1.environment
Water turtles live in the water, the depth of the turtle water than the turtle's back can be a little higher than the depth of the turtle's back, do not have to be too deep, at most, do not exceed the height of the turtle's back 2 times, it is best to provide a piece of water above the surface of the rock, so the turtle climbed up to the back of the sun; turtles need sunlight, if completely indoor rearing, we must often allow him to bask, ten minutes a day, the sun, the sun, the sun, and the sun. If the turtle is kept completely indoors, it should be allowed to bask in the sun frequently for more than ten minutes a day. It is recommended to keep the turtle in the south-eastern part of the tank where it can get sunlight for about 1-2 hours (no need for direct sunlight for a long period of time), and to provide shading (you can put a small piece of board on the top of the tank to partially shade the sun) to avoid heatstroke. In summer, you should pay attention to prevent algae growth in the tank, you can buy algae remover, which is available in general aquarium stores. The bottom of the tank can be covered with small stones or large pebbles. However, if you do, it will be very troublesome to change the water, and newbies are advised to use a bare tank, that is, nothing is paved. Do not put water plants in the water.
2, turtle water
To be used to dry more than 2 days of tap water (in addition to the purpose of chlorine), it is best to prepare two plastic buckets to dry, you can meet the water required. It is recommended to change the water once every two to three days, each time as long as part of the change, do not need to change the whole tank, unless the water and the tank is very dirty around the need to change the whole tank. Part of the water change with a small plastic tube using the siphon principle to suck out the bottom of the dirty water, and then add the same volume of new water (i.e., drying 2 days of tap water) into the tank can be. Turtles with this water change will not have white eye disease or rotten nails. If it is too much trouble, you can use a filter, which is the same kind used for keeping fish. In summer, you need to change the water more frequently.
2, the turtle in the water to eat, feed directly put the feed in the water on the line. Turtles are generally fed pork, beef, small shrimp, small fish, poultry fish liver, these foods should be chopped or torn, but these animal feed is very easy to pollute the water. It is recommended to take the turtle out when feeding. Beginners are recommended to feed feed, good feed such as lifeblood, inch of gold, are good. The feed is more economical, and the professional turtle feed has a better nutritional mix, and it is not easy to pollute the water quality. Summer temperature is high, turtle metabolism is fast, you can feed once a day, but generally recommended to feed every other day, because turtles do not need to feed too often, they are very slow metabolism animals. Of course, if you are very busy, once every few days is fine, as long as you ensure adequate water supply, they do not eat for half a month is not a problem, the turtle each time to feed the amount of food is usually their head plus neck size of the portion is enough.
4, about hibernation
October to May each year when the temperature drops below 13 ℃, the turtle will start to hibernate, until the temperature rises to 18 degrees end. Hibernating turtles don't eat, don't move, and only sleep. The easiest way to hibernate is to move the turtle indoors to a dark and quiet place, hibernate in shallow water (water just above the dorsal armor), and change the water once a month. Try not to disturb the turtle except for water changes. Be careful that the temperature does not fall below 6 degrees, otherwise the turtle's life will be jeopardized. However, it is advisable to use a heating rod in the winter, because the mortality rate of natural hibernation is very high. Heating rods are the kind used to keep tropical fish, with the temperature set at about 30 degrees and a lid on the tank.