TANKS FOR EVERYTHING

“Housing turtles properly is definitely the most important part of taking care of turtles,” explains our source. “A huge enclosure should be provided, considering that the peninsula cooter is a large species. Giving them more than ample space is healthy and good for their growth and development.”

Water level is important and should be deep enough to allow them to swim freely. A ramp leading to a basking area is also a must, because the peninsula cooter loves to bask, especially in groups. The gap between the water surface level and the ramp should not be so big that it prevents the turtle from jumping in and out of the water with ease. “My ideal water level for my turtle enclosures is at least one foot,” says our source, “because giving them a water level deep enough is ideal for their health and enjoyment. [This] species loves to swim.” Peninsula cooters spend most of their time in the water so keeping them warm and clean is a priority. They can be quite messy due to their high protein diet so they require quite a strong filter to keep them clean.

Water should always be treated before being introduced to the turtle’s enclosure to remove the chlorine. If you do not do this, trace elements in tap water can disturb the biological pads in your filter and even affect the turtle. A constant temperature of 25 degrees Centigrade should be maintained day and night. A water heater can be used to keep the water warm, according to a 2019 article from Northampton Reptile Centre. “Some setups do not have filters,” says our source, “but the water will definitely get dirty faster than enclosures with filters.” Water changes are another good way to keep the water clean, and different keepers follow different frequencies of changing their enclosure’s water. “I personally do water changes for my turtles at least once or twice a week at around [a third] of the total water volume.”