One of the most basic concerns of pet owners is where they will house their pets. For some pets, their housing needs are uncomplicated. For some pets, however, there are a lot of things to consider when choosing and stocking their enclosure.

Hand Held Baby Pet Turtle

In choosing pet turtle cages, one should choose a cage large enough for the turtles to be able to move around freely in. It must also have an area in the cage for the turtles to bask in, as well as a cool area for them to seek shelter when it gets too warm or when they want to sleep. The basking area gives the turtles a place to sun themselves. This area may contain a flat rock or any other acceptable surface for them to lie on.

Pet turtle cages, in general, should be equipped with a full-spectrum lamp, a humidifier, a heater, and a filter, among other things. A lid can also be placed on top of the terrarium for added protection.

For indoor pet turtle cages, a UVB light can be placed in the tank to mimic sunlight. The light can also be placed outside the tank but should be placed over an open section of the tank since glass filters out UVB light. Ideally, the light is turned on for 12 hours a day, and then turned off to mimic a 24-hour day cycle. A full-spectrum lamp may also be needed to provide adequate heat and lighting for an indoor enclosure.

Pet Turtle Walking

The ideal temperature in terrariums should be in the range of 75 to 85 ° F. This can be achieved by using a heater. The heat allows the turtles to regulate their body temperature, and helps increase their appetite. The temperature in the tank or the water can be gauged by using a thermometer. The cage should also have a cooler area for the turtle to stay in. The temperature in this area is best set in the 65 to 75 ° F range. Be careful though, since if the temperature gets too low, the turtle may attempt to hibernate prematurely.

Having a water filter, on the other hand, is important in keeping the pet turtle cages clean and the turtles from getting sick. For turtles that produce a lot more waste, a bigger filter may be needed. For easier cleaning, some pet turtle cages and terrariums have detachable bottoms.

However, different types of turtles have varying needs when it comes to their enclosure.  Aquatic turtles are usually kept in aquariums but they may be placed outside in ponds or pools when the weather and the season permit it. Land turtles, on the other hand, are usually placed in terrariums since they do not require as much water as their aquatic counterparts. There is also an option of putting the land turtles in outdoor pet turtle cages, which gives them more space. Outdoor cages have the added benefit of reducing the amount of maintenance work to be done, especially since they do not require artificial light or heat sources.