Most turtles are aquatic or semi-aquatic animals. This fact leads many pet owners to assume these pets cannot drown. However, turtles have lungs and can drown if they lack oxygen supply. Can you drown a turtle? Yes, turtles can drown if they are unable to surface in time and breathe. Unlike fish who can breathe…
If you have a pet turtle, you may have noticed that it enjoys basking. Even after you put it back in the water, it still wants to go where the sun is. Basking benefits your turtle, but excessive basking is unhealthy and may indicate an underlying issue you need to address. Why is my turtle…
Do you know that turtles have nails that grow continuously, just like ours, since they are made of keratin? Therefore, at some point, you must clip your turtle’s claws when they are overgrown. How do you trim a turtle’s nail, and how long should it be? To trim your turtle’s nail, you simply wrap your…
The most distinct feature of turtles and tortoises is their shells. The shells have elaborate designs which add to their natural beauty. Painting a turtle’s shell is not good. Here is why. Can you paint a turtle shell? No, you cannot. Shells of turtles permit toxic chemicals from paint to enter the turtles’ bodies. This…
Did you know that turtles have almost similar reproductive organs to humans? Not only do they have ovaries but also uterine tubes, vagina, and uterus. Because of this, you may wonder if they have periods. Do turtles have periods? No. Turtles don’t have periods because they don’t undergo a menstruation cycle. Instead, female turtles usually…
Most pet owners are oblivious to the turtle overfeeding matter. Among many pets kept at home, turtles seem to have an insatiable appetite. Most pet owners encourage this habit by overfeeding these pets. Can you overfeed a turtle? Yes, if you feed your turtle too much, it counts as overfeeding. Overfeeding comes with multiple health…
The myth that turtles cannot do tricks is false. Turtles are intelligent and can follow simple instructions. They might not be as social as cats and dogs, but you can still train them. Can you train a turtle? Yes, you can. Many pet turtles can learn how to perform tricks. You just need to be…
Turtles are resilient animals and can hold their breath for over 30 minutes while resting. When this happens, you might think your pet has passed away. Apart from checking breathing patterns, there are many more ways to check if it is alive or not. How can you tell if a turtle is dead? One way…
If you figure out grey or whitish spots in the turtle shell, it’s probably rotting. A foul odor can further confirm it and require you to treat it with some topical medicine. How to treat shell rotting at home? Shell rotting in turtles is typically treated with topical antibiotics such as silver sulfadiazine or mupirocin….
Wild or domestic turtles tend to hide under rocks, logs, or around plants in the tank or yard to feel protected. If they don’t get a suitable place to hide for protection or rest, they’ll retract into the shell with their heads and legs folded. How to get a turtle to come out of hiding?…