What are the taboos of keeping turtles? A detailed explanation of turtle keeping precautions
Turtles are ancient reptiles that still exist today. When attacked, a turtle can retract its head, tail and limbs into its shell. Most are carnivorous, feeding on worms, snails, shrimp and small fish, and also eat the stems and leaves of plants. They are distributed almost everywhere in China, with common ones including the red-eared slider, the Chinese pond turtle, the golden coin turtle, the yellow-margined box turtle and so on. Now let us take a look at what the taboos of keeping turtles are!
What are the taboos of keeping turtles?
1. Avoid losing yourself in playthings: keeping turtles is only meant to add fun to life, not to be one's whole life. Neglecting one's career and drifting away from family for the sake of play loses the meaning of keeping a pet, so never let playthings dull your ambition.
2. Avoid reaching too high: some people who keep turtles always want to keep difficult species and want to quickly become a “master”. In fact, this idea is not advisable. Never start out pursuing high-difficulty turtles, so do not reach too high.
3. Avoid liking the new and disliking the old: always feeling that other turtles are better, eyeing other people's turtles enviously, and thinking all day about switching species. In fact, being able to keep one kind of turtle well does not mean you can keep all turtles well, and keeping one kind of turtle well is already no easy task.
4. Avoid abandoning after a fickle start: treating turtles with only three minutes of enthusiasm, throwing them aside once the novelty wears off and letting them fend for themselves. The joy of turtles is slowly realised during the process of “keeping”, which requires overcoming boredom and persevering.
What are the benefits of keeping turtles?
1. Adding longevity: the turtle is an auspicious creature symbolising longevity, and keeping one at home can help add longevity to the household. It is even better to keep one in a home with elderly people.
2. Blocking and dissolving bad energy: in feng shui, the turtle shell has the effect of blocking and dissolving bad energy. This is the reason for placing a turtle in a spot with a beam sha.
3. Protecting the family: the turtle is a spiritual creature, and with proper keeping methods its divine nature can protect the whole family.
How should turtles be kept properly?
1. Choosing a turtle: first observe whether it is constantly opening its mouth to breathe or has a runny nose, and at the same time check whether there are wounds, shell defects, and whether it retracts its claws with strength. After buying one and bringing it home, it must first be isolated and observed. Besides adapting to the new environment, also pay attention to whether there are signs of disease.
2. Choosing a fish tank
① Tank size: avoid buying too small a fish tank for keeping a small turtle. The size of the tank should preferably be more than 5 times larger than the small turtle. At the same time, do not let the turtle soak in water all the time; adding water only up to half its body is enough.
② Tank setup: placing some sand or stones in the fish tank for keeping turtles helps the small turtle bask and get ventilation, and avoids shell rot. Water should be changed once a week.
3. Light control: place the small turtle somewhere it can get sunlight, but avoid exposure to strong sun. There must be a shady spot and a pool or basin for resting and playing. Also, small turtles are quite active, and appropriate exercise of their limbs is good for bone development.
4. Feed selection: turtles are omnivorous animals. They eat both animal-based feed such as small fish, small shrimp, snails, clams, earthworms, maggots and poultry and livestock scraps, and plant-based feed such as tubers, vegetables, grains and aquatic plants.
5. Feeding food: turtles are generally fed once every 3 days. The amount fed can be increased or decreased as appropriate according to the size of the turtle, generally about 5 to 10% of its body weight. In spring and autumn, when the temperature is moderate and appetite is stronger, it can be appropriately increased, and before winter arrives, feed a little more than usual.
① Fixed time: in spring and autumn, when the temperature is lower, it is best to feed at 8 to 9 am. From Grain Rain to the Autumn Equinox is the peak feeding season, but as this is the height of summer, it is best to feed at 16 to 17 in the afternoon. A fixed time lets the turtle take food on schedule and obtain more nutrition.
② Fixed location: set up fixed feeding points at intervals along the edge of the pool. The feeding platform at the feeding point should be close to the water surface so the turtle can swallow water and bite food easily. Feeding at a fixed location lets the turtle form a habit, makes it easier to find food, and also makes it convenient to observe the turtle's condition.
③ Fixed quality: the feed given should be kept fresh. After feeding, leftover food should be cleared away in time to prevent the feed from rotting and smelling, which would affect the turtle's appetite and pollute the water quality.
④ Fixed quantity: the amount of feed given depends on the temperature, water quality, the turtle's appetite and its activity. It is best to leave a slight surplus after each meal. Generally, feed once every 2 to 3 days.
6. Water quality management: during keeping, whether to change the water should be decided according to how clean the water is. When the water is found to be polluted or cloudy, it should be changed. In summer, the water should be changed more frequently, and in winter less often. During hibernation, it is even less suitable to change it often, and the new water added should be about 1 to 2°C higher than the usual water temperature.
7. Temperature management: turtles are ectothermic animals. When the water temperature drops below 15°C, they lie still at the bottom of the water and begin to hibernate. At the turn of spring and summer, when the water temperature rises back above 15°C, they begin to move and forage. The most suitable temperature is 25 to 30°C, and above 35°C they stop feeding.
8. Disease prevention and control: when keeping turtles, often use potassium permanganate solution to disinfect the turtle, and add an appropriate amount of oxytetracycline or furazolidone to the feed. These measures have a very good effect on preventing disease in turtles. In addition, prevent attacks on the turtle by enemies such as rats, snakes and cats.
9. Hibernation management: turtles begin feeding in early April each year, and feeding activity peaks from June to August. When the temperature drops below 18 degrees, they stop eating, and below 15 degrees they begin to hibernate, generally hibernating from November to April each year. However, the situation differs for each kind of turtle, so management needs to be strengthened.