Turtles - Barky.com.au

July 21, 2023

Can Turtles Jump? Science-Based Facts & FAQ

You can’t underestimate any animal, not even the humble, slow-moving turtle. Saddled with a cumbersome shell, turtles have a reputation for being some of the most incapable of the animal kingdom’s athletes. But looks can be deceiving, and many people are caught off guard the second they see one of them hop in the air. Turtles can jump several inches in some cases.

While it’s exciting to see, a jumping turtle can also be problematic. Wander too close to a snapping turtle, and it could take a quick leap in your direction to take a nip at you. And in the home, overestimating your tank’s ability to contain your turtle can often result in a missing pet! To keep you and your reptile friends safe, we’ll explain the intriguing details surrounding whether turtles can jump.

Can Turtles Jump?

They don’t gain much hang time, but turtles can jump. Although the heavy shell may make them seem hopelessly ground-bound, it surprisingly only accounts for roughly 25–35% of the turtle’s weight. Turtles can generate enough force to push themselves about 1–4 inches off the ground by bending their legs as much as possible.

A turtle’s jump often pitches its front end high while its rear legs stay closer to the ground. Their legs are short and mostly inflexible. Paired with the awkward shell, they ensure no turtle can make a significant leap.

When Do Turtles Jump?

a red-eared slider turtle with peeling shell basking on a rock — Image Credit: Four Oaks, Shutterstock

Fortunately, while they’re jumping skills are meager, turtles don’t have to use them often. In most instances, they’ll only jump for a few reasons, including:

They feel scared or threatened
They need to traverse an obstacle
They need to enter the water

Even that last one is a bit of a stretch. Instead of attempting a controlled leap to get into a pond, turtles typically either lumber at full speed into it or gracelessly fall face-first off an overhanging ledge.

Can All Turtles Jump?

Only small–medium turtles, such as freshwater terrapins, are light enough to boost themselves in the air. Some of the more agile turtle species include Red-Eared Sliders, Box Turtles, Map Turtles, and Mud Turtles. Like tortoises, many semi-aquatic turtles can also dig and climb, often able to scale fences and trees.

The common Snapping Turtle is one of the more sizeable and startling turtles to be able to jump. Weighing 10–35 pounds and known for their finger-removing bite force, these formidable creatures can hop several inches as a defensive strategy. Snapping turtles react faster than you might expect, emphasizing the need to keep a safe distance from the business end.

How High Can Turtles Jump?

two turtle hatchlings in the aquarium — Image Credit: Rusinova Tatyana, Shutterstock

No matter the species, turtles have limited jumping ability, and some can’t elevate even the slightest bit. Smaller turtles that jump only achieve 1–2 inches, while snapping turtles and other moderate-sized jumpers can hop 4 inches or more.

A turtle’s jump isn’t straight up. The limited movement in the back legs and their inability to angle their bodies forces turtles to jump in only one direction—forward. They can twist their bodies to a minute amount left or right, with their back legs almost working as a swivel.

How to Stop Turtles from Jumping

Watching turtles jump in nature can be exciting, but it’s not a behavior you want from a turtle in your tank. Turtles may try to escape for several reasons. They’re naturally curious and yearning to explore, but issues like stress or an unsuitable living environment can also boost their motivation to get out.

Ensure Their Environment Is Suitable

Turtle under a heat lamp in cage — Image Credit: Liubov Sydorenko, Shutterstock

Attending to the turtle’s needs is the first step in keeping your turtle from trying to jump out of its enclosure. They need clean water, climate control, and numerous unique features in their habitat, like basking areas and hiding spots. But even with their basic needs met, you often have to take extra steps to protect them from a nasty fall over the side of your tank.

Adjust the Water Level

Since a pet turtle’s “jump” from the tank is more of a “climb-and-fall” maneuver, you don’t have to worry about them vaulting over the edge. Your easiest option may be to lower the water level so they can’t get their feet over the lip of the tank.

Depending on your setup, draining some water could limit your turtle’s comfort or access to items. In these situations, you can maintain the same water level without risking an escape by adding a cover.

Cover the Tank

Open-hole designs like egg crate panels make a perfect lid for a turtle tank. They are easy to cut to size, have wide holes to let in light, and are rigid enough to create a dependable seal. You can also use a screen or other flexible mesh, but they allow turtles to squeeze through. You must either create a rigid frame for the screen to hold it or add a locking system that keeps it tight against the tank.

Final Thoughts

Despite only grabbing a few inches of air, any turtle jumping is an impressive feat. That doesn’t mean you should goad them into it, nor should you expect amazing things from them. Turtles often still need our help in precarious situations, whether they can jump or not. But if you come across a snapping turtle in nature or keep one as a pet, appreciating their surprising agility could be critical in keeping both of you safe.

Featured Image Credit: scuba design, Shutterstock

The post Can Turtles Jump? Science-Based Facts & FAQ appeared first on Pet Keen.

