May 12
15
All About Spotted Turtles
Being a spotted turtle can be a misnomer for some species of spotted turtles, as some might have hundreds of spots and some may be completely black or very dark colored with no spots at all. They have a smooth shell and can travel on land but prefer to be around wet boggy areas. They will come on land to hunt for insects or other food products but they always eat their prey in water regardless of where it was captured. They prefer fresh water but are tolerant to brackish water that contains a level of sea salt and generally stay close to water as it is a good way to escape from predators.
Regardless of the number of spots or sometimes lack of spots altogether males and females can be told apart quite easily. Females have yellowed chins and orange eyes and are generally larger than the males even though their tails are shorter. Males have tan chins, brown eyes, longer tails, and are generally smaller than the females. Early hatchlings resemble their parents with the exception of the number of spots. Most hatchlings only have one spot per section on their shell.
As with other species of reptiles and amphibians the incubation temperature of the eggs makes a difference in the sex of the hatchlings. It is thought that global warming will adversely affect species that follow this pattern because it will allow an uneven ratio between males and females as temperatures increase. Their populations are also affected by the numbers of raccoons and muskrats, specifically because they are a major prey of these predators. They also tend to migrate following other species of animals, therefore the livelihood of these animals specifically affects the turtles.
Unfortunately their numbers are also dwindling due to encroachment by man in their habitat as well as a high number of losses while crossing roads and other man-made highways. Poaching for the pet trade is also a problem in some areas and it is feared that it may cause the numbers to dwindle more in the future. Although they are not thought to be extinct from any of their habitats at this time they are listed as endangered in some areas and threatened in others.
As with many other animals that are directly affected by the quality of water in their areas, better environmental practices must be followed in order to preserve clean water for their survival. In the near future recovery efforts may be needed to save the spotted turtles as well as other species from further decline.
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May 12
5
Choices Of Pet Turtles
Since there are so many sizes, colors, species, and types, it is small wonder that so many people want to have pet turtles. For most people having a turtle means a small box turtle or land turtle. These are popular in many areas that have a moderate temperature and a mild to medium winter. Since they are native in some areas, it is not legal to own them. So it is very important to check the type of turtle that you have and whether it is legal to be owned in your area.
Pet turtles have many habits that are interesting including the species that can pull themselves completely within their shell. Most species that have this ability are timid and prefer to be left alone and are patient to hide until a predator goes away. Turtles that cannot protect their entire body especially their heads within their shells must rely on aggression to ward off predators. Snapping turtles are well known for being able to reach long distances with their necks and can even reach over their backs if they are picked up from behind, and are often found around ponds and small freshwater lakes.
If a person chooses to have a turtle and it is a land turtle it should be given a habitat that contains dry land to walk on and bury in and the ability to wade out into water when necessary. They eat a variety of different foods including plant life, vegetables such as tomatoes, fruits, insects, earthworms, snails, and slugs. They can be adapted to eating box turtle food from the pet stores, which is a combination of cubed fruits and vegetables.
If they have been wild caught in the spring when they are most likely seen moving from place to place, they can be kept all summer without too much detriment. However, if a person is going to keep them they must keep them through the winter and release them the following spring. If they are kept into late summer and early fall and then released they may not have time to properly acclimate for the coming winter and may die if they do not make a burrow and hibernate. If they are kept for more than one year they will probably lose their natural instinct to burrow and hibernate and may need to be maintained forever as a pet. This is why it is illegal to own or capture native turtles to become a pet turtles.
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Apr 12
25
Spotted Turtles
Spotted turtles can have many ranges in colors but are generally dark in their background and have yellow spots of different sizes and arrangements depending upon the exact species. Their back shell is smooth and has no ridges as with other turtles such as the map turtles. They prefer shallow freshwater areas rather than rivers and are known to be found in marshes and wetlands on the North American continent specifically along the East Coast and around the Great Lakes. Though generally freshwater tolerant they are also able to thrive in brackish water that has some sea salt content. They are quite adaptable to spending time on land as well as in the water but like to have water close by to escape into if disturbed.
Although some spotted turtles can be nearly black in color with few or very small spots, males and females can be distinguished easily because they male has a tan chin and brown eyes while the female has a yellow chin and orange eyes and has a shorter tail than the males although she is larger in size overall. Hatchlings look very much like the adults except each section of their shell only has one yellow spot.
Since the spotted turtle’s sex can be affected by the incubation temperature of the eggs, some scientists believe that global warming will adversely affect the male to female ratio in these turtles. The populations are also affected by the fact that these small turtles are easily preyed upon by raccoons, muskrats, and other similar animals. An interesting behavior among spotted turtles is that they are omnivores that can hunt and capture prey on land but they feed primarily in the water.
