Caring for Baby Turtles

It’s possible for a young turtle to drown if there is no easily accessible dry area for it to reach. That is why the basking area must be placed in such a way that the turtle can reach it without difficulty. It is also recommended that the tank have an attached full-spectrum light. This not only allows the tank to be well lighted but it is also said to help harden the shells of newborn turtles.
Another important detail in caring for baby turtles is keeping the water in the tank clean and warm. Owners may opt to use a filter, in which case they only need to change the water every two to three days. However, filters are capable of creating a current, which can present a problem for the turtles. There are two possible solutions to this predicament. One is to use rocks to break the current. The other option is to tilt the tank in such a way that the water is deeper in the area of the filter and shallower near the basking area. If the owner does not have a filter, it is advised that he or she change the water daily.

Caring for Baby Turtles

To keep the water warm, one can make use of a heater. If the tank does not contain much water, a heating pad placed under the tank is another option. If an incandescent lamp is used to heat the basking area, it may be enough to keep the water warm as well. Do not make the temperature too hot, though, as baby water turtles are said to be prone to overheating.
Caring for baby turtles also include feeding them the appropriate food. Some species of turtles may be picky eaters in the beginning but eventually, their appetites will increase. Food choices for turtles include mealworms, crickets and even earthworms. Commercially, turtle foods available include turtle sticks, flakes, and pellet food. Some of these foods can be expensive, however, so some owners combine the turtle food with other food items such as fish food and vegetables.

Caring for Baby Turtles

The food should be given in tiny quantities and in tiny pieces. This is because too much food generally contributes to a faster growth rate, which in turn causes their shells to grow deformed.
Another important thing to consider when caring for baby turtles is the state of their health. Signs of a sick or poorly nourished turtle include lethargy, milky eyes, and cloudy patches on their skin. Turtle owners must therefore make sure that their tank is kept clean and their pet properly nourished, in order to keep their pet healthy. It doesn’t hurt to ask a veterinarian for help in caring for baby turtles, either.

Identifying a Pregnant Turtle

Another behaviour change that may occur in a gravid turtle is a decrease in a previously healthy appetite, due to the eggs occupying and pressing on her abdominal area. On occasion, a pregnant turtle can also exhibit shyness. Gravid turtles can also tend to show restlessness, and aggressiveness or irritability towards the owner or another turtle. Some of these turtles even claw frantically at the walls of their tank, in what may seem like an attempt to escape their enclosure. Not all turtles exhibit these signs while they are gravid, however so they might not be very helpful when identifying a pregnant turtle.
Identifying a pregnant turtle can also be done through palpation. This can be done by inserting a finger inside the turtle’s shell, in the area in front of her hind limbs. Make sure to feel both sides. You can also try feeling both sides simultaneously by inserting one finger in each opening. If the turtle is pregnant, you should be able to feel round, hard lumps there. These lumps are the turtle’s eggs. This method shouldn’t be dangerous to the turtle or its eggs if the palpation is done delicately. Be careful when using this technique, however, since there is a possibility that the turtle’s claws can harm you. In some cases, the turtle will keep their hind legs tucked in which makes it harder to palpate for the eggs. If this happens, you can opt to wait until the turtle pulls its legs back out before sliding a finger in and feeling the space.

Identifying a Pregnant Turtle

On occasion, though, you may not be able to feel any eggs even if the turtle is gravid. The most accurate method in identifying a pregnant turtle is to get an x-ray of your turtle. A veterinarian will then be able to confirm the status of the turtle through the x-ray results which can show just how many eggs, if any, there are, as well as the condition of the eggs themselves.

Barring an x-ray and a visit to a veterinarian, there is no foolproof method in identifying a pregnant turtle. If you suspect that your pet may be gravid, the best thing you can do is to provide a nesting box for the turtle. The box usually contains warm dirt where the turtle can lay its eggs. There are some turtles, however, which reject the use of nesting boxes and are very particular about which spot they choose as a nesting site, so it may be helpful to research the natural nesting conditions of your turtle’s particular species.