How to Care for a Small Painted Turtle: Care Methods and Precautions
The small painted turtle, also known as the Brazilian red-eared turtle, is a small turtle with excellent ornamental value. Because of its small size and strong vitality, it is very popular in the pet market and is the most widely kept reptile in the world. So, how do you care for this small painted turtle?
1. Characteristics of the small painted turtle
The small painted turtle is a common aquatic turtle. Because it has two thick red stripes on both sides of the back of its head, it is also called the red-eared turtle. It is an excellent variety among turtles, and it is low in price and very easy to raise.
Its place of origin is not Brazil, but the Mississippi River and Rio Grande basins of North America. Besides being kept as pets or ornamental animals, it is also used by some restaurants as an edible animal ingredient.
It has a lively and active temperament and is sensitive to the sound of water and vibrations. Once startled, they all dive into the water. It can live in deep water, while young turtles prefer to inhabit shallow water, and they like to live in groups. They like light, and their basking habit is stronger than that of other turtles. At noon, when the weather is mild and sunny, they like to lie on the shore basking their shells; the rest of the time they float on the water surface resting or wander in the water.
2. How to care for the small painted turtle
1. Container: If it is a young small painted turtle, you can choose a flat-bottomed container for raising it. A plastic basin, plastic trough, or aquarium will all do. The turtle tank design is best when water and land each take up half. If a climbing ramp is used to separate them, the slope should preferably not exceed 20 degrees, otherwise it will be very difficult for the young turtle to climb up. The water depth should not exceed the turtle's body length, so that the young turtle can stick its head out of the water to breathe. In addition, you need to make an island in the container with bricks and stone pieces, so that the young turtle can climb up to bask in the sun. Note that an outdoor turtle tank cannot be placed in a spot with long periods of direct sunlight, and there must be shade facilities.
2. Water temperature: The most suitable temperature for the growth of the small painted turtle is 20~32°C. Its appetite is best at a water temperature of 29-32°C, and it stops eating at 36°C. Below 11°C it enters hibernation, below 6°C it is in deep hibernation, and below 1°C there is a risk of stiff death. Under normal circumstances, it hibernates from November to March of the following year, and begins activity in April. When the water temperature is around 16°C, it resumes feeding.
3. Food: Turtles are omnivorous animals. When raising them, feed them small fish, small shrimp, river snails, raw pork, and so on. Young turtles need to be fed once a day, while adult turtles are fed once every 2-3 days. In cold weather, it is not suitable to feed meat. After feeding, it is best to change the water immediately, especially when feeding pork. If pork is soaked for a long time, it will form a layer of oil film on the water surface, and soaking the turtle in it for a long time is bad for its eyes.
4. Disease: Brazilian painted turtles generally do not get sick easily, but prevention should be the main focus. During the young turtle stage, furazolidone or potassium permanganate can be put into the water once a week. Usually, attention should be paid to preventing harm to hatchlings and young turtles from rats, snakes, cats, dogs, and so on. Prevent toxic substances from contaminating the feed.
The above are some important points about how to care for the small painted turtle. Although it looks very simple, it still takes quite a bit of thought to do. When raising small animals, you must have enough patience.