{"id":468,"date":"2021-11-22T22:23:39","date_gmt":"2021-11-22T22:23:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/allourcreatures.com\/?p=468"},"modified":"2023-01-15T01:52:04","modified_gmt":"2023-01-15T01:52:04","slug":"what-do-painted-turtles-need-to-survive-answer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/allourcreatures.com\/what-do-painted-turtles-need-to-survive-answer\/","title":{"rendered":"What Do Painted Turtles Need To Survive? [Full Care Guide]"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>If you\u2019re planning on bringing home a Painted Turtle as a pet, you may be wondering, \u201cWhat do I need for a Painted Turtle?\u201dThese turtles need a lot when it comes to an indoor habitat. Also, they need their tank set up to be just right for them in terms of lighting, heat, water quality, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" src=\"https:\/\/allourcreatures.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/painted-turtle-2.jpg\" alt=\"What Do Painted Turtles Need To Survive\" class=\"wp-image-1424\" srcset=\"https:\/\/allourcreatures.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/painted-turtle-2.jpg 800w, https:\/\/allourcreatures.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/painted-turtle-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/allourcreatures.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/painted-turtle-2-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Painted turtle<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In this article, we\u2019ll begin with a short overview of what Painted Turtles are. Then, we\u2019ll answer the question, what does a Painted Turtle need? Finally, we\u2019ll provide a list of items they need, share their dietary needs, and more. Finally, we\u2019ll go in-depth about setting up their aquarium, common problems to water out for, and their overall care.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rank-math-toc-block\" id=\"rank-math-toc\"><h2>Table of Contents<\/h2><nav><ul><li ><a href=\"#strong-what-do-painted-turtles-need-to-survive-strong\">What Do Painted Turtles Need To Survive?<\/a><ul><li ><a href=\"#food\">Food<\/a><\/li><li ><a href=\"#lighting\">Lighting<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li ><a href=\"#strong-how-to-make-a-painted-turtle-habitat-strong\">How To Make A Painted Turtle Habitat<\/a><ul><li ><a href=\"#painted-turtle-aquarium-setup\">Painted Turtle Aquarium Setup<\/a><\/li><li ><a href=\"#lighting-for-a-painted-turtles-tank\">Lighting For A Painted Turtle\u2019s Tank<\/a><\/li><li ><a href=\"#cleaning-your-painted-turtles-aquarium\">Cleaning Your Painted Turtle\u2019s Aquarium<\/a><\/li><li ><a href=\"#strong-how-big-of-a-tank-does-a-painted-turtle-need-strong\">How Big Of A Tank Does A Painted Turtle Need?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li ><a href=\"#strong-do-painted-turtles-need-water-strong\">Do Painted Turtles Need Water?<\/a><\/li><li ><a href=\"#strong-common-problems-to-look-for-strong\">Common Problems To Look For<\/a><\/li><li ><a href=\"#strong-conclusion-strong\">Conclusion<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<div id=\"rank-math-faq\" class=\"rank-math-block\">\n<div class=\"rank-math-list\">\n<div id=\"faq-question-1673747474442\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question\"><strong>What Are Painted Turtles?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer\">\n\n<p>There are about 300 known species of turtles, and <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Painted_turtle\" rel=\"noopener\">Painted Turtles<\/a> are just one of them. They are native to North America and have four subspecies. For instance, there are Western, Eastern, Southern, and Midland Painted Turtles. However, they can be anywhere in North America and Canada.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>You can easily tell a Painted Turtle from other turtles based on their appearance. This type of turtle has a black, oval-shaped shell that\u2019s flat. They also have red and yellow markings along their tail, legs, neck, and head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Males are usually smaller than females, sometimes not even growing to be half the size of a female. However, you can expect these turtles to grow anywhere from four inches long to ten inches long.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition, Painted Turtles have an average lifespan of about 20 to 30 years in captivity. However, with proper care through nutrition, exercise, and habitat, they can live up to 50 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Baby Painted Turtles have different dietary needs than adult Painted Turtles. So, their care will switch up as they get older.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Many Painted Turtles live in the wild and enjoy the company of other Painted Turtles. However, they also make excellent pets. They\u2019re friendly creatures, but they also need a lot of work and care to survive and thrive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"strong-what-do-painted-turtles-need-to-survive-strong\"><strong>What Do Painted Turtles Need To Survive?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Before you bring home a Painted Turtle pet, you\u2019ll want to make sure that you have everything they\u2019ll need to thrive in your home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For instance, research everything you\u2019ll need for your Painted Turtle. Also, be sure you understand their needs and have everything prepared for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What should you prepare? Go to your local pet store and buy them a habitat, food, lighting, a filter, decor, and flooring for their tank, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"food\">Food<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You want to make sure everything is set up before you adopt a Painted Turtle. However, depending on their age, Painted Turtles have different dietary needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, if you get a baby Painted Turtle, be sure to buy a diet of live food that\u2019s rich in protein and calcium.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, live food may include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Bugs or insects<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Worms<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Small fish<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/allourcreatures.com\/baby-painted-turtle-food\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"458\" rel=\"noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"5225\">Read more about a baby Painted Turtle\u2019s diet here.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you get an adult, you\u2019ll also want to add vegetation to their diet. For example, you can get them:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Lettuce<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Water Hyacinth<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Duckweed<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition, be sure to buy supplements and multivitamins, no matter your turtle\u2019s age. You can then be sure that they\u2019re getting the amount of calcium they need to grow big and strong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/allourcreatures.com\/what-do-painted-turtles-eat-in-the-wild\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"445\" rel=\"noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"5226\">Read what adult painted turtles eat here.