males have it longer.

A distinctive feature of this turtle is the presence of a proboscis with nostrils. The turtle weighs no more than four kilograms.

Turtles of this species like to rest during the day, burying themselves in sand or small pebbles; they are active at night. The water level in the aquarium should allow the animal to reach the air without getting out of the sand.

Trionics are predators and must be kept separately from other turtle species. Turtles of this species live for 25 years.

Musk turtle

This is a small aquatic turtle with a shell length of 8-10 cm, in rare cases - 14 cm. The color of the musk turtle is unusual - the body is a uniform dark shade, and the neck and head have bright stripes light color along the edges of the shell. Males have a longer and thicker tail, in addition, they have scales on inside hind legs, which are necessary to hold the female during mating.

This type of turtle is very unpretentious; they eat absolutely everything. Life expectancy is up to 55 years.

Swamp turtle

The bog turtle is a pronounced predator. It has medium dimensions (10-35 cm), body weight can reach 1.5 kg. A long tail, which serves as an additional rudder when swimming, keeps the animal in the correct position.

The shell of a turtle can be dark olive, dark brown, brown or black, and has small streaks, dots or yellow spots. The iris of the eyes is orange, reddish or yellow. The fingers are webbed with sharp long claws.

The turtle is a good swimmer and can stay under water for a long time. He is very afraid of drafts, so you should not overuse walks around the house.

To create optimal conditions for a pet, when purchasing, you need to ask what region it is from, whether it lived in captivity or was caught in the wild. In addition, it is necessary to clarify the conditions of detention and temperature conditions that are suitable for this type of turtle.

Aquatic turtles should be kept clean at home. Bacteria that develop when not properly cared for can cause illness in your pet.

Aquatic turtles grow quickly, so the water in the terrarium must be constantly cleaned and changed. It is necessary to use water that has settled for 24 hours or install water filters.

Caring for Aquatic Turtles

Carapace aquatic turtle needs regular cleaning of algae growth. Cleaning must be done carefully to avoid damaging the turtle's shell.

You should not keep your reptile in water all the time; this can be harmful to its health. The turtle also needs to stay on land.

The water temperature in the aquarium should not exceed 21 degrees. The aquarium can be illuminated with simple or ultraviolet lamps.

The turtle is fed food of plant and animal origin. To avoid diseases, food should be varied. Young turtles are fed daily, starting from the age of 3 - three times a week.

Water turtles are afraid of the cold. In winter, to warm them up, you need to use a special ultraviolet lamp. The animal must be warmed up three times a week. In summer you can place the aquarium on Fresh air, while ensuring that it is not exposed to direct sunlight.

How to choose an aquarium

For a young small turtle, you can choose an aquarium at a pet store; for an adult, you will have to make it to order.

For a turtle to live comfortably, the aquarium must be quite spacious. Be sure to cover it with a lid so that the animal does not escape.

Inside the aquarium you need to arrange a small island that the turtle can easily climb onto. A lamp is placed above it to warm the water.

A large aquarium for a water turtle should be equipped with a special filter to purify the water. It changes as it gets dirty.

How and what to feed aquatic turtles

Feeding a water turtle requires attention Special attention. An animal that is free can get what it needs on its own. A water turtle at home is completely dependent on its owner. Reptiles need a balanced diet, with all the elements necessary for the body.

The turtle is fed during the day, during its activity. An adult turtle can be given beef and chicken, and sometimes fish.

What to feed aquatic turtles when they are still small? To feed small reptiles they use bloodworms, earthworms, and tubifex. In addition, this animal's diet should include various beetles.

A growing turtle can be given plant foods. This could be algae, duckweed, lettuce or dandelion leaves.

You should not give your turtle more food than it can eat. Residues may settle to the bottom and rot, in which case the water will have to be changed daily.

Communication with turtles

The turtle is a smart, active and sociable animal, but communicating with it is somewhat difficult due to its habitat. But you should not let your pet out for long walks around the apartment, as the animal may become hypothermic, dry out, swallow some object, get stuck in a crack, or get injured.

But you can hold the turtle in your arms, stroking or scratching it, which will give it pleasure. However, you should be careful, as many aquatic turtles are predators and can be aggressive.

It is necessary to tame the animal gradually, allowing it to get used to the owner and new living conditions. Once accustomed, the turtle itself will strive to communicate and react to your appearance.

Basic mistakes

It is very difficult to treat a reptile, so keeping aquatic turtles must be correct; for this you need to remember some features:

• The water in which the animal is kept must be clean.
• The turtle must have a gentle exit to land, as it breathes air and can drown.
• It is necessary to monitor the air temperature. If an animal is cold, it may refuse to leave the water, and this is harmful to its health.
• Several males should not be kept in one aquarium.
• Large and small species of turtles are kept separately.
• After handling your pet, you should wash your hands.
• You need to remember to be careful when communicating with aggressive species turtles.
• If you notice that the animal's shell has become soft or crooked, the turtle refuses to eat, its eyes are swollen or constantly closed, the skin is peeling, or a runny nose appears, you should contact a veterinarian.

If you provide your pet proper care, feeding and disease prevention, it will delight you for many years. Do not forget that you are not purchasing a toy, but a creature that needs care and attention.