Exploring Turtles' Habits: Diet, Habitat, and Behavior

What Are the Habits of Turtles?

1. Turtles: Aquatic and Terrestrial Creatures

Turtles are amphibious animals, which means they can live both in water and on land. They are categorized into two types: aquatic turtles and terrestrial turtles. Aquatic turtles primarily inhabit rivers, lakes, ponds, reservoirs, and other bodies of water. Some species of aquatic turtles only come ashore for breeding purposes. In contrast, terrestrial turtles spend their entire lives on land, although some species prefer slightly moist environments, but not overly wet ones.

2. The Broad Diet of Turtles

Turtles are omnivorous, consuming both animal and plantbased foods. While aquatic turtles tend to favor meat, terrestrial turtles often prefer vegetables. Pet owners should choose appropriate food based on the type of turtle they have. Suitable animalbased foods include small fish, shrimp, snails, clams, worms, earthworms, and animal organs. Plantbased foods can include stems, leaves, various fruits and vegetables, and bran.

3. Turtles' Thermoregulation

The body temperature of turtles can change with the external environment. Generally, when water temperatures rise above 15°C, turtles will end their hibernation. They start to eat when the water temperature reaches 18°C to 20°C. If the temperature exceeds 35°C, turtles may suffer from heatstroke. When the temperature falls below 10°C, turtles enter hibernation. They usually hibernate by burrowing into the mud at the bottom of a pond or in loose soil covered with straw. Pet owners should stop feeding turtles one week before hibernation, as turtles will keep their heads inside their shells during this period and do not require food.

4. Turtles Enjoy Group Living and Burrowing

Turtles are generally docile and prefer to live in groups. Sometimes, when there are too many turtles in a group, their shells may become smooth from rubbing against each other, and their limbs may get scraped. Despite these issues, turtles are relatively easy to care for and have low maintenance requirements.

Dr. OxygenPet summarizes the habits of turtles, hoping this information will help you better understand and care for these fascinating creatures.