Introduction to Aquatic Turtle Care

Home , Mississippi map turtle, Painted turtle, Sea turtle

There are over 300 turtle species worldwide, including roughly 60 types of tortoise and 7 sea turtle species. Turtles are found on every Basking area: aquatic turtles need sufficient continent except Antarctica, living in a variety room to leave the water, dry their shells, of climates from the tropical regions of Cen- and regulate their temperature. tral and South America through the temper- Incandescent light fixture heats the ate parts of the U.S., with a few species in o- o) basking area (typically 85 95 to UVB light fixture for illumination; essential southern Canada. provide temperature gradient for vitamin synthesis in turtles held indoors The vast majority of turtles spend much of their lives in freshwater ponds, lakes and riv- ers. Although they are in the same family with North American pond and river turtles, box turtles of the U.S. and Mexico are primarily A filtration system terrestrial. to remove waste Tortoises are primarily terrestrial with differ- and prevent ill- ent habitat and diet requirements and are ness in your pet covered in a separate care sheet. turtle

Underwater decorations: logs, driftwood, live or artificial plants, rock piles or other hiding places. Submersible thermometer to ensure water temperature is in the correct range, generally mid 70osF; varies with species, age and time of year

 A small to medium-sized aquarium (20-29 gallons) is ample for one adult of a smaller species Western painted turtle. Painted turtles (e.g., mud, musk). Larger species (sliders, cooters) may need tanks 100 gallons and larger. occur throughout the U.S. A medium-  Increase your tank size if you are housing multiple adults or species. sized pond turtle, this species gets its name from its colorful markings.  Active swimmers such as painted turtles need a larger tank with deeper areas; mud turtles are bottom crawlers and water 6-8 inches deep works well. www.PIJAC.org

Aquatic Turtle Health Consult a reptile veterinarian if these symptoms per- sist after adjusting water quality and diet.  poor appetite, listlessness: may indicate intestinal parasites  open mouth breathing, nasal discharge: may indi- Mississippi map turtle, one of Red-bellied cooter. Cooters are Yellow-bellied slider. Sliders cate respiratory infection due to low temperature 13 map turtle species (two larger turtles (13 inches) and are pond turtles with several protected under the Endan-  shell rot/deformities: may indicate wrong diet or include both river and pond spe- different species and subspe- gered Species Act). Map tur- poor water quality cies. Red-bellied cooters are cies in North, Central and tles are river species and need omnivorous while river cooters South America.  swelling in eyes or head: may indicate vitamin A ample swimming and basking are primarily herbivores. deficiency. space.  discolored skin or plastron (lower shell): may indicate poor water quality Aquatic Turtle Diet  Supplement commercial pellets with preferred food items, for example, carnivorous mud Avoiding Human Illness turtles appreciate earthworms, snails, mealworms, and crickets; adult cooters should be fed Reptiles, including turtles, may have bacteria, such aquatic plants and leafy green vegetables. as Salmonella, that cause disease in humans. Tak- Hatchlings and juveniles may have different food requirements than adults; young painted ing these precautions will help keep you healthy turtles are more carnivorous than adults while the opposite is true for map turtles. when handling reptiles: Avoid feeding too much protein, which can cause shell deformities.  Always wash your hands with soap and water  Use calcium supplements appropriate for your species. before and after handling reptiles or anything in their habitat. Quality prepared and natural turtle Avoid close facial contact with your turtle. foods. Mealworms supplement carniv-  Never bring your turtle into food-preparation orous diets; Romaine, kale, carrots, areas. Do not clean turtle habitats or anything in zucchini and green beans are choices their habitats where food is prepared. If you clean for herbivorous turtles. A calcium supplement is important for shell and the habitat in the bathroom, disinfect the area bone development. Avoid too much completely afterwards. protein. Aquatic turtles are not appropriate in homes with children under 5, pregnant women, senior citizens This information is designed as a basic guide. There are several online care and persons with weakened immune systems, due resources available that provide in-depth information on turtles and their to the increased risk of severe complications from care. Consult several sources as care sheets may not be consistent in recom- salmonellosis. For more information, visit CDC’s mended temperatures, diet and enclosure sizes. Healthy Pets website: www.PIJAC.org https://www.cdc.gov/healthypets

Popular pet turtle care chart. Consult with your retailer for information for your species. Common Name Adult Size Minimum Diet Water Tem- Basking Area Behavior Notes (Genus name) Enclosure perature Temperature

Painted turtle 6 - 8” 40 gal Omnivorous 75o- 80oF 85oF—95oF Excellent swimmers need up to 30 (Chrysemys species) inches water depth; larger basking (1 adult) area Map turtle (Graptemys 5” male Varies by spe- Omnivorous; 75o- 80oF 85oF—95oF River species, need space & water species) cies; 30-75 adults primarily depth; larger basking area to dry 11” female gal (1 male), carnivorous; completely; 75-125 gal (1 calcium sup- female) plements recommended

Cooters (Pseudemys 13“ 100 gal (1 Omnivorous; 70o– 75oF ~85oF Excellent swimmers need space species) adult); out- riverine spe- and deeper water; larger basking door pond cies adults pri- area to dry completely recommended marily herbivo-

Sliders (Trachemys 12“ 75-150 gal Omnivorous; 75o- 85oF 85oF—90oF Excellent swimmers need ample species) adults primarily space and deeper water; larger (1 adult) herbivorous basking area with logs, structure leading into water

 The sale of pet turtles with a carapace (top of shell) length less than 4 inches is prohibited by federal regulations.  Because of slow growth and delayed maturity, conservation agencies are concerned that turtle populations have been depleted and restrictions are in place for many species. Check with your state conservation or natural resources agency regarding your choice of pet aquatic turtle.

Do not release your pet into the environment. If you are unable to care for your turtle, check the Habitattitude™ website for options to - re home your pet. 12/21/17 www.PIJAC.org