July 21, 2023

Can Turtles Eat Mango? Vet-Reviewed Nutrition Facts & Feeding Tips

Part of the fun of owning a pet turtle is watching everything they can chow down on. But just because turtles are enthusiastic eaters doesn’t mean you should put anything and everything in front of them.

The good news is that if you want to feed them some mango, you absolutely can, as long as you don’t give them too much. It’s a great part of a balanced diet, but it’s easy to overdo it. But if you have a little extra mango, there’s no reason you can’t feed it to your pet turtle.

Can Turtles Eat Mango?

Yes! Mangoes are a sweet treat that most turtles will love to snack on, but only feed your turtle ripe mango. Moreover, while turtles love the taste of mango and it’s nutritionally good for them, you need to ensure you only feed them mangoes in moderation, because they are also high in sugar.

Since turtles prefer the taste of fruit, they can start to become picky if they always have fresh fruit to eat. This is a problem since fruits are less nutritious than vegetables, higher in sugar, and they don’t meet all of a pet turtle’s dietary needs.

Turtle eating mango on the ground — Image Credit: Adchariya Sudwiset, Shutterstock

Other Safe Foods for Turtles

In smaller quantities and as a part of a balanced diet, mangoes are perfectly safe to feed turtles. But if you’re looking for some other food options for your turtle, we’ve highlighted five other options for you to consider here:

Turtle Pellets

With complicated dietary needs, it can be quite challenging to try and meet all their dietary requirements through a balanced diet. Turtle pellets help with this, giving your turtle all the necessary nutrients. You’ll still want to supplement the pellets with other foods, but the pellets help ensure your turtle gets everything they need.

Feeder Fish

When selecting feeder fish for your pet turtle to eat, only get small fish from a reputable pet store that’s specifically stocking them as food. They make a great treat for your turtle, but don’t overdo it (even though it’s super fun watching them zoom around after the fish!). It’s also a good idea to have a tank at home for quarantining feeder fish for a week or two, to make sure they aren’t carrying any infections or parasites.

Kale

Turtles need vegetables with tons of nutrients as a part of their diet, and when it comes to leafy greens, the darker, the better. Kale is one of the darkest leafy vegetables out there, and because of this, it’s an excellent option for your turtle. It’s lower in oxalates than spinach too, so it’s the better choice between the two. Thoroughly wash the vegetable first and find the darkest parts of the kale to feed your turtle for the most health benefits.

Raspberries

If you’re looking to give your turtle something a bit sweet now and again, raspberries are a great choice. Although still high in sugar, they have a much lower amount than many other fruits, including mango.

Cooked Chicken

While wild turtles don’t have access to cooked chicken to eat, that doesn’t mean you can’t feed it to your pet. Always cook the chicken completely first, and don’t add any additional seasonings. Even then, ensure you only feed your turtle in limited quantities as an occasional treat.

Foods to Avoid Feeding Turtles

a yellow bellied slider turtle basking on a log — Image Credit: Joe Ravi, Shutterstock

While there are tons of foods that are safe to feed to your pet turtle, that doesn’t mean you can feed them everything you have in your pantry. We’ve highlighted four different foods you should never feed your pet turtle below.

Raw Meat

While completely cooked meats are fine for your pet turtle, you shouldn’t feed them raw meat. Your pet turtle will likely eat it, but raw meats often contain bacteria and other harmful things that could easily end up harming them.

Avocado

While most fruits and veggies are great for turtles, avocados are a notable exception. Avocados contain persin, which is toxic to most animals, and it’s high in fats. It’s an all-around lose-lose for your turtle, so save your avocado for your next piece of toast.

Processed Foods

Turtles should only eat fresh fruits and vegetables. Chocolates, candies, and any other processed foods you might have in your home should stay far away from your turtle. Not only is there no nutritional benefit, but many processed foods are toxic for turtles.

Citrus fruits

Oranges can be okay in very small quantities, but lemons, limes, mandarins and pomelos contain too much citric acid that can cause stomach upsets and diarrhea.

Final Thoughts

The next time you’re cleaning out your fridge, take a hard look at any extra fruits and veggies you might have. Whether it’s strawberries, mangos, or something else entirely, there’s a good chance you can feed it to your turtle before it goes bad.

Of course, you should always do your research before feeding it to your turtle, and you should always err on the side of caution if you don’t know if your turtle can eat it!

Sources

Featured Image Credit: toodlingstudio, Pixabay

The post Can Turtles Eat Mango? Vet-Reviewed Nutrition Facts & Feeding Tips appeared first on Pet Keen.

July 21, 2023

Fat Turtles: 4 Vet-Approved Signs of an Overfed Turtle

Any animal, especially the dearest ones that we keep in our homes, should never be suffering with obesity. We are responsible for their health, and ensuring they are a healthy weight is part of that responsibility. That’s also true for your long-lived shelled companion.

But how can you tell if your turtle is tubby? There are four main signs to watch out for. Let’s look at each in more detail and discuss what to do if you realize that your little reptile is getting too heavy for its own good.

