Turtles

 
A Freshwater Turtle showing the three main sections of the shell.                                                   

                               

In Queensland, the freshwater turtles most commonly kept as pets are the Eastern Long-necked (also known as Snake-necked) Turtle characterised by its long, snake-like neck which is generally as long as the carapace (the shell) and the short-necked Brisbane River Turtles, Saw-shelled Krefft’s and Murray or Macquarie River Turtles.

 

Hibernation

 

Where winters are cold, turtles and reptiles will go into hibernation at that time of the year.   If turtles are kept warm during winter they will not hibernate but they may have a smaller appetite.      It will not harm your turtle to be kept warm and active during the cold months of the year. 

 

Hibernation is a dormant state where all body functions slow down greatly and turtles can’t control this in the cold.     If you allow your turtle to hibernate, remember that during hibernation a turtle’s digestive system slows down, so they should not be fed for about a month or so before the cold weather is expected, to allow the digestive tract to empty before they go into hibernation.   Any food left in the stomach during hibernation will decompose, often killing the turtle.    It is recommended that you do not allow your turtle to hibernate in their first year.

 

 

Housing

 

A standard 60x40x40cm glass aquarium tank is adequate for a young turtle measuring up to 10cm diameter or two hatchlings.   The water area must be large enough for the turtle to swim freely and deep enough to be able to submerge themselves completely.   The land area must also be big enough to allow them to move around freely and completely dry out after swimming.

 

The tank must be kept as clean as possible.    As soon as the water becomes dirty, it should be changed (approx. every 2-3 days).    Ensure the temperature of the new water is close to the temperature of the discarded water.    A small internal filter will reduce the frequency you need to change the water.

 

An aquarium heater will keep the water temperature at 22-25ºC which is ideal for your turtle and an aquarium thermometer will allow you to easily check the temperature of your turtle’s water.      In the wild, turtles like to bask in the sun so a light globe with a temperature range of 25-31ºC over the land area in your aquarium is ideal.    Turtles need UV rays to aid in the production of Vitamin D (this is needed to keep their shell hard).   Special fluorescent tubes are available for your turtle’s enclosure to provide them with the UV they require.

 

 

Feeding

 

If your turtle is very active and seems to be searching for food, this is the time to feed them.    They will begin to recognise a particular person or activity and may associate this with food and then expect to be fed.    A baby turtle needs to be fed regularly – approx. what they can eat in five minutes 2-3 times a day.   Remove any uneaten food as it will become debris and dirty the water.     As they get older, the amount of food that will fit into a matchbox, fed 2-3 times a week, is usually enough for an average sized turtle.     They can become obese so it is best not to overfeed them.    

 

Turtles will only feed in the water.    A water temperature under 20ºC will cause digestive problems and over 32ºC may cause regurgitation.    

 

Australian turtles are basically carnivorous.    Live fish, yabbies, shrimps, water snails, mealworms, crickets, frozen Turtle Dinners, Turtle Flakes and as they get older, Turtle Pellets can be offered.    Thaw out the frozen Turtle Dinner before feeding.       If feeding meat to your baby turtle, only feed the meat sparingly and only feed lean meat.

 

Calcium is very important in turtle diets.      Adding a Turtle Neutralizer Block to your turtle’s water will both condition the water and add calcium for maintaining a hard shell.

 

 

Breeding

 

To be sexed accurately, freshwater turtles must be at least 12cm long.    A slightly concave plastron and a longer tail will usually indicate a male when compared to a female of a similar size.

 

Australian turtles mate in late spring with the eggs being layed in early summer.     An average-sized female Long-neck Turtle will lay 10-12 eggs and Krefft’s will lay from 15-25 eggs.    The eggs are best incubated buried deep in sand at 27-29ºC.     If fertile, Long-neck Turtles will hatch in 60-75 days and Krefft’s after 45-55 days.    The young turtles should be placed in a clean tank separate from their parents.

 

 

Problems

 

Young turtles are very prone to fungus.     It is usually seen as a small whitish area which appears first on the feet and may spread to the face and tail.   Add Fungus & Finrot Remedy each time you do a water change until the turtle is at least 4 months old as a preventative measure.   Fungus & Finrot remedy can also be applied directly to any fungal areas if they do occur.

 

 

To keep a turtle in Queensland you need a Recreational Wildlife Licence (birds, reptiles, amphibians).   

You will need to ring the Ecoaccess Department on 1300 368 326 to find out the current cost of the licence (approx $55 for 5 years) and they can send you the application form or you can go to their website and print out the form by following these steps:

www.epa.qld.gov.au → Ecoaccess → Plants & Animals → Recreational Use of Animals → Application Forms → Recreational Wildlife Licence (birds, reptiles, amphibians)

We hope you found this information useful.    For information on specific turtle breeds or if  you have any other queries, please do not hesitate to ask our helpful, happy staff here at Yippeeio Pet & Aquarium Centre.

 

 

Yippeeio Pet & Aquarium Centre is an accredited member of the Pet Industry Association of Australia

and abides by its Code of Practice.