SELECT PAGE
|
Florida turtle (Trachemys scripta elegans (Wied, 1838)) is one of the most popular pets because of their low cost small size and ease of maintenance. We consider this animal, aquatic, a kind all terrain that can be found both in rivers and swamps, ponds and even in brackish water.
They are raised on farms in the United States and Asia and is exported all over the world by millions every year but originally come from central and southern United States.
A turtle is pretty flat. The offspring with a size between 2.5 and 4 cm have a very striking color formed by bright green and yellow hues and several ocelli of the same color. Identifies what most are the red spots present on both sides of the head behind the eyes typical of the species. The adults have a less intense staining being mostly dark green and yellow.
The maximum size that can be achieved is approximately 30 cm. In both sexes the female is slightly larger. The main differences between the sexes lies in the more concave plastron in males who also have a longer tail. But the most important feature is the presence of central nails front feet and larger than used for courtship.
Are resistant animals that tolerate a wide temperature range. Thus they can keep abroad all year except for the small fry have to be guarded in those locations where winter frosts occur importance. In captivity can be kept in perfect condition in a small area aquaterrariums equipped with water maintained at a temperature between 20 and 24 º C. For this we use a small heater with thermostat.
Water conditions are not particularly important except for young animals are more easily to contract bacterial infections when the polluted water. It is therefore advisable to place a sponge filter or the like in order to collect the waste. Both the food and the turtles themselves quickly degrade the water so it will be advisable to perform water changes every two or three days.
The aquaterrariums should be supplemented with some dry emerged where a small bulb was installed to heat the turtles. An important factor not usually taken into account and that is especially important to prevent skin problems and in their shells is the need of taking direct sunlight. Keep it exposed a few minutes in a bowl of water is sufficient to take ultra-violet rays they need.
In case of not wanting to be aware of this detail can install a small lamp on aquaterrariums himself.
Their food is not complex. Are quite voracious animals that tend to change their habits with age. The young turtles need more protein diet. In nature, even animals are scavengers that feed on fish and small mammals killed. In captivity can base their main diet in the commercial food pellet or stick that is very balanced and include all the vitamins and minerals. In mature protein demand is lower and we offer a diet with more vegetables and plants. Lettuce, chard and spinach are either consumed foods although this can vary between specimens. Finally it should be noted that turtles have a calcium requirement for what we offer several times a month calcium and vitamins.
This lack of calcium is often present with a gradual loss of strength in its shell. Other problems that often occur in the maintenance are attributable to poor diet especially in vitamins and minerals, plant cold without heaters or exposed to air currents may deteriorate into respiratory problems. This problem can be detected by a gradual loss of appetite, appearance of mucus and abnormal behavior especially when in the water. It is also common that some animals had their eyes closed or swelling. Its causes are many including lack of vitamins. A treatment with a special eye drops or ointment is usually sufficient to correct the problem.
Other problems that we can find is with the appearance of various skin infections as a result of a particularly degraded. These infections are often distinguished in assessing a loss of coloration of the animal or cottony masses in some areas of the body. Salt water baths and maintenance completely dry for a few days, in addition to correcting the safety of the facility, are often sufficient to mitigate the damage. |
|
|
