That Reptile Blog – Reptile, Amphibian and Exotic Pet Care and Information
Turtle-keepers have a great many options when designing their pets’ homes…plastic bins, filtered aquariums, outdoor ponds, and many others all have their place. In this article I’ll cover everything you’ll need to create an inexpensive habitat for most semi-aquatic and aquatic turtles, including Red-Eared Sliders, Painted and Map Turtles, Cooters, Reeve’s Turtles and others. I’ll also mention money-saving alternatives to certain products, along with non-essential “extras” that can be added if you wish. Please see Part 1 for information on enclosures, basking sites and shelters.
Ultra-violet “B” Light
Turtles that bask in the sun (heliothermic species) need a UVB source in captivity. Most commonly-kept species, such as Sliders, Cooters, Painted and Map Turtles, fall into this category. Musk, Snapping, Soft-shelled and other largely aquatic species seem to do fine without, but many keepers provide UVB as “insurance”. Read More »