As with many other species of turtles and wildlife in general their numbers are declining mostly due to loss of habitat, poaching for the pet trade, and for terrestrial traveling hazards such as becoming prey for other animals and becoming road kill while attempting to cross man-made highways. Their movements often follow specific migration routes of other animals, reptiles, and amphibians so the decline in these animals also disturbs their migration routes and growth patterns.
Although they are not believed to be extinct in any area they have inhabited they are dwindling in number and are listed as endangered in some areas and threatened in other areas. In the near future recovery efforts may be needed to save the habitat of the spotted turtles in order to preserve them as a species.
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Apr 12
15
All About Map Turtles
There are many different kinds of turtles and map turtles are some of the most interesting turtles of all. This particular type of turtle is found almost exclusively in North America. They are similar to some of the sliders and other semi aquatic species and yet they have many differences that make them quite unique.
One of the things that set map turtles apart is a highly defined keel or ridge that runs from head to tail along the back of their shell. It is because of the ridge in some species that actually have spines that go upward and backward like saw blades that give them nickname of saw back turtles. In this species of turtle the female is generally larger than the males.
There are many variations in their colors, in the height of the ridges along their back, and for some elongated claws on the male’s front legs. There are differing opinions of how many species of map turtles there are. Some believe that there are sub species that are separate while others believe they are simply variations of the same species. Their habitat can range depending upon species however most seem to prefer rivers rather than ponds or lakes.
They are omnivores, which mean they eat a variety of animal and plant materials. Depending upon the strength of the jaws of a particular species some might prefer mollusks and snails while others with less defined jaws may be more likely to eat worms, vegetation, small fish, and when nothing else is available they are known to even eat carrion.
Map turtles seem to be more nervous in nature than the sliders and the painted turtles, which makes them harder to study and less hardy as a species. They are much more likely to dart away into the water at even a slight provocation whereas other species need more disturbances to get them away from their basking spot. This also makes them less favorable as a species to be held in captivity because their nervousness and frequent escapes into the water often causes injury to their shells that can later cause life-threatening infections. They are also more aware of changes in the water than other turtle species and are less tolerant of those changes. Because they are river turtles, environmental changes in unprotected areas that are upstream may cause problems in a protected area far away.
Since their numbers are dwindling in the wild, captive breeding of map turtles should be encouraged to help their numbers increase.
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Apr 12
5
Map Turtles Information
One of the more uncommon types of pet turtles are map turtles. However, they are beginning to see an increase in popularity as more people become interested in the different types of turtle species that are available as pets. There are many different types of map turtles that you can get. They differ from most pet turtles in several important ways.
Most turtles are only carnivorous when they are younger, and then become herbivorous as they mature. The map turtle, however, remains carnivorous throughout their life. This is an important factor when deciding to bring one into your home as they cannot be easily kept with herbivorous turtles. It is possible to find pellet food that is specially made for map turtles, and they can also be fed snails, fish, clam, and worms or other insects.
The species of map turtle will determine the size that they can grow to. Map turtles are considered to be aquatic turtles, which means they will need a mostly water environment. Once you have determined how big of an aquarium your map turtle will need, you can purchase that size as well as the appropriately-sized filter. As with all aquatic turtles, it is important to change the filter often to allow them to have a steady supply of clean water.
map turtles are very beautiful and come in many shades of tan and brown. They are most noted for the ridges they have along their back. Some types of map turtle have very obvious ridges that are black, and others have much smaller ones that do not stand out as much. The map turtles get their name from the numerous lines that cover them, making them look like a map. Some types also stand out because of their eyes, which are yellow to white in color with an unbroken iris.
These are a beautiful species of turtle that are found in the wild throughout North America. There are many located along the rivers that flow through the United States, and many of the types derive their names from the river they come from, such as the Mississippi Map Turtle, and the Pearl River Map Turtle. Others get their name from their distinct features, like the Black Ridged Map Turtle. There are many different types of map turtles that you can choose from once you’re ready to bring one into your home.
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Mar 12
26
The Needs Of Pet Turtles
Keeping pet turtles is easier than keeping a dog or a cat, but that does not mean that you should add one to your home without careful consideration. There are two types of needs that all animals have, and those are biological needs and emotional needs. Biological needs are those needs than an animal needs to keep fulfilled simply to stay alive. These include food, water, and shelter. For turtles, there is also a need of warmth that most other pets don’t have.
