Caring for a Newly Hatched Turtle: Diet & Care Tips

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Part 1: The Optimal Time for Juvenile Turtles to Enter the Pond

Newly hatched baby turtles tend to seek out a secluded spot to hide, as their delicate skin is highly susceptible to scratches. Therefore, it's crucial to place them in a smooth, shallow water container for their initial care. After 23 days, when their yolk sacs are fully absorbed and their plastron plates have healed, they can then be transferred to the juvenile turtle pond.

The timing for introducing juvenile turtles to the pond should be adjusted according to the weather. During the hot months of July and August, the outdoor heat is generally unsuitable for their growth, and the same goes for the significant temperature fluctuations in October. If the turtles hatch during these periods, it's advisable to keep them indoors temporarily until the weather warms up before introducing them to the pond.

In milder seasons, after a few days of indoor acclimatization, the turtles can be directly introduced to the pond. Ensure that before doing so, you disinfect them with a potassium permanganate solution or a highconcentration saltwater bath for about 10 minutes, followed by a thorough rinsing with clean water.

Part 2: What Do Juvenile Turtles Eat?

Upon hatching, baby turtles are typically not ready to eat. It takes 23 days for them to absorb the yolk and start feeding. During this period, their digestive systems are fragile, so it's essential to feed them highquality, fresh, easily digestible, and palatable soft foods. Examples include steamed and mashed egg yolks, wheat flour, brine shrimp, chopped earthworms, minced clam meat, mosquito larvae, and water plants.

As they grow to 2030 days old, you can gradually introduce small granular feed. As winter approaches, increase their intake of animal proteins and fats to prepare them for hibernation.

When feeding the baby turtles, it's important to be consistent with timing and portion sizes. Place the food on a feeding platform, and if any remains uneaten after two hours, remove it. Adjust the next feeding accordingly to reduce the amount.

Part 3: Water Temperature and Quality Management

1. Water Temperature Management: The ideal temperature range for the healthy growth of juvenile turtles is between 1535°C, with 2530°C being the most suitable. At these temperatures, turtles are most active and have a strong appetite. If the temperature drops below 12°C, they may stop eating.

2. Water Quality Management: While turtles can survive in poor water conditions, their growth will be significantly slower, and they are more prone to illness and death. It's recommended to change the water every 57 days, ensuring the pool's bottom is clean of food waste and debris before doing so. The new water should not differ too drastically from the old, ideally within 5°C to avoid stress. Aim to change about onethird of the water volume each time to minimize disruption to the water quality.

Lastly, remember that turtles are amphibious reptiles that, although they spend much of the day in water, often come ashore at night to move around. It's important to maintain a quiet environment to not disrupt their natural activities.

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