Optimal Environments for Turtles Farming: Tips and Requ

Exploring the Habits of Turtles

1. The Habitat of Turtles

Turtles are coldblooded creatures whose body temperatures fluctuate with the environment, yet they typically maintain a slightly higher temperature than their surroundings. These semiaquatic reptiles rely on lungs for breathing and are often found in lakes, ponds, rivers, and similar water bodies. During the day, they may be seen swimming, foraging, or basking on the branches near the water's edge or on rocks above the water surface. Upon sensing any movement, they quickly retreat into the water. At night, they venture to the water's edge or rice fields in search of food. Turtles are quite timid; upon detecting any disturbance, they promptly pull their heads, tails, and limbs into their shells until the threat subsides, then cautiously emerge to continue their activities.

As ectotherms, turtles hibernate when the ambient temperature drops below 10°C. They seek refuge in mud at the bottom of ponds, in burrows along the shore, or in loose soil covered with straw. During this period, they cease eating and moving. They only emerge from hibernation in April when the water temperature rises above 15°C, resuming their normal feeding and activity patterns.

2. The Diet of Turtles

In the wild, turtles have a varied diet that includes small fish, shrimp, earthworms, worms, snails, clams, snails, plant stems and leaves, rice, wheat, and more. However, in domestic settings, they are typically fed commercial feed like peanut meal and soybean cakes. Animalbased feeds are also provided to ensure a balanced diet.

The amount of food turtles consume varies with the season. Generally, they start eating normally in midApril, with the peak feeding period occurring from June to August, and their intake gradually decreases by October. The timing of their feeding also changes with the seasons. During spring and autumn, when temperatures are cooler, turtles are less active in the morning and evening, so they tend to feed around noon. It's advisable to feed them between 8 and 9 AM. In the hot summer, turtles are less active during the midday, so they feed more between 5 and 7 PM. To prevent spoilage, it's recommended to feed them around 4 to 5 PM. The daily feeding amount should be about 5% of their body weight, and the feeding should be adjusted according to the turtle's weight. Feeding should be done on a slope or a feeding platform near the pond's edge to prevent leftover food from polluting the water. It's also important to adjust the feeding amount based on weather conditions and the turtle's feeding behavior. Turtles can dive underwater to swallow their food and are capable of both aquatic and terrestrial activities, making them welladapted to a benthic lifestyle.

3. Color Changes

Turtles possess natural camouflage, with their colors changing according to their environment. In aquatic habitats, they often display a yellowishgreen hue. On land, their color can range from dark green to black or brown, which aids in their feeding and protection from predators.

Understanding the habitat and diet of turtles can deepen your knowledge of these fascinating creatures, enabling you to care for them more effectively.