Care sheets designed for you to use at the point of sale with your retail customer. Copy and use them for every sale.

The care of commonly kept turtles such as Map Turtles (Graptemys sp.), Yellow Bellied Sliders (Trachemys scripta scripta), Cooters (Pseudemys sp.), African Mud Turtles (Pelusios sp.) and Soft Shelled Turtles (Trionychidae family).

Housing: - A large fish tank at least 5ft x 2ft x 2ft is best for a pair of adult turtles although if more space can be given then this is even better.  Two land areas should be available to them one at the cool end and one at the basking end.  If you have an adult female then it is often advised to silicone a glass panel in at the hot end in order to create a deep layer of peat/sand for a nesting site, to prevent potential egg binding as females will chicken lay even if a male is not present.  The majority of turtles will dig nest sites up to 30cm in deep so this should always be taken into consideration when designing your enclosure. In the very least the basking site should allow the turtles to be able to climb clear of the water and dry their shells completely as this aids in reducing fungal and bacterial shell problems.  Nesting sites can be added later if youngsters are being bought.

Heating/lighting: - Heating is best provided by an over head heat source such as a ceramic heater on a thermostat, with daytime temperatures being set for 30oC during the day and turned down to 20oC on the night time.  Water heaters should be kept at 22 to 24oC for youngsters and 20oC for adults, the majority of turtles will reduce their feeding if the water temperature falls below 16oC for too long.  UVB lighting is essential for these species, a 5.0, 8.0 or 10.0 is suitable depending upon the distance from the turtle when it is basking.  This should be left on for twelve hours per day and replaced every six to seven months.

Water/Filtration: - Water depth is a common mistake, never have water over around a few inches for youngsters and adults doesn’t really matter as long as they can climb out with ease to rest.  Map Turtles are particularly prone to water quality so a good filter should always be used and the water should be cleaned regularly, to prevent ammonia and other toxins building up.  As an adult, larger filters are more efficient at maintaining water quality, good ones to use are Fluval or Koi filters.

Food: - One common problem that people get with juvenile turtles particularly when purchased very young is getting them to feed. If all the husbandry is set up correctly then usually moving food such as small fish, woodlice, insects, worms, etc will get a feeding response.  Dried food is ok as treats but should never be relied upon entirely, fresh foods are always best.

Once the turtle is feeding as varied a diet as possible should be provided, suitable foods include: - Fishes, earthworms, crickets, locusts, waxworms, mealworms (not too often as tough chitin exoskeleton is hard to digest), snails, pond weeds, water cress (along with other green plant matter), dandelions, shell fish (rinsed well), prawns (preferably with shells on), small rodents, Bloodworm (should be used sparingly as it has been linked to digestive problems), small amounts of liver, fruits are occasionally taken.  Most youngsters start off as being primarily carnivorous leading onto a more omnivorous diet as adults.  Young should be fed daily with adults being fed every other day.  Using an external feeding bowl can reduce the problem of dirty water, an un-used washing up bowl is ideal for this purpose.  This should be partly filled with tepid water and they should be placed into it with their food, if they are left in these for approximately half an hour to an hour after feeding has finished then most of the faecal matter will be passed out of the system this can be disposed of along with the uneaten food.  They should then be wiped down and returned to their homes.

It is vitally important that you have considered the following points

1.Turtles and terrapins often live in excess of 25-30 years.

2. You will need to provide a good mixture of dietary requirements, they cannot be fed on just dried and commercially prepared foods, they need insects, worms, etc etc..

3. They can be smelly, and need regular cleaning out – remembering the risks of salmonella, wash your hands with a good quality anti-bacterial soap after any contact

4. They are escape artists, especially in open top enclosures – be cautious in construction methods - don't lose them in the first place!

5. Believe it or not turtles can bite. Although harmless with no venom, it can be a shock if it should happen.

6. Turtles can grow large and quickly, be aware of the adult size of the turtles - Cooters can reach 10-16”, Terrapins 8-12”, Stinkpots 5”, Snappers 18”.

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I understand that any purchase of animals made here is with the full understanding of the above and that I have been fully informed of the correct husbandry requirements for the species chosen. I have been given a copy of this care sheet. I am over the age of 16.

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