Housing

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The type and size of enclosure used depend upon the species,

number and size of the water turtles to be housed.  Hatchlings

can be kept indoors in small aquariums.  Older or larger

specimens require a large aquarium or an outdoor pond (cement or

plastic-lined).  Contact the organizations and associations

listed at the end of this pamphlet for further information on

pond construction.



Careful attention must be paid to filtration systems, cleaning

requirements, and ease of draining water from ponds used to

house water turtles.  Rigid molded plastic swimming pools for

children are also suitable for housing water turtles, provided

they are adequately equipped with a filtration system and means

to replenish the water.



Any enclosure should provide adequate room for swimming and

sufficient dry area for resting and sunning.  Providing a dry,

nonsubmerged area is very important.  Water turtles, especially

juveniles, can become exhausted and drown when no such dry area

is provided.  Very small water turtles can be provided with a

piece of partially submerged wood or cork bark onto which they

can crawl for basking or under which they can hide.  Larger and

heavier water turtles require a more solid and immovable basking

area on which to completely crawl out of the water and rest.



A platform of flat rocks or bricks can be fashioned or a ribbed

wooden platform, the surface of which rests just above the

water's surface, can be provided for basking.  Any wooden

platform must have a substantially weighted base so it does not

topple over.  Driftwood, provided it is well anchored, can also

be used for resting and basking, and is a visually appealing

addition to an enclosure.



If an aquarium is used to house a water turtle, one end can be

used for a basking area.  A pane of glass can be inserted into

the aquarium to divide it.  About two-thirds of the available

area can be allocated for swimming and about one-third of the

area for basking.  Gravel can be used to fill the basking side.

Green plants can also be planted or placed in this area if

desired.  A small ramp made of wood or plastic can be attached to

the dividing pane of glass to allow the turtle easy access to the

basking area.  This area is also advantageous for breeding female

turtles, for it gives them a suitable area for laying their eggs.



The bottom covering for the enclosure must be carefully selected

for the species being housed, and must be non-toxic and

non-abrasive.  Soft-shelled turtles (family Trionychidae) like to

burrow and require very fine sand at a depth that allows near

total covering of the upper shell.  Small rocks should never be

used because they can be swallowed, resulting in damage or

impaction to the intestinal tract.