Cost of Buying a Terrapin

Terrapins are much easier to buy than looking after because these small reptiles in captivity really need good care and attention for survival.

You should realize this before bringing the teeny-weeny terrapin to your home.

Buying a terrapin does not mean purchasing the creature only. You have to get the proper kit beforehand for setting up an almost natural environment for it.

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You will need:

A square and transparent glass tank (Terrapinarium) to store clean water within which your terrapin can swim freely.

CIANO : Turtle Aquarium: Glass, 34.4L
  • The Tartarium 60 glass top is equipped with supports and dry area, made of white plastic with glossy finish, with plastic lid for rest of the torso and for optimal exposure to heat, essential for their well-being and growth. Plastic brackets and ramp with clear plastic cover to prevent the tor from jumping from the outside.
  • Glass thickness: 4 mm. Weight: 5.4 kg
  • Available in 3 sizes.

A good water filter, net, and a siphon to replace the water frequently;

Fluval Mini Underwater Filter, 200 Litre Per Hour
  • Fluval U Mini Underwater Filter provides simple yet efficient filtration that helps create excellent aquarium water quality.
  • The filter's small size makes it ideal for application in small fresh or tropical aquariums up to 45 L.
  • The filter's small size makes it ideal for application in small fresh or tropical aquariums up to 45 L.

Aa UV lamp, to be fitted in the tank, in case it is deprived of the warmth of the sunlight. A florescent lamp, especially made for the reptiles can be the best option as it can provide both UV-A and UV-B in actual proportion. Remember, terrapins are cold blooded reptiles.

LEDGLE 50W/75W Heat Lamp with Lampshade, UVA/UVB E27 Heat Lamp Bulb, for Reptile Turtle Chicken Coop Lizard Snake
  • 【 Safety Protections】This reptile heat lamp with metal anti-scalding net, can prevent your lovely pets from scalding efficiently, and avoid injuries or electric shocks if the light bulb ages and breaks.
  • 【 Easy to Place】You have two options for hanging the heating light. The hook at the top of lampshade is convenient for hanging on pet cage, and the hook rope 6.56ft in length is convenient to fix and adjust the high, preferably 20-30 cm away from the animal. This will prevent animals from being scalded by excessive temperatures.
  • 【E26 Lamp Base & Double Bulbs】 Equipped with 2 PACK E27 50W and 75W heat lamp bulbs, which can be changed as needed. Provides essential UVB and UVA rays for your reptiles pet. UV rays can effectively increase pet appetite, help digest food and promote balanced growth of nutrients, which is essential for healthy bone growth and prevention of metabolic diseases.

An elevated platform (Basking zone) to be made inside the tank so that your pet can come out of the water from time to time to take sunbath.

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A thermostatic heater, which is to be fitted inside the tank to control the water temperature at 20º to 23º C. The old fashioned filament lamp can also be useful.

HITOP Adjustable Aquarium Heater with Protective Cover, 30W 50W 120W Turtle and Fish Tank Heater for 5L to 120L Fresh Water and Seawater water Thermostat (50W)
  • Safe and Durable: We adopt 2mm thickened explosion-proof glass, 33% thicker than normal aquarium heaters, more durable, much safer for both human and animals.
  • Double protection: Protective cover wrapping the heater tube, and the triangular streamline design of this fish tank heater is full of modern sense, achieving both safety and space-saving, and looks beautiful in your aquarium.
  • Easy to Set Temperature: After set the temp you want, due to the automatic switch device and temperature detection system, this aquarium heater will turn off automatically when its temp reaches your pre-set, also will turn on when lower than it, safe and easy adjustment.

Well balanced food and supplements.

Supa Turtle & Terrapins Food Superior Mix 1 Litre Bucket | Made Using Premium Quality Natural Ingredients
  • Supa Turtle Food 1 Litre (Pack of 1) is a nutritionally balanced and delicious turtle food.
  • Best fed as a complementary food in conjunction with freshly prepared foods.
  • The Turtle Food contains only the highest quality natural ingredients: River Shrimp, Shrimp Flakes, Gammarus & Freeze Dried Tubifex.

The contact number of a good veterinary doctor nearby.

The initial set up may cost a little high, but after all it is going to keep YOUR pet healthy in the long run.

Well, now you have your terrapinarium ready with all necessary equipment and you are watching your pet swimming happily in the water.

But keep a few things in mind:

  1. Check and change water regularly because their feces can pollute the water which smells terribly and cause several kinds of infections. Use net to take out the uneaten foods also.
  2. Vitamin D deficiency can deform their shell. Make sure that it is getting vitamin rich food and enough sunlight or artificial source of UV light but never leave them in direct sunlight for long
  3. Provide protein rich non-vegetarian food during the growing stage. Adults prefer to eat vegetables more.

Don’t panic if your terrapin is not eating properly. It is a common and temporary occurring. Just wait and watch for a few days before calling the doctor.

Give care, love and affection to your terrapin and see it growing up with pleasure….!