What makes keeping a pet turtle fun and easy is that as long as you feed it regularly and provide it with a large enough clean environment for it to swim, bask, and rest, you don’t have to worry about its health.

No wonder most turtles live up to 50 years! Given such a long commitment, however, it’s best to read this set of guidelines for taking care of the shelled creatures.


Read these FN articles for more tips on caring for pets:

• 10 Questions to Ask Yourself When Picking a Vet
• Wipe It! 5 Ways to Deal with Your Pet's Messes
• Food for Your Fur Baby: 5 Things You Should Consider When Picking Dog Chow

(First published in Good Housekeeping Magazine, Home 101 section as "A Guide to Keeping Pet Turtles" in August 2003; adapted for use in Female Network)