A group of mostly aquatic turtles with endemic distributions in the United States and Central America are known as mud turtles. The slow-moving waterways with muddy or silty bottoms are where you can find these little turtles, which resemble Musk turtles. Mud turtles, on the other hand, are often smaller and have flatter, dome-shaped shells than Musk turtles.
Due to their small size and relatively easy maintenance, mud turtles are a common type of pet turtle in the hobby. Most mud turtle species are carnivores that consume small fish, mollusks, worms, insects, crustaceans, and even dead animals.
Care as a Pet
Housing
Freshwater ecosystems are home to mud turtles. They favour little ponds with muddy bottoms, both temporary and permanent. Muck turtles can be found buried beneath the mud as the ponds begin to dry up. These turtles need an aquatic environment. They can be kept in koi ponds or aquariums. It’s not necessary for their aquarium to have a lot of water. Substrates are also not required in the aquarium. The turtle should be covered by the water in the aquarium, but it should be shallow enough for the turtle to be able to stretch to the surface. They require 25 to 40 gallons of water in their tank.
Heat
Actually, as long as the water temperature doesn’t drop below 70 degrees, these turtles don’t require water heaters. Keep an eye on the water’s temperature using a thermometer. Heat lamp is required in the tanning area. The heat light should offer a temperature in the 90s. The turtle will be dried off while basking under this heat lamp, which will help heat the enclosure and maintain the proper temperatures. The Zoo Med Aquatic Turtle UVB & Heat Lighting Kit is what I advise. The fixtures could be included in the kit that is included with the turtle aquarium. Therefore, you might simply require the bulbs. You must purchase a heat bulb and a UVB light bulb.
Feed
Mud turtles are omnivore; however, they virtually primarily consume animal products. Mud turtles, unlike other turtle species, may graze and hunt both on land and in water. However, they prefer the latter. Anything smaller than them is consumed by these turtles. Fish, eggs, arthropods, worms, crustaceans, mollusks, amphibians, reptiles, and fish are among these. In addition, they occasionally consume leaves and algae. They don’t really have a picky palate. Commercial turtle food is the finest and simplest way to feed them. They accept these with ease. You can give hatchling formula, like the Exo Terra Aquatic Turtle Hatchling Floating Pellets, to the babies.
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