Herp Nutrition

One of the major differences between turtles and tortoises, is that turtles are water dwellers and tortoises are land dwellers. When providing care for these wonderful species, there are many similarities and differences. Habitat, diet, and lifespan are things to consider when purchasing turtles and tortoises.

Habitat & Food Habits of Turtles

Turtles are reptiles that live primarily in the water; they do however, come out to dry land to lay their eggs. When choosing a habitat for turtles, you will want a waterproof aquarium. These habitats will need vegetation to provide a natural feeling environment. You need to provide your turtle with a land are and a water area.

Turtles are herbivores, meaning they eat plant and not animals. However, most people who own turtles buy a premade food for them. You can however, feed turtles fruits and vegetables as well. Turtles are known to have a lifespan from ten to twenty years when provided with a healthy nutritional plan.

Some types are also known to carry bacteria. However, when providing daily care, there are many steps you can take for safety. You can purchase special tablets that will help impede the growth of bacteria and germs. You can also wash you hands frequently using special wipes. Turtles are fairly easy pets to maintain, but you do have to make a long term commitment when choosing one as a pet.

Habitat And Food Habits of Tortoises

Tortoises live on dry land. They require a dry habitat, with a small area of water available. While tortoises are usually not considered good pets, some people prefer to have them. For most tortoises you can purchase an open air habitat or a glass aquarium.

All tortoises are considered as both herbivores and carnivores. They will eat both vegetables and meat. There are manmade foods you can purchase for tortoises. These are sometimes not a common item in local stores, but can easily be purchased online. Be sure to research your particular type of tortoise to be certain you have the right manmade food in mind.

The average tortoises have been known to live as long as humans. This can mean if you purchase baby tortoises, they could possibly outlive you. Keep this in mind when choosing to have one as a pet. Most tortoises also have long claws which can get in the way when trying to provide daily care.

While is completely up to the individual, there are many factors that point to turtles being better pets than tortoises. Most experts will agree on this fact. In can even be hard to find tortoises to purchase locally, as they are not the average pet owners choice. However, if you are sure you would like to have a tortoise as a pet, just make sure you do the proper research on how to provide the best care. You will also need to make arrangements to care for the tortoises after you are gone. As you can see, there are many reasons most pet owners choose turtles over tortoises.