When people think of pets, they normally think dogs and cats. They don’t normally recall images of reptilian pets like turtles. Yet these little shelled creatures hold a special place in many pet-owners' hearts. Box turtles are one of the most common reptile pets in the United States, and can live 30 to 40 years if they are cared for properly. Sadly, a lot of people neglect their pet turtle’s needs because they are not sure how to care for them. While a turtle may be a relatively low-maintenance pet, that doesn’t mean that this small creature can be ignored. In fact, there are many components to taking care of turtles that you will need to keep in mind if you want a happy and healthy pet.

For one, you should keep your turtle in at least a twenty-gallon aquarium. Anything smaller than this is too tiny for your pet and will cause him or her to have adverse health effects later on. You will want to get the biggest enclosure that you can afford and fit in your home. The larger the box, the happier your turtle will be. You should fill the bottom of your aquarium with bedding. Normally, large wood chips with peat moss is perfect because it reflects the turtles’ normal habitat. You will want to pick bedding that can stay somewhat moist, because dry floors will cause your turtle to developed cracked and dry skin. It is important that you provide your reptile with a small hide box where he or she can be out-of-sight and in the shade.

You should keep the aquarium temperature at approximately 60 degrees Fahrenheit at night and warm it to 70 or 80 degrees during the day. You can do this by using a heat lamp or regulating the air in the room where the aquarium has been placed. You will also want to give your turtle a shallow water dish where it can get in and take a bath or take a drink. The water should be no deeper than your turtle’s chin when its head is in the bowl and partially retracted. You will want to clean out this water every day because it can often get dirty. It’s important to note that though box turtles may like water, they can’t swim well. If you place your turtle in a swimming pool or pond, it may drown.

When it comes to feeding your turtle, you will want to give the animal a delicate balance of fruits, veggies, and protein. Protein for turtles normally comes in the form of crickets, earth worms, or other bugs that you can buy at a pet food store. You may also purchase a protein chow for your turtle, but it must be soaked in water before you give it to your pet. You will also want to provide your turtle with fruits like tomatoes, strawberries, cherries, pears, etc. They also need veggies like leafy cabbage, lettuce, broccoli, and more to stay nice and healthy. Make sure to chop all fruits and vegetables into tiny pieces so that your turtle won’t have a hard time eating them.

Make sure your turtle is getting adequate vitamins in the food that it is eating, including Vitamin A. You should feed an adult turtle at least three times a week, and dust food with calcium carbonate or another calcium powder before one feeding. If you believe that your turtle is sick because of irregular diet habits, changes in personality, or another reason, then you should contact a local vet and bring your turtle in for a check-up. While turtle medicine is limited, a veterinarian may be able to diagnose your problem and suggest dietary supplements or medications that can make your pet better in no time.