Caring for your baby snapping turtle
can be complex. The conditions for their
upkeep can be quite onerous for some: a variety of places where it may climb
and hide, clean water where it may swim, controlled temperature (75 to 78
degrees in Fahrenheit for the water, while 80 to 86 degrees in Fahrenheit for
the air) and lighting for optimal living conditions, and a place where it may
bask under the sun which should be roughly at 90 degrees in Fahrenheit.
The lighting should be on a 12-hour cycle of light and dark, with ultraviolet light so they can take in enough Vitamin D apart from processing calcium.
Your baby snapping turtles need to be
fed once daily only after they turn six months. Prior to six months, you need
to diligently feed them twice daily.
Your turtles are considered omnivores and can eat anything from insects,
fish, worms, to turtle pellets and aquatic plants. Just be careful since some
aquatic plants are toxic also. Don’t
forget to give them their calcium supplements daily and multivitamin
supplements weekly.
A sudden change in your pet's diet and/or eating habits should prompt a visit to your animal hospital Crown Point, IN.