Turtles & tortoises

Metabolic bone disease (MBD)

SignsSoft shell, pyramiding of the shell, trembling limbs, unable to walk

PreventionReplace the UVB lamp every 6 months, dust food with calcium powder, give tortoises natural sunlight

Shell rot / shell peeling

SignsWhite spots or holes in the shell, foul odor, lifting scutes, bleeding or pus

PreventionChange the water and provide a dry basking area, never keep in dirty water, see the vet for any shell wound

Respiratory infection (pneumonia)

SignsOpen-mouth breathing, nasal discharge or bubbles, tilting in the water, breathing with the neck stretched out

PreventionAvoid low temperatures and sudden temperature changes, keep the proper temperature with ventilation, see the vet early

Conjunctivitis / vitamin A deficiency

SignsSwollen eyelids that will not open, eye discharge, loss of appetite, skin sores

PreventionFeed aquatic turtles mainly commercial pellets; feed tortoises dark leafy greens

Egg binding (dystocia)

SignsFemale is restless and digs, loss of appetite, straining, hind-leg paralysis

PreventionAlways provide a nesting box (moist soil or sand), prevent calcium deficiency; females lay eggs even when kept alone

Intestinal obstruction / parasites

SignsNo feces, diarrhea, worms in feces, loss of appetite, weight loss

PreventionPrevent ingestion of substrate, avoid wild-caught food, get a fecal exam after purchase

Cracked or fractured shell

PreventionNever place on high surfaces, do not drop from desks or shelves, do not house with dogs or other turtles

First aidDo not remove fragments; cover with clean gauze, keep out of water, keep warm in a dry box and see the vet the same day

Flipped onto its back

PreventionReduce slopes and steps, place obstacles it can use to right itself, keep the floor flat when you are away

First aidTurn it back over right away. Left too long it risks suffocation or heat death; if limp, keep warm and see the vet

Bite wounds / fighting injuries

PreventionDo not house males together or animals of very different size, feed separately

First aidRinse under running water and apply pressure to bleeding; missing tail or limb parts or exposed bone need the vet the same day

Burns (heater)

PreventionKeep heat lamps and heaters out of direct reach with a protective cover, manage with a thermometer

First aidCool with water that is not too cold, apply nothing to the wound, and take to the vet in a dry clean container

Salmonellosis

RouteOral infection from hands that touched the turtle's body, feces or tank water

PreventionWash hands with soap after handling, never wash the tank in the kitchen, do not let infants or toddlers handle

Dermatophytosis (ringworm)

RouteContact with the turtle's skin or shell

PreventionDo not handle with cuts on your hands, do not share equipment, see a doctor if a red ring appears on your skin

Leptospirosis

RouteContact with dirty tank water or urine (through wounds or mucous membranes)

PreventionWear gloves for water changes, keep splashes out of your mouth, see a doctor for fever or muscle pain

Aeromonas infection

RouteInfection through wounds via tank water

PreventionWear gloves if you have cuts, dispose of tank water in an outdoor drain, see a doctor if a wound swells

Food

• Tortoises: leafy greens such as komatsuna and bok choy daily; adults 5–6 days a week
• Aquatic turtles: commercial turtle pellets as the staple; juveniles daily, adults every 2–3 days
• Calcium powder 2–3 times a week; tortoises also get hay and wild greens

Water

• Tortoises: a shallow water dish plus warm soaks 2–3 times a week for hydration
• Aquatic turtles: the tank water is the drinking water; full water change daily to every 2 days

Toys & play

• Terrain with gentle slopes and ramps to roam over
• Hide food to search for, place food on a slightly raised rock
• Outdoor walks for tortoises, a large swimming area for aquatic turtles

Nest, bed & hideout

• Tortoises: a dim shelter with a temperature gradient
• Aquatic turtles: a basking area where the body dries completely plus an underwater hide

