Terrapins are delicate creatures and not an easy pet to keep. They need proper care and attention of the owner – without which they may die soon.
Life span of a terrapin is more than 30 years, so the responsibilities of the owner also become a long-term affair.
An ambience as similar as their natural habitat is necessary for a long and happy survival. Poor husbandry causes a number of health problems or diseases and without treatment they can even be fatal.
Proper and balanced diet, controlled water temperature, clean water to swim in, sunlight or artificial UV light, careful handling, regular health check ups, etc can make one a successful owner of a terrapin.
Some of the key areas of ongoing terrapin care are shown below:
Diet – A hatchling needs non-vegetarian food like meat, fish, insects, cuttle fish, etc. while an older one can be given leafy vegetables and commercial foods. A calcium-rich balanced diet is very much important for them.
- 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.
Water temperature – It should be carefully monitored, as both too high and too low temperatures can be harmful since they are cold-blooded creatures.
- 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.
Water Quality – Clean water is essential. Hence, by regular replacement, filtration and removal of solid dirts manually by net or siphon the water can be kept clear of the left over foods and droppings which cause terribly foul smell and growth of various microorganisms.
- 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.
Sunlight or artificial UV light – Terrapins love basking in the sun for the need of UV rays to generate Vitamin D for a healthy and hard shell. If natural sunlight is not possible to be provided, the terrapinarium should be equipped with an artificial UV light source.
- 【 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.
Handling – Careful handling is necessary. Hold them firmly from the sides with a good support of both hands to prevent fall. A bad fall can cause death by breaking of shell, neck, limbs or head.
Avoid painful bites or scratches by a terrified terrapin. Every pre- and post-contact with a terrapin, washing hands with soap and disinfectant is necessary to prevent ‘salmonellosis’. Don’t allow a child below 5 years to handle a terrapin.
Health check ups – Regular health check up by an able veterinary doctor helps to detect various infections and other internal and external health problems. Application of antibiotics, vitamin A or a minor surgery in time can save them generally.
Keeping terrapin as a pet is no doubt expensive. But along with other accessories, these lovable creatures need an unconditional love of the keeper too. If you need to brush up on your terrapin care skills check out this handy terrapin care guide.