The 4 Signs of an Overfed Turtle

1. Your Turtle Looks Like It Could Use the Next Size Up

Your turtle’s upper shell (carapace) and lower shell (plastron) are made up of bony structures that meet on each side of its body. This creates a rigid skeletal box that is an integral part of the turtle’s body. In other words, it cannot change its shell at will.

This is normally not a problem, but if your turtle gains too much weight, its shell home becomes too small to fit its limbs comfortably. Therefore, if you notice folds of skin developing around its legs, especially when it tucks its legs into its shell, your turtle is likely getting too fat.

a female owner holding her pet turtle — Image Credit: Ivan Smuk, Shutterstock

2. Your Turtle Gets Locked Out of Its Shell

If your turtle’s legs and neck have so much fat that it can no longer retract into its shell, that’s a telltale sign that your turtle is getting dangerously overweight.

3. Your Turtle Can Barely Move

Observing how they move is another way to tell if your turtle is overeating. Indeed, the motility of your turtle will be affected by its extra pounds. Very obese turtles may not even be able to support their weight on land, and even in the water, the fluidity of their movements can also be severely hampered.

Turtle Eating Fruit — Image Credit: Maya Shustov, Shutterstock

4. Your Turtle’s Shell Has Small Pyramid-Shaped Humps

Pyramiding is the excessive upward growth of the scutes on a turtle’s shell. This condition is relatively easy to spot: Just look for small pyramid-shaped bumps on the shell.

That said, be careful not to jump to conclusions. This disorder is common to several species and is not always caused by overfeeding. Other causes include:

Low humidity
Too much protein in the diet
Calcium-and-phosphorus ratio imbalance
Not enough exercise
Genetics

In any case, if you notice shell deformations on your turtle, it is imperative to consult a veterinarian who specializes in reptiles.

Carapace deformities can interfere with normal lung function, cause pain in the legs and arthritis, and even lead to total paralysis. In the most severe cases, pyramiding can lead to the premature death of your turtle.

How Do Pet Turtles Get Fat?

Pet turtles can get fat the same way as any other living being: by eating too much and moving too little. If a turtle is kept in a tiny aquarium without enough room to swim and move around, and they are fed an excessive number of high-calorie foods and their intake is not limited, they can become overweight.

tortoise eating broccoli — Image Credit:
taniadimas, Pixabay

What Happens When Turtles Are Overfed?

Obesity and hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver disease) are two conditions linked to overfed pet turtles. Obesity can dramatically shorten your turtle’s lifespan due to the strain on the body, increased risk of related health issues, and decreased overall vitality.

Excessive fat deposits can put pressure on the internal organs, including the heart, liver, and kidneys. Over time, this can lead to organ dysfunction, reduced efficiency, and potential organ failure.

This is why you must start carefully monitoring your beloved turtle’s daily intake!

How to Prevent Obesity in Your Turtle

Fortunately, there are many ways to prevent your turtle from getting fat at the expense of its health:

Tips to Prevent Obesity:

Check with your vet first. There may be an underlying health issue as to why your turtle is gaining weight, and suddenly changing their diet or forcing them to move more could be detrimental in this case.
Make sure their enclosure is big – and interesting – enough. Your turtle should have plenty of room to swim, dive, and roam. Your turtle’s enclosure should contain approximately 10 gallons of water per inch of adult shell length, and the basking/dry substrate area should measure half the water volume. For example, a red-eared slider can be around 10-12 inches at adulthood, so you would need to provide (at a minimum) 120 gallons of water and 60 gallons of basking area, per turtle. Enclosures and ponds with lots of different objects, plants and places to explore are the best way to provide your turtle with enrichment and exercise. Turtles kept in simple aquariums can become bored and depressed.
Feed adults every 2-3 days. This is more appropriate for their metabolisms. Any food that isn’t consumed after 10 minutes should be removed.
Stick to a fixed feeding routine. This will help you keep track of your turtle’s eating habits and prevent you from feeding it more than necessary.
Feed your turtle a balanced diet best suited to its age and species. Keep in mind that as they grow, juvenile turtles need to be fed a high protein diet daily, while adult turtles only need to be fed a few times a week.
Transform your turtle into a skillful little hunter. If it’s an omnivorous species, place live prey like small feeder fish or insects in their enclosure, and watch it try to catch it. It’s a natural and fun way for them to exercise, and a great source of enrichment!

vet. checking sick turtle — Image Credit: ALIAKSANDR PALCHEUSKI, Shutterstock

Conclusion

Turtles are not immune to problems related to overfeeding. However, their small size means that the consequences of being overweight can be disastrous. That said, the signs that a turtle is getting too fat are quite obvious once you know what you are looking for, and any responsible owner should be able to quickly identify if their pet needs a change in diet and more exercise.

The good news is that keeping a pet turtle at a healthy weight isn’t overly difficult: A balanced diet and an enclosure that keeps them entertained and occupied should do the trick.

Featured Image Credit: Dimitris Vetsikas, Pixabay

The post Fat Turtles: 4 Vet-Approved Signs of an Overfed Turtle appeared first on Pet Keen.