Bedding & litter

• Tortoises: coconut coir or soil-based; no sand or fine wood chips that are easily swallowed
• Aquatic turtles: no substrate (bare tank) is cleanest and easiest to manage
• As a nesting box, moist soil at least twice the turtle's body height deep

Cage / housing material

Storage tub or wooden enclosure; aquarium (glass or plastic) for aquatic turtles

Size & space

At least 5× shell length by 3× shell length; aim for 90 cm or more for adults

Layout

• Temperature gradient with a hot spot (basking) and a cool side
• UVB lamp about 30 cm from the turtle, never through glass
• Aquatic turtles need a basking area that dries the whole body and water deeper than the shell height

Placement notes

• Never place a closed enclosure in direct sunlight (overheating death)
• Avoid floor vibration and places large dogs can reach

Exercise, free-roam & walks

• Tortoises can bask in the garden or on the balcony on sunny days; never leave unattended
• Outdoors, watch for escape, crows and pesticides; always inside an enclosure
• Aquatic turtles also benefit from land exercise and basking several times a week

Temperature & humidity

TemperatureDaytime 28–32°C, basking spot around 35°C, night 24–26°C

HumidityHermann's 50–60%, star tortoise 70% or more; varies by species

Summer & winter

• Summer: heatstroke above 30°C room temperature, watch rising water temperature, ventilate with a fan
• Winter: keep 24°C or above with a heater; do not hibernate indoor-kept turtles

Nail trimming

Trim only the tips of overgrown nails with dog nail clippers. Watch for the blood vessel; if unsure, have the vet do it

Brushing, skin & coat care

Wash the shell with a soft brush and lukewarm water. Never apply wax or oil

Other care

Have an overgrown beak trimmed at the vet; warm soaks encourage passing stool and shedding

Protection from predators

• Crows, raccoon dogs, raccoons: use a wire-mesh lid for outdoor keeping
• Dogs and cats: can bite through the shell; never loose in the same room
• Mosquitoes and flies: maggots infest wounds, watch outdoor wounds closely

Foreign-body ingestion

Swallows gravel, fine substrate or pebbles and gets an intestinal obstruction. Put food on a dish and choose substrate that is hard to ingest

Being stepped on

Gets stepped on and the shell cracks while loose in the room. Watch your feet when it roams and do not let it loose where people come and go

Getting pinched

Head or limbs get caught in doors, enclosure lids or furniture gaps. Secure the lid and block gaps it can crawl into

Falls

Shell fractures from falling off desks, shelves, stairs or balconies. Exercise only on the floor; when carrying, support the plastron with both hands

Escape

Surprisingly fast at slipping through gaps. Always use an enclosure and lid outdoors. If it escapes, search shade, grass and water edges; microchip registration improves recovery

Safe release procedure

1. Stay still and calm. Most let go within seconds once the surprise passes
2. Lift the turtle by its hind legs so it hangs in the air, head pointing down
3. Pour lukewarm water on the corner of the mouth or hold a wet cloth to the nose
4. If it still will not release, gently slide a wooden stick in toward the back of the jaw

After the release

Rinse under running water for 5 minutes and disinfect. Bites from large species are deep; see a doctor if swelling or bleeding continues

What to tell the vet & what to bring

Species, shell length and weight, heating and UV setup, diet, photo of feces, onset date; confirm in advance that the clinic treats reptiles

Checking consciousness, breathing & heartbeat

• Response to stimulus: does it withdraw limbs or head when touched
• Breathing: watch throat movement; normal is a few breaths per minute
• Heartbeat: pulse at the base of the neck; varies greatly with species and body temperature

Stopping bleeding

• Press with clean gauze for 5 minutes or more
• Keep shell wounds out of water and dry
• Avoid overusing styptics or antiseptics; see the vet

Transport

• Plastic carrier lined with cloth; wrap heat packs in cloth, never in direct contact
• No water for aquatic turtles; keep moist with a damp towel