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"lighting\">Lighting<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Another way to help them grow and keep them healthy is to provide proper lighting. For instance, they need a UVB light and a heat lamp. These lights will help them bask after meals and provide vitamin D.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you buy lighting, get a thermometer for both the tank\u2019s water and the dry areas. Then you can always be sure that the temperature is just right for your Painted Turtle.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Finally, you\u2019ll need a proper Painted Turtle tank setup. Make sure you set up their terrarium in a good spot inside your house. You want to make sure that it\u2019s in a safe spot in the house, especially if you have young children or other animals in your home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you decide on a spot, let\u2019s talk about the overall Painted Turtle aquarium setup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Watch this video:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Common Turtle Care MISTAKES and how to avoid them! (before you buy a turtle watch this)\" width=\"720\" height=\"405\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/jeJK3fpAbHA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"strong-how-to-make-a-painted-turtle-habitat-strong\"><strong>How To Make A Painted Turtle Habitat<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>One reason why you want to make sure everything is appropriately set up for your Painted Turtle is that there\u2019s a lot to prepare. So, let\u2019s discuss how to set up your Painted Turtle\u2019s new home.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"painted-turtle-aquarium-setup\">Painted Turtle Aquarium Setup<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Remember, Painted Turtles are an aquatic species. They reside mostly in ponds, rivers, lakes, and streams. So, you\u2019ll want an aquarium that can hold water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Painted Turtles need the water to be at least twice the width of their shell. So you don\u2019t want it to be too deep, but deep enough that they\u2019re able to swim around and stretch their legs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition, you want to have a powerful enough filter that can filter through the water that\u2019s inside the tank. Not only can you be sure that the quality of the water is better, but you\u2019ll also have to clean the tank less.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Unlike an aquarium of fish, you don\u2019t want to fill the tank with water to the top. Aquatic turtles, just like land turtles, need a dry area to bask.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To provide an ample basking spot, create dry land using a floating dock or rocks where your Painted Turtle can easily get itself out of the water and completely dry off and warm up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As for the water, you\u2019ll want to provide a cave or other hiding area for your Painted Turtle to disappear and relax. However, you don\u2019t want to have anything too heavy or bulky that your turtle might get trapped and drown.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Also, you can add non-toxic artificial plants or live plants for a more natural look. Your turtle may eat the live plants, though.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Finally, you can leave the bottom of the tank bare or add substrates such as gravel or sand. This flooring will give it a more natural look for your Painted Turtle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, you want to make sure the substrate is either large enough that your turtle can\u2019t swallow it or small enough that, if they do accidentally swallow it, it will safely pass through their digestive tract.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"lighting-for-a-painted-turtles-tank\">Lighting For A Painted Turtle\u2019s Tank<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Believe it or not, Painted Turtles don\u2019t require as much heat as other turtles. However, the heat and lightning will allow your turtle to be more active and eat better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019ll want their tank to range from 70 to 95 degrees F. This temperature includes the water and the basking spot, which should always be kept warmer for them to digest their food properly.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When buying bulbs, you\u2019ll need a UVB light and a heat light if the UVB doesn\u2019t provide much heat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Also, to keep the bulbs working in great condition, you\u2019ll want to change the UVB light once every six months, even if the bulb hasn\u2019t burned out yet.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"cleaning-your-painted-turtles-aquarium\">Cleaning Your Painted Turtle\u2019s Aquarium<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A general rule of thumb is to clean your turtle\u2019s tank at least once a month. However, it will depend on how messy your Painted Turtle is. If they\u2019re super messy, then you\u2019ll want to clean their tank once every other week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To clean their tank, you\u2019ll want to take everything out of it and completely drain the water. Then, you can clean the tank of algae and other bacteria. Finally, let the tank air dry and dry completely before you fill it with new water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While you wait for it to dry, you can rinse off the decor from the water and also the dry dock if that\u2019s dirty as well. Then, you can put the tank back together and put your Painted Turtle back into their home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can put your Painted Turtle in a clean bathtub or a plastic bin while you clean their tank so that you know they\u2019re safe. Alternatively, you can allow them to wander around the room as long as you can keep an eye on them and make sure they\u2019re safe.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"strong-how-big-of-a-tank-does-a-painted-turtle-need-strong\"><strong>How Big Of A Tank Does A Painted Turtle Need?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>To provide ample housing for your Painted Turtle, you\u2019ll want to have a fish tank that can hold at least 100 gallons of water. The bigger, the better, since you\u2019ll want to give them enough room to roam and swim. However, 100 gallons should be the bare minimum.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" src=\"https:\/\/allourcreatures.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/painted-turtle-and-fish.jpg\" alt=\"painted turtle and fish\" class=\"wp-image-1209\" srcset=\"https:\/\/allourcreatures.