Buy Pet Turtle Brisbane ((FREE))
Any person wishing to keep reptiles (snakes, lizards or turtles) are by law, required to hold a Recreational Wildlife Licence. This allows the Government to keep track of the animals being sold by breeders and to regulate illegal practises; such as the unlicensed removal of reptiles from the wild. Licences are issued through Department of Environment and Heritage Protection (EHP).
buy pet turtle brisbane
It can sometimes take a while for you to receive your licence after submitting the form, but this is the perfect time to prepare for your new reptile. You should start to think about housing needs such as tanks, substrate, heating and lighting equipment, filters for turtles, etc. It is always a good idea to have your complete set up ready and going before you get your reptile to reduce stress on yourself and your reptile during the moving process. Come in and have a chat to our staff for more specific details about housing requirements.
Pet turtles don't cause noises (barking), allergies (feline furs), possible virus encounter (birds), and most of all they don't bite when annoyed (snakes and dogs). Turtles aren't as complicated to care for as compared to dogs or cats (purchasing either means several costly procedures should take place to ensure the pet's overall bodily security; shots, operations, etc). As though it wasn't enough, you have to provide crates, toys, dog houses, and grooming products.
Many turtles perish in captivity because they aren't treated and given attention of the same level as to their fur-covered counterparts. It's a common thought that turtles surpasses all animals with longevity, and if they are properly cared for, these animals can live for many decades. This will require pet turtles owner to pay attention to the turtle's food, living situation, and necessary treatments.
Before you jump onto the nearest pet store, the first thing you need to know is what kind of turtle is perfect for you (turtles, like many pets, have many varieties). This is crucial because different species require different environments and diets.
When you purchase a turtle, be realistic about its eventual size and longevity. Because some turtles grows to a size that makes them hard to keep, taking care of a large turtle is a bit of a challenge; they will require more food, more water, and more space (and more work for you).
As you already know, some turtle species could outlive humans (you). Therefore be prepared to accept them as a long term part of the family. Do not buy just for the sake of jumping on the bandwagon or because your friend's friends have it, or if you feel that you cannot make a commitment to the poor little creature.
In addition, if you've got a turtle and feel you cannot commit 'properly' anymore, do NOT simply let it go, for the turtle has become dependent upon you for food, water, and shelter. Take the pet to the vet, a shelter, a zoo or call a local turtle rescue group.
Turtles are a unique species of reptile who have special requirements in captivity which must be met to ensure they are happy and healthy. Turtles can live for many years, with some pet turtles having been reported to live over 50 years. It is important to consider this when choosing a turtle for a pet as it is a long-term commitment to ensure their health and wellbeing is maintained. Considerations include space available in their housing, special diet, environmental requirements including water quality and access to natural light.
The most common turtles kept as pets in Australia are the Eastern Long Neck Turtle and the Murray River Turtle [1]. In many states and territories, you may need a reptile keeper licence to keep a pet turtle. It is illegal to take a turtle out of the wild, so if you are considering bringing a new turtle into your home, you must obtain them from a licenced breeder or reptile keeper [1].
Wild turtles respond to colder weather by going into hibernation, allowing them to minimise their activity level and, therefore, feed intake at a time when food availability may be reduced. It is generally advised to maintain warm temperatures to avoid hibernation of captive turtles (particularly those in outdoor ponds) as hibernating turtles often hide under rocks and leaves, and can hibernate for several months. This makes it difficult to monitor the main indicators of optimal health which are feeding habits and activity levels, as well as skin and shell condition. Even if the location of a hibernating turtle is known, they should not be disturbed or handled. By maintaining their optimum temperature, you can avoid hibernation.
