How Do Turtles Get Through Winter? A Detailed Guide to Winter Care and Management
As we all know, the turtle is an animal that gets through winter by hibernating, so how can you help the turtle you are raising get through winter?
1. How do you help a turtle get through winter?
First, feed it as much as possible before winter sets in, so the turtle stores enough fat and energy. Then prepare a suitable container and put sand, small stones and the like inside it; of course, disinfect everything before putting it in. Finally, before hibernation, let the turtle expel the waste from its intestines and it is ready.
2. What points should be noted when raising turtles?
1. Water depth
The rearing environment mainly includes control of the water quality, water level and water temperature in the pond, as well as the creation of resting and play areas. Generally speaking, the water depth just needs to cover the turtle; it must not be too deep, as that is not good for its growth.
2. Water quality
Check the water quality and change the water source once every four days to ensure water quality. In addition, you can also plant some algae in the rearing pond.
3. Water temperature
Try to keep the water temperature at around 25 degrees. You should also build a rockery out of stones in the pond so the turtles can rest and play, which promotes their growth and development.
4. Feeding
During the juvenile stage, mainly feed special turtle food, then supplement it with an appropriate amount of small fish and shrimp; control the feeding amount and follow the principle of small amounts given frequently. For adult turtles, mainly feed fish, shrimp or meat. In addition, before each feeding, remove the leftover feed from the previous time to prevent it from fermenting and spoiling and producing harmful gases, which is bad for the turtles' growth.
5. Management
Bathe the turtles often and scrub their shells. Do not change the turtles' feed frequently, as this will make it hard for them to adapt for a time and can easily cause digestive illness.
6. Diseases
Change the water and disinfect regularly; the disinfectant can be baking soda or potassium permanganate solution. Strengthen temperature management, and you can add an appropriate amount of antibiotics or oxytetracycline to the turtles' feed to improve their resistance.