Did you know that tortoises have been on the planet for 55 million years?Some tortoises have been known to live to be over 150 years old.Tortoises are great pets if you care for them for the long haul.We will walk you through everything you need to know about caring for your pet tortoise, from feeding them to handling them and providing the right type of shelter.Keep reading to learn how to care for your tortoise.
Step 1: You can choose your tortoise.
There are many factors to consider when choosing a tortoise, from the way you want your tortoise to look, the environment it prefers, and how much money you would like to shell out on this shelled creature.Once you commit to caring for this particular species, any type of tortoise will become a wonderful pet for your family.There are many different species of tortoises, some of which are more common.The tortoise you bring home may be small and cute initially, but some species can grow over two feet in length after a few years of care.If you're really committed to having one for a long time, try not to get caught in their appearance, and consider what species best suit your lifestyle, financial income, surroundings and whether or not you can provide the required care of that specific species.
Step 2: You can buy a tortoise from a seller.
It's important to purchase your tortoise from a seller you respect, who has a history of making a successful sale, and who can promise that you have been given the tortoise under healthy conditions.If you buy a tortoise at a reptile show, you won't be able to get in touch with the seller again, so there's no way he or she can check up on how you're caring for your tortoise.You can find a seller who cares about their customers if you go to a pet store or shop online.It's more likely that you are making a solid transaction if your seller says that he or she will be easy to contact after the sale is made.There are legal restrictions on keeping and breeding some tortoises.The seller should have a certificate from C.I.T.E.S. if this is the case for the tortoise.There is a convention on international trade in protected species.
Step 3: It's important to make a long commitment to your tortoise.
If you only have a year or two to take care of your tortoise, it may not be the right pet for you.Your pet may live longer than you if it is a tyrannosaurus rex.Make sure you get a pet tortoise when you live in a stable environment and know you can find someone to take care of your tortoise if you have to move or leave.You don't need to be settled in one place for 50 years, but you should be prepared for many years of care for the new addition to your home.
Step 4: Feed your pet.
Depending on the species of tortoise you've chosen, the type of food your tortoise eats will largely depend on it.If you want to make a part of the tortoise's staple diet, you need to ask the source where you got it.Most tortoises eat mixed leafy greens, such as a typical "spring mix" you can find at any grocery store.When tortoises are babies, they need to eat softer foods because their jaws are too small to tear them apart.It's important to know what type of tortoise you are, because tortoises can eat most vegetables if you mix them with mixed greens.It is possible that your tortoise needs supplements to grow healthy and strong.If the tortoise is kept indoors without UV light, the supplements need to be fortified with calcium and vitamins A and D.Some tortoises like fruit and leaves.
Step 5: Provide your tortoise with some water.
Your tortoise needs enough water to stay hydrated.If you want to prevent your tortoise from flipping it over, you can put some water in a shallow tray or saucer and sink it into the floor of the enclosure.It should be shallow so that your tortoise can easily stand in it and place its head in the water without being completely submerged.The water should be replaced daily.Your tortoise should have its own bowl of water.
Step 6: Take care of your tortoise.
If a tortoise's shell breaks, they will die from an infection.If you want to hold your pet tortoise, try to take it easy, or let others hold it.Your favorite creature can be stressed out by this.If there are small children around, explain to them that it's better if they watch it and don't contact it.
Step 7: The baby tortoise should be soaked in water a few times a week.
Tortoises need to stay hydrated.When you bring your tortoise home, make sure to keep its head above water and soak it in water a few times a week.The tortoise will drink when it is good and soaked.This will be a sign that everything is running smoothly.When it comes to soaking your tortoise, remember that more isn't always better.It should be fine every other day.The baby bath temperature is what the water temperature should be.
Step 8: You can choose the type of shelter you want for your tortoise.
You should provide an outdoor shelter for your tortoise.Some people don't like the idea of caring for a tortoise only indoors.If you're really committed to having one, you should be prepared to have some outdoor shelter for it, unless it's a smaller tortoise or a variety that is able to just stay indoors.If you want to have an indoor tortoise only, then you should do your research and pick a species that can handle this.You can keep your tortoise indoors for the colder months and let it roam outside during the warmer months.You should be prepared for both types of housing.You can learn the proper care for your tortoise in the sections below.
Step 9: There should be adequate indoor housing.
You have to think about what kind of enclosure you want for your tortoise, whether it's a glass aquarium or a terrarium.You should have at least 3 square feet for a baby tortoise.If you want to keep a baby in a tank, you need to make sure it has enough room to grow.tortoises get frustrated when they try to walk through the glassTo keep them from getting confused, tape paper to the outside of the tank.A plastic sweater box can be used for a baby tortoise.The bonus of having foggy sides is that they won't frustrate tortoises as much as glass.The tortoise won't escape if the enclosure is high.
Step 10: Provide your indoor tortoise with adequate lighting.
