Turtles are ectotherms (cold blooded) animals. This means that their bodies get heat from their surroundings. The air, water, or ground around them determines how hot or cold they are. In order for a turtle to eat properly and be active they require warmth. If a turtle gets too cold, everything in their body will begin to slow down and they will become very lethargic. They will have a hard time eating food and digesting it properly and their heart rates slow down during this time, as well as their lungs.
Some species of turtles reside in places where it is warm all of the time. They stay active all winter long. However, those turtles who do not live somewhere warm, and reside where it gets cold and begins to snow have a way to keep themselves alive; they brumate. (This is the reptilian word for hibernate).
Different kinds of turtles “hibernate” in different ways. Most species of water turtles can be found deep in ponds where they snuggle down into some mud and leaves at the very bottom then let themselves get cold. Their bodies slow down so they do not need to eat anymore. Their hearts slow down so that they only need to beat once every few minutes and they stop breathing through their lungs. Because their bodies are running at such a slow speed they do not require much oxygen, however they do still need some. In order to get this small amount of oxygen that is still required they get it from water. It sinks through the specialized skin that they are equipped with. Their skin cells inside of the tail opening are used for this. Water turtles often stay like this anywhere from two to three months.
All turtles need a warm area to bask in on solid land at one time or another. This is in required in order for them to thermo regulate (the ability of an organism keeping its body temperature within certain boundaries despite its surroundings). For turtles kept in captivity, a bright incandescent bulb, heat lamp or ceramic heater serve as ideal heat sources.
In addition to a heat source on land for turtles, a water heater is also idea and necessary in order to keep the water warn enough for the turtle. If the turtle is not kept at its ideal body temperature it will cause its metabolic rate to decrease which can have a negative and harsh effect on its digestive system and slow everything down in the turtle’s body. It is ital to keep turtles at their optimal temperature in order for them to maintain basic life functions.
Turtles do not only require sunlight in order to thermo regulate. They also need the full spectrum of light to be able to absorb UVb. Turtles are unique in this way because they need UVb in order to produce Vitamin D3 which is an essential component in calcium regulation. If turtle’s are not provided with this proper light spectrum they will quickly develop bone and shell abnormalities and eventually die.
It should be noted that glass filters out the important wavelength of light, so putting the turtle’s aquarium beside a window is not an adequate source of UVb. It is necessary to supplement lighting for the turtle with special UVb light bulbs which can be found at many local pet stores.
Certain species such as the red-eared slider require eating in the water and are not proper eaters. They are very messy critters. It is for this reason that pet owners should be forewarned, that if you want to own a red-eared slider be prepared to clean up their tanks a lot. Feeding a turtle in a separate enclosure is another option that owners can try as it helps reduce the mess made in the main aquarium. However frequent water changes are still needed in order to prevent the accumulation of liquid waste products that are harmful to turtles.
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