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African Sideneck Turtle Care

CHOOSING YOUR AFRICAN SIDENECK TURTLE

The seller should be able to tell you about the turtle's origin and health.

When selecting your turtle, look for any signs of illness, such as flakiness on the shell, difficulty breathing, lethargy, or a lack of appetite.

COMMON HEALTH PROBLEMS

African sideneck turtles can suffer from a myriad of health problems. While there are no species-specific issues to worry about, the aquatic nature of this animal does present some challenges that new owners might not be used to.

One major issue among these turtles is parasites. Parasitic creatures’ dwell in the waters of their natural habitat. Those body invaders inevitably tag along when moved into domestication, posing problems for pet stores and keepers.

HOUSING

Creating a suitable enclosure for this turtle can be tricky. African sidenecks are an aquatic species, but they also need plenty of access to dry land for basking.

For a single adult African sideneck turtle, herpetology enthusiasts typically recommend a tank with no less than 40 gallons of volume. An aquarium of that size should support a turtle’s life. However, it’s always better to go bigger when possible.

The ideal tank size for an adult African sideneck turtle is closer to 75 gallons. A standard glass aquarium will work fine. But instead of filling it all the way, aim for half or three-quarters full of water.

The rest should be open-air space and basking perches.

If you plan on keeping a small group of turtles together, go even larger! A small group will need an area that’s about six feet long by three feet wide. Tanks that hold upwards of 175 gallons are usually the go-to for collectors looking to house multiple African sidenecks in one enclosure.

No matter which type of habitat you use or its size, make sure to invest in a tight-fitting lid. These reptiles are surprisingly skilled escape artists!

Once you fill the tank up with water, install a floating dock, stationary perch, or climbable rocks. African sidenecks spend a lot of time in the water, but they must have the ability to climb out when they want. If you have a large enclosure, you can create a natural slope to split the environment between swimming and land spaces.

LIGHTING

Investing in a high-quality lighting system is an important part of African sideneck turtle care. Lighting serves two purposes. Not only does it simulate a typical day and night cycle, but it also warms the environment.

A fluorescent and incandescent lighting system will take care of the heat. It’ll heat both the ambient air and the water. We’ll get into the details of the water condition in a bit.

For now, focus on getting ambient air temperatures just right. Like all reptiles, a temperature gradient is crucial to promote efficient thermoregulation.

On the cooler end, the air inside should be always in the low 80s. Use a thermometer to get things just right, as significant dips could cause health troubles.

For the hotter side of the environment, use a basking lamp. Basking lamps create a focused hot area where the turtle will warm their bodies up as if they were basking in the sun. Place the light above a dry-land area of the tank and raise the temperature between 95- and 100-degrees Fahrenheit.

Another crucial element to add is UV lighting. African sideneck turtles need exposure to UV rays to metabolize calcium efficiently. Without it, they could encounter a world of hurt.

Install a full-spectrum UVB light. Place it about 12 inches above the land portion of the enclosure and position it so that light reaches every corner. Set it on a 12-hour timer, and your turtle will have a true-to-life day and night cycle!

 

*PLEASE DO EXTENSIVE RESEARCH PRIOR TO OWNING AN AFRICAN SIDENECK TURTLE

FEEDING

Natural omnivores, African sideneck turtles eat a wide range of foods in the wild. They’ll eat everything from plants to insects that fly near the water’s surface.

In captivity, a varied diet is paramount. You must provide many kinds of food to ensure that your turtle consumes a broad range of nutrients and minerals.

That preference changes as they approach adulthood. Adults tend to gravitate towards plant-based foods. Either way, variety is key!

Here are common foods that most African sideneck turtles will not hesitate to eat:

  • Snails

  • Clams

  • Fish pieces

  • Earthworms

  • Crickets

  • Crustaceans

  • Dubai roaches

  • Mealworms

  • Krill and shrimp

  • Bloodworms

  • Mussels

  • Mustard greens

  • Dandelion greens

  • Collard greens

  • Romaine lettuce

  • Red-leaf lettuce

  • Carrots

  • Mixed vegetables

 

Some owners like to feed animal-based proteins like chicken or beef. However, the jury is still out on the safety of that. While some might see no problem in it, the risks of parasites and illness are still present.

 

For this reason, it’s better to stick to marine seafood and insects for protein.

 

You can also find commercial turtle pellets. Those work well, but they should be a part of the diet mix rather than the sole food you provide.

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