Sunlight gives turtles the adequate amounts of vitamin D and calcium they need to stay happy and healthy. If you keep your turtle indoors in an area without regular access to large amounts of natural light, you will need to purchase a basking lamp (also called a sun lamp) that simulates the sun’s Ultraviolet rays. Both terrestrial and aquatic turtles need to bask. Tap water contains chlorine and fluorine, which can throw off the water’s pH balance and harm the turtle. Be sure to use natural spring water for both your pet turtle’s swimming area and drinking water. Apart form a swimming area, aquatic turtles need an additional area for their drinking water. Plant species such as Amazon swords, anachris, water hyacinth and water lettuce are good choices that can double as part of your pet turtle’s healthy diet. You can dress the tank up with plants as well, as long as they are not poisonous to your pet(it is bound to take a nibble at them). In the terrestrial part of the tank, create a snug shelter out of wood or rocks where your pet turtle can go when it wants to get out in the open. You can also put a large rock or floating log in the middle of the water to give your turtle its own private island for sunbathing. Line the bottom of your turtle’s tank with lots of small rocks so it can have fun digging around. A tank that can hold at least 40 gallons should give your pet turtle an adequate amount of room to move around in. They require a habitat with plenty of clean water for swimming as well as dry land where they can rest, hide and bask in the sun. The glass will heat up like a greenhouse and end up cooking your poor pet! In their natural habitat, aquatic turtles, like the red-eared slider, live in swampy, muddy areas with thick vegetation, such as lakes and ponds. Never place your outdoor turtle in a glass tank. Box turtles also require a certain amount of moisture to survive, try to include plenty of rotting dry leaves and moist soil in your turtle’s pen, as well as a cozy shoe box or flower pot that the turtle can crawl under to hide or sleep. Box turtles love to dig, so make sure they have lots of dirt, potting soil, shredded newspaper or scraps of carpet to satisfy them. If you live in a colder or warmer climate, set up an indoor area for your box turtle.
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