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/painted-turtle-and-fish.jpg 800w, https:\/\/allourcreatures.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/painted-turtle-and-fish-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/allourcreatures.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/painted-turtle-and-fish-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Read a full <a href=\"https:\/\/allourcreatures.com\/baby-painted-turtle-habitat\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"464\" rel=\"noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"5227\">guide to setting up a Painted Turtle habitat here.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"strong-do-painted-turtles-need-water-strong\"><strong>Do Painted Turtles Need Water?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Yes, Painted Turtles do need water. In the wild, they live by ponds, lakes, rivers, and streams. They thrive in the water and even have webbed feet to help them swim and survive in the water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, what kind of water do Painted Turtles need? They need high-quality, filtered water. Otherwise, your turtle may end up getting sick and come down with various health issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Also, Painted Turtles only eat food when they\u2019re in the water. So you\u2019ll want to be sure they have enough room to swim around, catch their food, and eat it before climbing on their dry dock to bask.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"strong-common-problems-to-look-for-strong\"><strong>Common Problems To Look For<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Unfortunately, some common problems may arise when it comes to the care of Painted Turtles.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, you want to ensure that you\u2019re feeding your Painted Turtle a healthy, nutritious diet. You also want to make sure that they\u2019re in a suitably sized tank with proper lighting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The biggest problem is health issues, though. For instance, Painted Turtles are known to carry salmonella. So, when handling your turtle, you should always wash your hands before and after.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition, Painted Turtles are known to get the following health issues:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Conjunctivitis<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ulcerated Corneas<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Skin Swelling<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Parasites<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Respiratory Issues<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If you notice that your Painted Turtle is not eating or not basking, or they won\u2019t come out of the water or enter the water at all, then you\u2019ll want to call the vet and bring them in as soon as possible for an evaluation.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Whether they\u2019re feeling great or not, you should always bring your Painted Turtle to the vet at least once a year for an annual checkup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"strong-conclusion-strong\"><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Are you still thinking about bringing home a Painted Turtle? They require a lot of setup and work to care for, but it\u2019s worth it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Painted Turtles are fun to watch while they swim and make great pets overall since they\u2019re diurnal and friendly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Caring for them will be a breeze once you have all that you need for your Painted Turtle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em><a href=\"https:\/\/allourcreatures.com\/turtles\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"5228\">Learn more about turtles here<\/a> or <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/allourcreatures.com\/what-do-painted-turtles-eat-in-the-wild\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"445\" rel=\"noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"5229\"><em>click here to read what painted turtles eat in the wild<\/em>.<\/a> <em>You can also read <a href=\"https:\/\/allourcreatures.com\/how-big-do-painted-turtles-get\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"1048\" rel=\"noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"5230\">how big painted turtles get here.<\/a><\/em><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Complete guide to everything you need to know to care for your painted turtle including what your turtle needs to eat, drink and how to set up a great habitat<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":1424,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_kadence_starter_templates_imported_post":false,"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"taxonomy_info":{"category":[{"value":7,"label":"Turtles"}]},"featured_image_src_large":["https:\/\/allourcreatures.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/painted-turtle-2.jpg",800,534,false],"author_info":{"display_name":"Frank Kane","author_link":"https:\/\/allourcreatures.com\/author\/frank-kane\/"},"comment_info":0,"category_info":[{"term_id":7,"name":"Turtles","slug":"turtles","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":7,"taxonomy":"category","description":"Turtle Care and Health: Tips and advice on how to keep your turtles healthy, including information on diet, habitat setup, temperature, and common health concerns.","parent":0,"count":20,"filter":"raw","cat_ID":7,"category_count":20,"category_description":"Turtle Care and Health: Tips and advice on how to keep your turtles healthy, including information on diet, habitat setup, temperature, and common health concerns.","cat_name":"Turtles","category_nicename":"turtles","category_parent":0}],"tag_info":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/allourcreatures.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/468"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/allourcreatures.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/allourcreatures.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/allourcreatures.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/allourcreatures.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=468"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/allourcreatures.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/468\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2548,"href":"https:\/\/allourcreatures.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/468\/revisions\/2548"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/allourcreatures.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1424"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/allourcreatures.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=468"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/allourcreatures.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=468"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/allourcreatures.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=468"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}