Both indoor and outdoor set ups for your turtle have their benefits and you need to take into consideration the different requirements for each. If your turtle is housed indoors, you may be able to better maintain the required temperatures. However, they will need to be taken outdoors regularly for natural sunlight and UVB bulbs need to be changed frequently [2,3,4]. If your turtle is outdoors, they will have unlimited access to natural sunlight, and you may be able to create an environment more similar to their natural environment. However, it can be harder to maintain temperatures and care must be taken to prevent access from predators or wild turtles [3]. Turtles are also excellent climbers so outdoor ponds will require high fencing to stop them from escaping [2]. Substrate is the layer of material that covers the bottom of a pond or aquarium. It is useful to help beneficial bacteria to grow and can provide somewhere for you to plant live plants if you wish to use these in your tank or pond. Substrate is not an absolute requirement but does provide a more natural environment for your turtle as they like to dig. Keep in mind that turtles may eat aquatic plants so make sure any plants are safe before putting them in with your turtle. When deciding on the substrate to use in your aquarium or pond, you should ensure that it is not a size that a turtle can consume; for example, sand can cause impactions which can lead to constipation [2]. Rocks or large pebbles are better options and are also easier to clean than fine gravel or sand.
A good quality filter and aquarium/pond heater is imperative for turtles as water quality and temperature directly affects their general health. Ensure that the chosen filter and heater are designed for the size (volume measured in litres) of your pond or aquarium. Large canister filters are recommended as turtles produce larger amounts of waste compared to fish, so you may find internal filters are not able to keep up with the filtration required [2]. Turtles need to be maintained in their Preferred Optimum Temperature Zone (POTZ) to thrive in their environment and be able to digest food effectively. For Australian turtles, this is between 20 and 28 degrees Celsius. You should also use multiple thermometers, with one on the opposite end of the aquarium or pond, and one directly adjacent to the heater. This will ensure the temperature is being maintained across the pond or aquarium. This should be checked daily, especially when the ambient room temperature is below their optimum temperature, as even short fluctuations in temperature can affect the health of your turtle. Daily checks will ensure you are aware if the water heater malfunctions, and it is ideal to have a backup heater so that faulty heaters can be replaced as soon as possible. Glass heaters should be stored in a cage to prevent your turtle breaking the heater [2].
You will need to use a water conditioner to ensure the tap water is safe for your turtle. Tap water usually contains chlorine and/or chloramine which are common disinfectants used to make drinking water safe for human consumption. There may also be trace heavy metal contamination from plumbing or waterways. These can all be harmful to turtles. To neutralise these, a water conditioner can be added to aquarium or pond water. Alternatively, letting water sit in a bucket/container for around 48 hours will allow chlorine to naturally dissipate but it will not remove other potential contaminants. Bottled water may contain disinfectants, and bore water often contains heavy metals, so use of a water conditioner is still recommended. You should avoid replacing large volumes of water at one time, as sudden changes in water parameters can cause your turtle to become ill [1].
Turtles are inquisitive and active animals. Hiding fresh fish, shrimp or insects in the substrate can so that your turtle can dig and search for their food can provide enrichment for your turtle. Natural branches and plants can provide areas for your turtles to hide and climb and rocks can be used for basking [2]. Turtles are generally very solitary animals in the wild, and they are perfectly happy living on their own. If you decided to house more than one turtle, they may fight or breed, so it is not recommended.
If their habitat and diet is well managed, generally turtles will remain healthy. There are no yearly vaccinations or worming treatments required for turtles like there are for cats and dogs, so the main form of health care is managing their husbandry well at home. Not all veterinarians have experience with turtles, so it is important to look for a veterinarian who is knowledgeable about exotic species, to seek advice should your turtle develop signs of ill health. Turtles do not generally show signs of illness until they are quite sick, so it is important to monitor them closely for any subtle changes in behaviour such as reduced feed and activity or weight loss. You may also notice a change in shell or skin colouration or texture if they are unwell, such as a softening of the shell or discolouration which can indicate water quality issues and/or bacterial or fungal infections. When acquiring a new turtle as a pet, it is recommended that they have a full health check with a veterinarian with experience treating turtles to ensure your new turtle has no signs of ill health or parasitism.
If your turtle is housed outdoors, it is important to ensure that predators and wild turtles are not able to access your turtle, as this could lead to injuries or transmission of disease. A high fence will keep out predators and wild turtles and ensure your turtle cannot escape. Escaped turtles are at risk from other animals (including dogs and cats) but they may also be injured by a car if they cross a road. Motor vehicle injuries in turtles are not uncommon and can be serious as they are not easy to treat with wounds taking a long time to heal. 041b061a72