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Painted Turtles as House Pets...
 No pets allowed! This is what most read when signing the dotted line on a renter's agreement. But having a pet for your child is an important step in their development. It teaches responsibilities and gives them a companion to express love to.
While most places, when it says "no pets allowed," mean cats, dogs, and birds; it is still possible to enrich your child's life (or even your own) with a pet. However instead of a hamster, why not invest in a Painted turtle.
The Painted turtle, known as Chrysemys picta by the scientific
community, is a reptile of beauty.There are four types (or sub-species)
of painted turtle: Western, Midland, Eastern, and Southern. The
Southern painted turtle is the only sub-species with a stripe down its
back; the Western painted turtle is the state reptile of Colorado.
These sub-species can interbreed, creating mixes that share the
respective traits of each type. The painted turtle has red and yellow
stripes on its head, tail and feet and thats why it received its name.
Outside of an owners home Painted turtles are found in ponds, shallow
waters, and marshes all over the United States. This turtle can grow
from 4 to 10 inches.
Painted turtles are omnivores - which mean they eat both plant and
meat. However, while they are young and juvenile, they will mostly eat
meat. As they get older their appetites are more diverse eating:
snails, slugs, small crayfish, fish eggs, small fish, Algae, Lilly
pads, etc.; basically anything you find in the pond small enough to fit
in its mouth.
Because reptiles are cold-blooded they must regulate
their body temperature by "sunning" themselves. This is the act of
lying out in the sun to warm their temperature. Because Painted turtles
are reptiles and found over a variety of areas in the United States,
they both sun themselves and hibernate when the temperature becomes too
frigid to effectively regulate their body temperature. Most times they
can be seen sunning themselves, during the summer, on old logs.
Sometimes, there can be numerous turtles just hanging out on an old log
enjoying themselves on a lazy sunny afternoon. Knowing these facts help
us to set up the perfect environment to keep your pet.
It is recommended that young turtles and juveniles be kept in a 20-40
gallon tank. Adults need more room and thus require, at minimum, 80
gallon aquarium. These tanks are filled with water that is about 6-8
inches deep. You may need to increase the amount of water in the tank
depending on the turtles size. The object is for the turtle to have
enough room to swim around in. Knowing that they enjoy sunbathing tells
us we need a place for them to do so and a heat lamp to simulate the
sun. An old log or a big rock will make the perfect place for them to
hang out and get a tan.
The age of your turtle will determine what you
feed them. Younger turtles will love a diet of bugs; especially, a diet
consisting of crickets that you can buy at the pet store. The older
turtles will eat vegetables along with the bugs. If ever your turtle
should refuse to eat it is recommended that you try something
different. Try using a smaller portion and work it in with food they do
enjoy. While the painted turtle isn't as cuddly as the dog or cat, it
will be a pet that you or your child will enjoy handling. Not to
mention they are a blast to watch. To see them swim around and just do
what turtles do naturally is a fun experience that not only can be fun
but bring some well deserved Joy to your life.
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Source:
Sean Schopf Is a turtle more than its shell? Join my journey
in learning everything you need to know about turtles. Come and Join me
http://www.inaturtleshell.blogspot.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/
CHECK HERE FOR FISH TANKS AND OTHER PET SUPPLIES
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