Depending on whether you have an aquatic turtle, a land turtle, or something in between, you need to be sure that your turtle has the proper ratio of water to land and is able to easily access both. Even an aquatic turtle needs to spend some time out of the water, so be sure that you have a dock in place that will allow him to do so.
A turtle’s age is a big indication of what type of food he will need. Younger turtles need much more meat than older turtles, who require more vegetables. It is important to be sure that your turtle has a variety of foods available, since that’s the way it would be for them in the wild. There are many commercial foods that you can purchase for your turtle, but he will also need to be provided with fresh foods.
There is a surprising amount of equipment needed for even just one turtle. Depending on the size and number of turtles you have, they may need a 20 – 100 gallon (75 – 378 liter) aquarium. Along with this, you will need an appropriately-sized filter to make sure that the water stays clean. Turtles need UVB light bulbs that provide necessary heat and imitate sunlight. This will need to be safely mounted somewhere that it will not come in contact with the water.
The other type of need that turtles have is emotional. Although it may not seem that turtles are very emotional creatures, they do need to feel safe and well taken care of. This means giving your turtle some space if too much handling clearly stresses him out, and taking time to interact with your turtle if that’s what he wants. When you first get your pet turtles, it’s important to watch them to gauge what they need emotionally, as a turtle that gets stressed out by children tapping on the glass or not enough sunlight will not be as healthy as one that has all of his needs taken care of, biological and emotional.
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Mar 12
16
Information On Spotted Turtles
One of the most unique types of turtles are the Spotted Turtles. True to their name, they are covered in spots. Although they are beautiful and small which makes them ideal as pets, they have been declared at the risk of extinction in some parts of the United States and Canada. This makes it difficult to find one as a pet, but it is possible to find captive breeders as well as turtle rescue organizations that do have them.
In the wild, spotted turtles are found in most shallow bodies of water throughout the United States. They are not particularly strong swimmers, so if you do decide to get one of these aquatic turtles, you will need to provide a smaller amount of water than with other types of aquatic turtles. Even an adult will only need 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm) of water, and a hatchling will only need about an inch (2.5 cm) of water.
Although it is important to provide a UVB light for your Spotted Turtle to bask in, the Spotted Turtle is used to a more frigid temperature, which means keeping the general temperature of the water cooler than with other types of turtles. They will also need a habitat that is half water and half land, and may decide to hibernate through the hottest part of summer and the coldest part of winter.
Unlike many of the more popular types of turtles kept as pets, the Spotted Turtle is mainly carnivorous, and requires a steady diet of insects and small fish. They can eat worms and other insects that aren’t typically found in the water, but these insects will have to be placed in the water for them to eat. It is also possible to supplement this fresh diet with a commercial pellet diet that is designed specifically for aquatic turtles.
The appearance and size of the Spotted Turtles are what makes them great as pets. They are black and have small yellow spots scattered all over their shell, almost as if they’ve been dripped on. They are small, ranging in size from 3 to 5 inches (8 to 12 cm). The male and female Spotted Turtle are very easy to tell apart, even from when they first hatch. There is a difference in the tail, the male’s being thicker and longer, but you can also tell by the color of their chin. Males have tan chins, and the females have yellow chins. Although all Spotted Turtles gain more spots as they grow older, the female will typically have more than the male.
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Mar 12
6
Pet Spotted Turtles
If you are thinking of purchasing turtles for your home, you may want to consider getting pet spotted turtles. Pet spotted turtles are small and easily kept in an aquarium near a sunny window. Spotted turtles enjoy both land and water, so they will need an equal area of shallow water to swim and play in and an area of dry rocks or driftwood to lay on and get warm. When keeping spotted turtles in an aquarium, make sure to give them a sunlamp over their basking place so they do not get cold and become ill. The water temperature should be comfortably warm, not too hot and not cold.
Because spotted turtles are semi-aquatic, in the wild they live and hunt in water and on land. They are most often found in shallow water, such as small marshes or bogs, even ditches. They prefer still waters as opposed to running streams or rivers. Spotted turtles are omnivorous and when in the wild they will eat algae and other water vegetation as well as crawdads, fish, snails, and crickets. In captivity it is important to make sure your spotted turtle has a varied diet. They can be fed crickets, meal worms, or freeze dried shrimp as their meat sourse. For their vegetable and fruit needs, any form of leafy vegetables or squash will be fine and even fruits such as strawberries or kiwi.
You can easily identify a spotted turtle in a pet shop. Spotted turtles have dark skin and smooth dark shells which are spotted yellow. They look much like a map of the constellations or like someone splattered them with yellow paint, which is where they get their name.
