In the last issue, we discussed what kind of water to use for keeping turtles. Today, let’s talk about the water level for turtles. If you are raising semi-aquatic turtles that are more terrestrial, such as Yellow-margined Box Turtles, Ambushing Turtles, Asian Giant Tortoises, etc., their requirements for water levels are not high. They only need a small shallow water area in the breeding environment where they can soak and drink. The water level does not need to be very deep, generally enough to submerge the turtle’s edge.
Today, we mainly talk about aquatic turtles, such as Red-eared Sliders, Chinese Three-keeled Pond Turtles, Yellow-throated Sliders, Musk Turtles, and Razor-backed Musk Turtles. These turtles also have good and poor swimming abilities. Specifically, we need to look at their feet. Those with webbing between the feet are good swimmers and can be raised in deep water; those without webbing between the feet have relatively poor swimming abilities.
Note that the relative height of the water level makes a huge difference for turtles. If the water level is too low, the turtle’s carapace is exposed above the water for a long time. This not only causes a temperature difference between water and air, which is easy to cause problems, but also leads to deformities in the turtle’s carapace over time. Similarly, if the water is too shallow, it suppresses the turtle’s natural swimming instincts, which is also very detrimental to their physical and mental health. Indeed, some turtles are raised this way and have lived for many years. However, I believe there is an essential difference between living and truly living.
Another water level is the shallow water that just covers the back, with a water depth of one to two centimeters over the carapace. The turtle can breathe as soon as it raises its head. This is also a widely praised breeding method. Turtle vendors in the flower and bird market also raise turtles this way. But they do it just for convenience in selling and managing. The turtles are there on a temporary basis, and as long as they don’t die, they will be sold after a while.
If it is an aquatic turtle, its swimming ability is acceptable, especially for our family raising, generally not exceeding a water depth of forty centimeters. This water level is just a drop in the bucket for the turtle and does not pose a threat at all. If you are afraid that the turtle will drown, then the water level should be based on the turtle’s height. The length from the back legs to the neck fully extended is the appropriate water depth. Even without a basking platform, the turtle can stretch its neck and breathe, and the water level can also meet the turtle’s swimming needs.
The benefits of deep water are self-evident, and turtle enthusiasts are now beginning to popularize deep water breeding. Apart from the inconvenience of changing water, the rest are all advantages. Shallow water breeding, apart from the convenience of changing water, has all the disadvantages. Everyone should grasp it by themselves.
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