Skip Navigation
 

TURTLES AND TORTOISES

You're at a pet store looking for a small pet to purchase when you spot the turtles and tortoises. At first glance, they appear to be an easy pet to have in your home. There are, however, important things to consider before purchasing a pet turtle or tortoise.

1. The initial cost of purchasing a turtle or tortoise is the smallest expense you will have. To properly care for your turtle or tortoise, you will have to provide appropriate housing, food, bedding, humidity, and veterinary care.

2.  Turtles and tortoises live for a very long time. Are you willing to keep this pet for its entire life?

3. Are you prepared to provide clean water, food, and fresh bedding every day for your turtle or tortoise? Will you be able to provide care for your pet when you travel and are not at home?

4. Most turtles and tortoises hibernate for 10 to 20 weeks. You will need to provide the proper hibernating environment for your pet.

5. Turtles and tortoises do not interact with humans very well.

6. Turtles and tortoises are not recommended as pets for children because of the risk of certain diseases that they can transmit.

Did you know that turtles have been on the earth for more than 200 million years, that serveral species of turtles can live to be over 100 years, and that turtles live on every continent except Antartica?

If you are ready to become a responsible turtle or tortoise owner, come look at the books the Library has in the Pets Neighborhood. They can inform you about the care and feeding of pet turtles and tortoises.

 
Back to Top