Tortoises (tortoises that live on land, have no webbed feet and can't swim) are relatively easy-to-grow pets, though you'll need some special equipment. Baby tortoises don't need to be cared for too differently from adult tortoises, unless you have to take special care of outside danger because they are very small and easy to attack. When you get a new tortoise, you must identify the species. There are many different species of tortoises that all come from different regions around the world and require different diets and habitats.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Preparing the Habitat
Step 1. Choose the right type of enclosed area
Baby tortoises need a habitat (a place to live), but not just any place can be used. The glass aquarium, which is used by most people, is actually not very good for a tortoise habitat because the four sides are too high and the bottom is not wide enough. The wider and shallower the container used will give much better results.
- A plastic container or storage container is suitable for indoor habitats. (Top cap is not required.)
- If you need a larger container, you can build or buy a turtle table, which is a wooden stand with a fence/railing around it and high legs.
Step 2. Make sure to adjust the UV exposure properly
In the wild, tortoises regularly bask in the sun to regulate their body temperature and absorb vitamin D. To maintain a tortoise's health, UV light is very important in its enclosure.
- It's a good idea to get your tortoise out to bask in natural sunlight for a few hours per week. However, do not place the glass enclosure in direct sunlight as this can cause the enclosed area to overheat.
- If your tortoise doesn't have a chance to get sunlight, use a UV lamp to provide artificial light.
- Appropriate UV exposure for a tortoise is determined by the species, but ranges from 8 to 12 hours per day.
Step 3. Make sure the turtle habitat has the right heat and humidity
All types of tortoises need a warm habitat to survive. Using a heating lamp to create temperature changes in such an enclosed environment is a good move. Preferably one side is around 22°C, and the other side is around 29°C. The exact humidity level will also depend on the species of turtle you have, so make sure you identify the turtle correctly.
- Desert tortoises are best kept in dry habitats, while tortoises from the tropics are kept in moist habitats.
- Some types of tortoise may require warmer habitats, so be aware of the requirements for your tortoise.
- You can increase the humidity by moistening the substrate, especially the area under a basking lamp. You can tilt the tortoise cage slightly to keep all the moisture on one side. This method provides a habitat with a variety of microclimates that the tortoise can choose from.
Step 4. Use the right base material for the cage
There are many different materials for cage bottoms available at pet supply stores, but not all of them are good for tortoises. The combination of soft soil and sand is an ideal base layer for a tortoise.
- Some people add a little water in the soil and mix it thoroughly while removing various unwanted materials in the process. This method will prolong the freshness of the substrate which reduces the frequency of substrate changes.
- The addition of critters such as earthworms, earthworms, and pillbugs (a kind of hard-skinned and 14-legged woodlice) can help the substrate to deplete longer through the aerating process and eating food debris.
Step 5. Provide a hiding place for the turtle
Be sure to include a variety of different objects that the tortoise can hide in if you wish. The hiding place will provide shade as well as security.
Part 2 of 3: Keeping Turtles Absorbing Moisture After Dehydration and Getting Nutrients
Step 1. Provide drinking water
Make sure you provide a shallow bowl of drinking water for your tortoise. Change the water regularly to keep it fresh.
Don't worry too much if your tortoise doesn't seem to be drinking much. Some types of tortoises, especially those from arid climates, drink very little water. However, still providing drinking water for the turtles is the right step
Step 2. Every week, soak or water your tortoise until it is soaking wet
Once a week or two, you should soak your tortoise in a bowl of room temperature (20-25˚C) water for about 10-15 minutes. This will help the tortoise retain moisture after dehydrating.
- Make sure the water depth does not exceed the tortoise's chin.
- The tortoise may start drinking while bathing, so make sure the water is kept clean.
Step 3. Give your tortoise a varied diet
All tortoises need to be fed a varied diet to ensure that they get all the nutrients they need. However, each species of tortoise requires food according to certain rules. Be sure to identify the species of tortoise you have and feed it the food recommended for that species.
- Desert tortoises should be fed a combination of grass, green leaves, and cactus flowers, with a little fruit.
- Grass predators such as leopard tortoises should be fed a variety of grasses and green leafy vegetables. You should not give him other types of vegetables, fruits or meat.
Step 4. Provide vitamins
It is very important to give your baby tortoise vitamin D3 and calcium supplements. Land tortoises can die without nutrition, so don't skip this step! Multivitamins are also great for balancing external nutritional needs.
You can buy a variety of supplements in powder form at any store that sells supplies for tortoises. You can also grind supplements in pill form
Part 3 of 3: Keeping the Tortoise Safe and Healthy
Step 1. Protect your tortoise from predators (predators)
Baby turtles are very easy to attack by predators because their body size is too small. Take special care to protect the baby turtles from animals such as dogs, cats, raccoons, and birds.
- If you keep your tortoise indoors, make sure that your other pets can't get close to the tortoise's enclosure.
- If you keep your tortoise outdoors, be sure to cover the enclosure with metallic gauze to protect it from predators.
Step 2. Don't handle the turtle too often
Baby tortoises are easily stressed, so it's best not to hold them too often. Gently petting them and hand feeding are fine, but it's best to wait until the tortoise is older to start handling it more often.
- If you handle a tortoise, be careful not to stress it by throwing it up or down.
- Do not allow children to handle the tortoise unsupervised or for long periods of time.
Step 3. Prevent pyramiding. Pyramiding is a very common condition in tortoises kept in cages. Pyramiding occurs when the shell grows abnormally so that its shape is uneven and instead hills (sticking out like a ridge). This condition usually begins to develop in the first or second year of life.
Pyramiding may be related to calcium deficiency and/or humidity levels. Try to increase your tortoise's calcium intake by sprinkling its diet with calcium balancing supplements. You can also try to increase the humidity level in the cage
Step 4. Prevent the occurrence of respiratory disease
Respiratory disease is relatively common in confined tortoises. "Runny nose syndrome" (RNS) is the term used to describe upper respiratory tract infections in land turtles. You can prevent this condition from developing in your tortoise by making sure its habitat is well cared for.
- Never give your tortoise junk food, even if the animal seems to like it. Always provide the recommended food according to your turtle species.
- Be careful not to allow the tortoise's habitat to become too humid. Always have a dry area at the bottom of the cage.
- Let your tortoise get as much sun as possible.
- Use a substrate material that won't create dust or get stuck in your tortoise's nose.
- It is also important to reduce stress on tortoises, and not to overcrowd the habitat with too many turtles in it.
Tips
- There are many different species of tortoise, and each type has its own needs. So, be sure to research your turtle breed/breed specifically for more detailed information.
- Land tortoises live very long and can get very large. So, make sure you are prepared to take good care of a turtle throughout its life before deciding to bring a baby turtle home.
- Even if you eventually plan to keep your tortoise outdoors, raising them indoors for several years is a good option.
