Land turtle
How to keep a tortoise at home and how to care for it? The Land of Soviets will tell about the principles of proper care for land tortoises.
Many, deciding to have a land tortoise,consider it a very profitable and "convenient" pet. And what? She eats little, lives in a cardboard box. However, in order to make the turtle's stay in your house truly comfortable and safe, you need to provide it with a certain space.
Usually for the maintenance of the land tortoise (anyspecies) are used terrariums of horizontal type. The size of the terrarium is calculated on the basis of the size of the turtle itself. For two individuals up to 15-20 cm in size, a terrarium with an area of at least 0.5 m2, and for 20-30 cm - at least one meter. The terrarium should be wider than the largest turtle in it, at least 2-3 times - so that the animal can move freely.
In the terrarium must be a layer of soilthickness of 3-10 cm. Best for this purpose is suitable for small pebbles without sharp edges. Also, a land turtle needs shelter, which can serve as an inverted box, for example. In the box there must be an opening for entry of such dimensions that the largest turtle of the terrarium can freely pass through it.
The temperature regime in the terrarium should be maintained the same as in the habitual habitat of the turtle species you have chosen. On average, this is 20-35 ° C.
Land turtles love water, and those species,which in nature dwell in moist rainforests, are also very fond of lying in the water for a long time. Therefore, the terrarium should be equipped with a water bowl and a bathing tray. It is best to dump these devices a little into the ground, and also to provide the turtle with a convenient exit from the pallet, if it is deep.
Water for bathing turtle should be roomtemperature, always stand-by. Approximately once a week the turtle needs to be washed. To do this, pour a little water (30 ° C) into the tub or basin to cover the tortoise with a third. Gently wipe the tortoise with soap and water, carefully making sure that soapy water does not hit the animal's eyes. After bathing, wipe the tortoise with a towel and, if desired, oil the shell with olive oil - to strengthen.
Clean the terrarium once a month, and also eacha week, change the water in the water bowl and partially - the soil. Monthly, you should change the bedding and wash the walls of the terrarium with soap. You can also treat the terrarium with a special disinfectant.
Tortoises - animals are herbivores,so the main food for them are vegetables and fruits, stems and leaves of plants. Do not give the turtle spoiled food. If the food is hard, rub it on a grater or grind it with a knife. Once a week, add a little ground beef to the turtle's food. Also in the diet can be added in small portions of mineral dressing, sea kale.
For turtles, it is very important to obtain sufficientthe amount of ultraviolet, so in the summer the turtle can and should be strolled in the sun, but carefully monitor its safety, because the animal can easily get under the car. If possible, you can make for your land turtle a special paddock in the fresh air. In winter, always irradiate the tortoise with a special ultraviolet lamp.
