Terrapins

Your Complete Guide!

What are Terrapins?

Terrapins In Captivity

Terrapins are often dumped in local parks and ponds when the owner realises how long they will live and

how big they will get.

The hatchlings are so tiny and cute owners do not consider that they will be

so difficult to look after.

The “Death Bowl”

At one point these less than adequate bowls were commonly sold at pet shops

as appropriate homes for Terrapins.

Luckily the internet has made it easy for keepers to communicate and advise

others to avoid such cruelty.

Terrapins living in this environment were never to last longer than a year and

experienced keepers have since dubbed it ‘the death bowl.’

Proper Care

Habitat

• Substrate• Plants• Basking Site• Water• Temperatures• Ventilation• Lighting

Substrate

• Soft Shells are one of the few species that require substrate.

• Sand can be very harmful to filters.

• Gravel makes cleaning difficult.

• Most keepers use large rounded stones or have a clear bottomed tank.

Plants• Plants are great as a

hiding place• They also provide a

great addition to a healthy diet

• Although they will eat most varieties, most Terrapins prefer a plant known as duckweed.

Basking Site

• It is very important that a basking site is provided for the Terrapins to get completely dry.

• Without this there is a risk that your Terrapin will drown.

Water

• Frequent water changes are necessary to keep your Terrapins happy and healthy.

• It should be filtered.• Heating may be

required.

Ventilation

• Ventilation in your habitat will help prevent harmful respiratory infections.

• Be careful not to provide an escape route while adding ventilation!

Lighting

• Terrapins need a heat lamp to bask under and a UVB bulb to give them vitamin D.

• UVB lights must be replaced every 6 months.• There are many ways of setting up lighting.

Health

Before buying a terrapin you should check for the following things

• Bright eyes• Clear nostrils• Active• Not discoloured• Hard shell

Diet

Handling

Please be aware of:• How fast the terrapins

can move• That they can spread

salmonella• They are delicate• Dropping them could

cause damage• They may bite• Handling could be

stressing the terrapin out a lot.

Questions?

I hope you have enjoyed my slideshow, before I show you a few pictures and links do you have

any questions?

Links

• The information from this slideshow was extracted from:

• http://www.terrapintank.co.uk/• http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/

Frick!

This is a nice picture of a Yellow Bellied Slider having a relaxing bask!

Donatello!

This little hieroglyphic cooter is having a quick surf on tea before he eats it!

Sydney

Sydney is a three striped

mud terrapin, and

in my opinion the

cutest hatchling the world ever saw!

Ernie!

This soft shell terrapin is

moving the plants around his

aquarium to suit his own taste.

Obviously did not approve of them

before!