If your tortoise is outside, you don't need to worry about him or her having enough light.If you want your tortoise to be healthy, you need to make sure it gets enough light.If you want to provide proper lighting for your tortoise, you should either use a desk lamp with at least 100W of power for heating, or a single mercury-vapor lamp.Depending on the species, the lamp's temperature should be between 30 and 35 C.If you position the lamp correctly, your tortoise will be able to soak up the heat and cool down at separate parts of their enclosure.It is important for your tortoise's health and happiness to have heat and UV light.They like basking in the light.
Step 11: The tortoise needs the proper food.
Proper composition and covering of the floor of your tortoise's environment is required to ensure health and safety.The most important thing is to make sure that your tortoise is not overly moist or prone to infections if they get cuts or unhealed skin.You have a species of tortoise.If you have a creature that needs mid to high humidity, you need to make sure it has a good substrate.In this case, it should include things like coconut coir.If you have a creature that needs a more dry climate, you should include grass clippings and dry coconut coir.Tortoises may eat sand and cause harm to themselves, so don't use it.The natural environment should be suitable for your tortoise when it is outdoors.Peat moss can be added to the environment for stimulation.Don't add anything that's free of chemicals or pesticides.
Step 12: It's a good idea to create a barrier for your tortoise.
It's ideal for your tortoise to be outdoors during normal temperatures.You can't just let your tortoise do what it wants.If you want the tortoise to remain in the perimeter, you'll need an escape-proof barrier.Concrete bricks can be mortared together or painted.It should be nice and secure because your tortoise might try to dig in to the corners of their enclosure.Adding a wire mesh below the barrier will keep your tortoise safe.If you live in a place that gets below 60F/15C in the winter, you will have to temporarily bring your tortoise indoors.If you live in a hot climate and want to keep the tortoise outside, you should always have shade over moistened areas or water sources.
Step 13: Provide a place for your tortoise to sleep.
To make your tortoise feel safe, and to provide some shelter from the heat, the rain, or other elements that may be in the way, you'll need a shelter.It's important to keep your tortoise nice and warm.The hut should be where the tortoise sleeps and weathers the climates.It is possible to make it out of wood and cover it with a few inches of soil and a heating element for the cold weather.Just dig a hole.A plywood barrier can be placed inside the floor.To shelter your tortoise, add a top to the hide box.The shelter should be covered with dirt and soil.
Step 14: Provide plants for your tortoise.
You should keep an adequate amount of plants around for your outdoor tortoise so that he or she can eat and feel secure throughout the day.Look into the diet of your tortoise to see which plants are not toxic.Many tortoises will eat broadleaf weeds such as dandelions.Live plants can help control Ammonia and Nitrates in the soil, which reduces the number of substrate changes in indoor enclosures.
Step 15: Provide stimulation to your tortoise.
An exciting environment is what your tortoise should have.Adding some grasses clump will help your tortoise burrow and allow for some shade.If the boulders aren't too steep, you can add a few to give your creature some privacy.Adding some small trees for shade and shelter will make the environment look nice.
Step 16: Protect your tortoise from other creatures.
If you are taking care of your tortoise outdoors, you will have to take precautions to make sure it is safe from cats.Even the gentlest dogs have been shown to attack tortoises without warning.It's impossible to keep your tortoise completely safe from birds, foxes, or other predatory creatures, but you can keep it protected by having lots of shelter and places for it to hide, keeping its enclosure intact, and keeping an eye on the outside environment.Some people recommend that you line a juvenile tortoise's home with wire mesh.
Step 17: If your tortoise closes its eyes, help it stay healthy.
Many people think that something is wrong with the eyes of a tortoise.This is rarely serious.If a tortoise keeps its eyes closed, cover its shelter and soak it in a bit of water to make the environment more moist.If this is a chronic problem, try applying a water+salt solution into its eyes 1-2 times daily until they're able to open them, then feed them small amounts of Spinach as a source of Vitamins A and C.If symptoms persist for more than a week with home treatment, see a reptile doctor.
Step 18: Meeting their basic needs will help your tortoise stay active.
It's normal for baby tortoises to sleep most of the day, but if they are completely inactive, you have to start looking for the problem.The most common reason is that your tortoise is too cold.Make sure the enclosure is warm in comparison to the environment.If your tortoise is indoors, make sure he or she gets enough light.Brighter lights make it more active.Make sure your baby tortoise is getting plenty of water.If your tortoise isn't properly hydrated, they may be inactive.As stress could cause inactiveness, try to minimalize handling.A balanced diet is important for your tortoise.Check to see that your mix of green veggies and supplements is giving you everything you need.
Step 19: Take care of your tortoise's shell.
If your tortoise develops a soft shell, it's probably because they're not getting enough light and Calcium.It can happen to indoor tortoises because it can be harder for them to have access to a steady light source.If your indoor tortoise has a soft shell, make sure that he or she is at least 8 inches from the UV light source, and that the bulb is changed after 9 to 12 months to remain fresh and active.