How to choose the best pond for turtles?

turtle pond with fish

Our water turtles They are being very commercialized in several countries and surely at some point you have had the opportunity to enjoy these animals from a very young age as a pet.

However, few turtles manage to grow or become adultsdue to the lack of care and adequate measures required by this issue. That is why captive turtles need certain care and an ideal environment that is the most similar to the natural one, in order to grow healthy and live for many years.

Know the species of the turtle and its characteristics

In this sense, we must be committed to providing the turtle with a shelter with the right conditions to live, so here are some tips for your pet to grow up healthy and happy in a pond.

Know the species and its characteristics

There are different types of turtle with different needs and before placing it in a pond outsideIt is convenient that you know the species or genus to which your specimen belongs, as well as the state of health, size and requirements of the type of pond or aquarium it needs, since not all of them can resist cohabiting outdoors.

The size and condition of the turtle is importantbecause those of small size and those with some type of illness are more vulnerable to being abroad.

Choosing the pond and its location

It is necessary that the pond be staggered, that is, have multiple levels of height or also a pond that has aquatic areas and dry areas, since the turtle demands abundant water to swim and a dry area to sunbathe or a den to rest.

Natural light is essential in the pond so that your pet processes the necessary vitamin D in the absorption of calcium, in this way you will avoid the presence of skin diseases as well as, the softening of shell. However, there are times when your turtle needs shelter from the sun, so you can design some shadows with plants around the pond and a little out of the way so your turtle can’t eat them.

The temperature of the water is another factor to take into account. Turtles can’t cope sudden temperature changes because they could get sick, the ideal temperature would be about 2 degrees lower than the ambient climate.

There are also submersible water heaters that help maintain a suitable pond temperature.

Pond housing

If you have a patio or garden, it is best to use a fence around the pond, at a height that is at least twice the length of your turtle’s shell, so that it cannot escape by climbing. Likewise, Buries the base of the fence to prevent leaks in case of digging the earth.

To protect against predatory birds, cover the top of the fence with a mesh.

Don’t put turtles and fish togetherbecause they are not compatible and because they are predators, they will end up attacking the fish.

Cleaning the water

It is essential to renew or clean the pond water frequently

It’s essential renew or clean pond water frequentlysince turtles generate a lot of waste and make a lot of dirt.

If the pool of water is very large, then you will need a filter to help you keep the water free of impurities. There are also other products on the market that remove bad odor from water.

On the other hand, filling the pond with tap water could contain chlorine, causing damage to your turtle, especially its eyes. Therefore it is recommended let the water stand for at least 24 hours before placing your turtle in the pond.

Another faster alternative would be buy a special product to remove chlorine from the water.

Feed your turtle daily, rationalizing the doses to avoid remaining food remains and dirtying the water. Another alternative would be feed your turtle out of the pond and thus you do not run the risk of contaminating it.

How to choose the best pond for turtles?

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