World Turtle Day🐢
/World Turtle Day is celebrated around the world on Sunday, May 23, 2021. This special day was created to bring attention and respect to turtles and tortoises and encourage human action to help them survive and thrive.
What is the difference between a turtle and a tortoise?
TURTLES:
Live in water at least some of the time
Turtles have streamlined and mostly flat shells
Turtles can live up to an average of 40 years
TORTOISES:
Tortoises live on land
Have larger and more domed shells
Tortoises can live over 300 years with their average lifespan being up to 150 years
Will a Turtle make a good pet?
Remember that research is key when adopting any pet. First, you should ask yourself “Where does this turtle come from”? Some turtle species can’t be raised in capitivity, so these turtles are caught in the wild and sold as pets. This practise is harmful to wild turtle populations. Likewise, if you find a turtle in your backyard, resist the urge to keep it as a pet. It’s better off being left where it is. If you are unable to care for your turtle any longer, contact your local shelter. Releasing non-native turtles into the wild can be fatal for them. If this is your first turtle, you may want to look at species that stay relatively small. Turtles can live several decades long, so make sure you are willing to invest the time and energy needed to care for your new pet.
Before adopting a pet turtle, consider this:
Bacteria and salmonella - The main concern about turtles is the risk of salmonella contamination. Turtles (along with other reptiles) commonly carry salmonella on their skin and outer shell surface. Salmonella infections can come from handling the turtle, or anything the turtle has come into contact with, including table surfaces and items in their habitat.
Handling - Children should always be supervised when handling a turtle and wash their hands thoroughly afterwards. Turtles should not be handled often to reduce any stress for the turtle.
Space - Turtles may start off small, but they can grow considerably larger. As they grow, their habitat requirements will grow too. This may be difficult to accommodate and expensive.
Equipment - A turtle’s habitat will need some essential pieces of equipment to keep it healthy. Each species has its own specific needs. Some turtles need special light for basking to keep their shells strong. Aquatic turtles will need lots of space for swimming and an area to warm themselves. Land tortoises will need adequate space, as well as soft soil for digging, light and warmth.
Diet - The turtle’s habitat will tell you what type of food to feed it. Most adult turtles are omnivores, or meat and plant eaters, but young turtles are usually carnivores or meat eaters. The ideal diet for most adult turtles includes protein (including cooked meat, insects and cooked eggs), and leafy vegetables. Don’t forget that a turtle needs lots of calcium in their diet to keep their shell healthy. Since turtles cannot have any dairy products at all, a multi-vitamin supplement must be given to satisfy their calcium needs.
