You may not be aware of this, but a turtle and a terrapin are not the same thing. There are a few varieties of this creature. Turtles live in oceans and in fresh water. Terrapins are turtles that live in brackish water. The difference between the two is mostly ignored, though.
So, if you are considering getting a pet turtle or terrapin for you and your family but are not entirely sure whether you should, here are some ideas to help you decide.
Turtles are an excellent choice as pets because they are fun to watch, do not require training and have a long life expectancy. However, you should know that because they live longer than other pets, it is a commitment to bring one home.
When caring for your pet you need to make sure that you provide both a dry and a wet habitat, and that the temperature of these is conducive for its well-being. A turtle requires plenty of fresh food. Clean, fresh water that is kept in a shallow bowl to make it readily accessible is very important. You should be aware and be able to recognize the difference between male and female turtles because you have to care for them in different ways.
You should also know that turtles require more care than most people think. So making sure that somebody is taking care of your pet while you are out of town is one necessary step you must take. You should check your turtle on a regular basis to catch any early signs of an illness; quite often it can be detected from abnormalities in its shell.
If you do decide to keep a turtle or terrapin, know that they make for wonderful pets and that you need to commit to their care to have a happy, healthy pet.