If your wondering if your spotted turtle is a male or female, simply look into its eyes. From the time of their birth, female spotted turtles have orange colored eyes and yellow colored chins, whereas their male counterparts have tan colored chins and yellow eyes. Male spotted turtles also have a longer and thicker tail than the females.
When properly cared for, spotted turtles can live to be about one hundred years old or more. They are very hearty and easy to care for and will become a treasured part of the family.
Spotted turtles are on the endangered species list in Canada, however, they can still be found in lower Canada and along the Eastern part of the United States. They are very small, ranging in size from one and a half to five inches throughout their life. If you are looking for cute pets and lifelong companions, getting pet spotted turtles would be a great choice.
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Feb 12
25
Keeping Pet Turtles
Many people are becoming more interested in keeping pet turtles. Pet turtles are a great choice for apartment renters and people who have busy schedules. Pet turtles are easy to care for, eat very little, do not take up much room, and they are quiet. They are also very loveable and will live for many years as a part of your family.
If you purchase a pet turtle, it is important to keep your turtle in a clean aquarium with freshwater. Some turtles are completely aquatic needing only a small area of dry rocks or wood to lay on and dry off. Other turtles are completely land dwelling and will need only a small space for swimming and playing in the water. It is always a good idea to have enough water in your tank and enough dry land area in your tank for the overall health of your turtles.
Since pet turtles come in different breeds, you may want to determine what breed your turtle is and if your turtle is an omnivore, herbivore, or carnivore. Carnivores will eat mostly meat, requiring very little vegetables. They will eat a variety of meats including meal worms, shrimp, cooked fish or chicken, and crustaceans. Herbivores are strictly vegetable eaters and will need a healthy variety of fruits and vegetables such as leafy greens, strawberries, kiwis, and bananas. If you have an omnivorous turtle, your turtle will likely eat almost anything. Do not worry, a turtle only eats the same amount of food as about the size of their head.
There are different turtle breeds to choose from. Some popular choices are the yellow bellied slider, which has a yellow under shell and yellow stripes or markings along its limbs and its neck. The painted turtle is also very popular and quite small, it has red, orange, or green markings along its shell and its limbs and neck and is very colorful and beautiful to look at. The box turtle is a sturdy pet which, although is not very colorful, is a great pet for beginners because they are omnivorous and easy to take care of.
If you are looking for places to purchase a turtle, you can find ads easily online or in the newspaper. It is, however, always recommended to purchase your turtles from a reputable source. Turtles of many different breeds can be purchased at local specialty reptile and fish stores or your local pet shop and those places are also the best to help with any questions you might have about keeping pet turtles.
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Feb 12
15
Spotted Turtles
One of the cutest pets you could possibly own are spotted turtles. These turtles are miniature and range in size from one and a half inches as a baby to five inches as an adult. The spotted turtle is found in Canada and around the great lakes as well as along the Eastern seaboard and central Florida of the United States.
Spotted turtles are easily identified. The first think you will notice about a spotted turtle is its spots. Spotted turtles have dark grey or black skin and shells with yellow polka dot looking spots scattered sporadically along them. They have a smooth top shell and do not have bumpy ridges like many other breeds of turtles.
Spotted turtles are semi aquatic, needing both water and land to live and hunt. They can usually be found inn swamps, marshes, bogs, or ditches in shallow water areas. When they are in their natural habitat, spotted turtles prefer aquatic algae and plants and they will eat animals such as worms, crickets, and snails. If you are keeping spotted turtles as pets, they are omnivorous and will eat a variety of foods. It is important, however, to give them an equal mixture and a variety of meats and vegetables.
Spotted turtles make excellent pets and are easy to care for. Because of their small size, spotted turtles can be kept in an aquarium quite easily. These turtles, however, do not enjoy deep water and will need an equal amount of water to swim in and a land area to bask in, when kept in an aquarium. Spotted turtles, like most turtles, will need a heat lamp to keep it warm while it is basking on dry land. It is recommended to keep their water in an average seventy degrees so they can cool off, but not any colder as they may become sick.
It is easy to tell if you spotted turtle is a male or female. Unlike most turtles, spotted turtles do not have a large identifying size difference between males and females. However, from birth males have a longer thicker tail than females and they have yellow colored eyes and tan colored chins. Females, on the other hand, have yellow colored chins and orange colored eyes.
Spotted turtles are able to live to be one hundred years old or more. They are hearty turtles with great adaptability. If you are considering a pet, spotted turtles would make an excellent addition to your household.
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