Pet Turtle Illnesses
Pet Turtle Illnesses
Pet Rock Question?
Yay! I just got the perfect pet rock! He has google eyes and I named him Oscar! But I need some help, I think I should get him a friend and name her Roxie. Also, what do they eat?? People say they eat nothing but I don't beileve that. His "house" is a plastic box, with plenty of rocks and water. So its like where a turtle would live. He also has his own pillow! (Spoiled little rock!!) I sound stupid but im not like 34 or something (no offense 34 year olds!!) so don't give me stupid answers. Um, oh how do you prevent dry skin because he really likes going outside in the cold air to play in the leaves. Also name some illnesses and how to cure them or prevent them....Also how do I keep the glue from coming off when he goes for a swim. Last, any videos on pet rocks? Thanks!
he's currently on a diet of dirt (also just a little detail i have 2 cats)
good answers, but you have only answered a few of my questions...
PLEASE PLEASE help!!
They mainly eat their own bodies as a main source of sustainence (it sounds brutal but it helps them grow ironically), and to prevent dry skin, just make sure you moisten your pet rock's pillow (if he's spoiled enough to have one, that is.) They get soliditis, which is incurable as of yet, but they are working on a cure as we speak very diligently in a lab in New Mexico. And there's no way to keep the glue from coming off it seems, little buggers always get it off somehow, like a baby with its diapers.
Your Turtle Source - What Should You Ask Before Buying A Turtle?
Turtles can be bought in pet shops or from breeders. If someone wanted to purchase a turtle, he could go directly to a store, visit the breeders he knows, or even find online sources. But have you ever asked yourself where your pet turtles (and the rest of the turtles in pet shops) come from? Have you ever taken the initiative to find out? Sometimes it helps owners—whether prospective, beginning, or experienced—to know where the turtles come from, to be able to take extra precautions against disease or even illegal trading.
1. Turtles From Their Original Wild Habitats
Wild turtles are caught to be sold to the pet industry. This can be quite an unlucky fate for these turtles. From the very moment they are captured and taken from their natural habitats, stress and fear can cause them terrible consequences. It is not surprising then that some of them die or are injured en route to captivity. In their natural settings, turtles do not follow a fixed time and schedule for their feedings and water consumption. When captured, they may become lazy or listless. This process of capturing and taking turtles from their original environment also affects the population of the turtles in the wild, and may even present damage to their natural habitat. It has been reported that the search for gopher tortoises had unscrupulous turtle collectors wrecking the natural habitats, like rock crevices and bogs, of the animals. These actions can greatly damage the ecosystem as a whole.
2. Ranched Turtles
When wild-caught turtles are raised to a marketable size in captivity, or their eggs or hatchlings sold, we consider them to be "ranched." At least 10% of adult ranched turtles will die from overcrowded conditions, and ranchers will have to resort to making up the balance by taking even more turtles from the wild. Baby red-eared sliders are said to be the biggest number of ranched species raised for export on farms in Louisiana.
3. Captive-bred Turtles
Captive-bred turtles, raised by pet owners or small retailers, are animals caged for a long time, which are then mated with other captive turtles. The eggs they lay are then sold through on-line dealers or pet stores.
4. Turtle Farming
Turtle farming means that the turtles are born in captivity and have had 0% exposure to the natural environment. According to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service studies and reports, a very large percentage of the total turtle importation in the US is almost always of animals seized from their wild habitat.
If you know the source of your pet turtle, the novice owner should go to his veterinarian to have his turtle examined. This is especially true for turtles that initially originate in feral locales. These turtles may carry very serious diseases or illnesses that can be dangerous to you and your loved ones. Remember, turtle ownership should be an enjoyable endeavour for you and your family. It should never place you or your loved ones in danger of compromising your health. You cannot, simply by looking at a turtle, determine if it has an illness or is carrying a disease. Only your veterinarian can tell. This is why it is so important to purchase a turtle from a reputable breeder or store, and to have an independent examination by your veterinarian.
About the Author
Karma Williams is a pet turtle care enthusiast who has raised turtles for over 23 years, and enjoys helping others get started in this amazing hobby. You can discover more about turtles by visiting the turtle types and turtle pets pages of her website. Get your free 10 part Pet Turtle Care mini couse, valued at $49, by visiting her www.PetTurtleCenter.com website and requesting it. Her newest eBook entitled "The Ultimate Guide to Pet Turtle Care" teaches turtle lovers everything they need to know about acquiring, caring for, and feedingpet turtles so that they stay healthy, contented, and will thrive for years and years to come!
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