How to take care of them
Habitat & Setup
Tank Size: A common rule is 10 gallons of water per inch of shell length. Most adult turtles require at least a 55- to 75-gallon tank.
Basking Area: Provide a dry platform where the turtle can fully emerge from the water to dry off and warm up.
Lighting: You must provide both UVA/UVB light (for vitamin D3 and calcium metabolism) and a heat lamp over the basking area. Lights should be on a 12-hour day/night cycle.
Temperature: Maintain water between 72–82°F and a basking spot between 85–95°F. Use a submersible heater and thermometers to monitor both areas.
Diet & Nutrition
Feeding Frequency: Hatchlings need daily feeding, while adults can be fed every 2–3 days to prevent obesity.
Balanced Diet: Most pet turtles are omnivores. Their diet should consist of: Commercial pellets: High-quality turtle sticks or pellets.
Vegetables: Leafy greens like kale, romaine, and dandelion greens.
Protein: Occasional treats of earthworms, crickets, or feeder fish.
Clean Feeding: Many owners feed their turtles in a separate container of water to keep the main tank cleaner
Maintenance & Hygiene
Water Quality: Turtles produce significant waste. Use a powerful canister filter rated for at least twice your tank’s volume.
Cleaning: Perform a 25–50% water change weekly and a deep clean of the tank and filter every month.
Handling: Always wash your hands before and after touching your turtle or its habitat to avoid Salmonella. Avoid turning them upside down, as it is stressful and can damage internal organs
habitats
$259.99
Thrive Semi-Aquatic Essentials Kit
A larger solid wood habitat (approx. 39" L) with a waterproof plastic bottom to manage moisture from soil. It is highly rated on Tractor Supply Company for its spaciousness and attractive appearance.
$194.30
Aivituvin Wooden Tortoise House
A larger solid wood habitat (approx. 39" L) with a waterproof plastic bottom to manage moisture from soil. It is highly rated on Tractor Supply Company for its spaciousness and attractive appearance.
$124.99
Aivituvin Wooden Tortoise House
A 20-gallon starter kit that includes two heat lamps, a basking platform, and a waterfall-style filter. Expert reviewers at Chewy note it is an attractive setup, but some users find the filter to be noisy.
Food
Avoid: Iceberg lettuce (low nutritional value), and avoid excessive protein for terrestrial turtles.
$42.49
new price
$52
original price
Tetra ReptoMin Floating Food Sticks
A long-standing favorite that is vitamin- and calcium-enriched, designed to be highly digestible for various aquatic species.
$4.99
new price
$8
original price
Zoo Med Natural Aquatic Maintenance Formula Turtle Food
This line features scientifically formulated protein levels for different life stages: Hatchling (high protein), Growth, and Maintenance (adult).
$9.49
Hikari Saki-Hikari Turtle
This diet is known for its "odor-stop" formula, which helps reduce waste odor and maintain clearer water. It has high calcium content to support shell development and includes beneficial probiotics (the Hikari Germ) for immune system health.
include
Collard greens
Dandelion greens
Mustard greens
Kale
Romaine lettuce
Swiss chard
Shredded carrots and carrot tops
Squash and green beans
Protein Sources
Earthworms
Crickets
Mealworms and waxworms
Feeder fish (such as guppies; use sparingly due to potential health risks) Aquatic snail
they they could be allergic to stuff that would need special types of turtle food.