Turtles are consumers as they eat producers or organisms that eat producers. The word consumer in biology is used to describe an organism that cannot synthesize energy from the sun and therefore does not produce its own food, but instead eats other organisms. Producers make their own food. For example, plants are producers as they make their own food using photosynthesis. Furthermore, when considering producers and consumers turtles would be considered both primary and secondary consumers as they feast upon both plants and animals.

The diet of turtles depends on the particular species, however in their natural habitats they typically eat a variety of foods according to the season.

Most turtles are territorial however some are more aggressive than others; it really just depends upon the species. Red-eared sliders for instance are notorious for being aggressive and territorial creatures. It is for this reason that many suggest only putting them in tanks by themselves unless you have a very large tank where they can stay away from one another.

Other species such as the snapping turtle are solitary creatures that prefer to live alone. Even though many turtles may be found in a small area, their social interactions are often limited to aggression between individuals. Males are especially prone to this type of behavior. Snapping turtles are known for being quite vicious and also kill other turtles by biting off their heads. It is suggested that this behavior might be a means to protect their territory from other turtles.

Many pet owners have learned the hard way that male turtles do not often like each other’s company. Typically after a male turtle becomes larger than 4 inches and is more mature it is nearly impossible to get them to get along with the other males in the tank. In this case, they should almost always be separated from one another or kept in a very large tank so they might be less likely to fight.

Aquatic turtles are especially territorial, and male turtles that are housed in an environment that is too small to live in together peacefully, will often be found fighting and trying to force the other turtles away. Mating can also turn into a territorial and sparring process as the males show off to try and impress a female turtle to mate with during this time.

In most cases male turtles attempt to establish dominance when it comes to territory, mates, and/or food. It is common for turtles to become very aggressive towards one another and they may even begin biting or “clawing” at one another when this happens.

Turtles and frogs should not be kept together in the same tank for a number of reasons. The most important reason that they should not live together is that turtle’s are notorious for killing and/or eating frogs. Watching a turtle kill a frog is quite grotesque. The turtle grabs the soft amphibian in its hooked beak and then rips at the frog with its front claws until the frog is eventually ripped completely open and is then disemboweled by the turtle.

Since turtles are reptiles and frogs are amphibians they both require different things within their habitats. This includes different water temperatures, different diet requirements, different amounts of water, etc. Therefore making it difficult to keep the two in the same tank.

Another main reason that frogs and turtles should never live in the same tank is because many amphibians produce toxins that are released through their skins and are also deadly if ingested. This is a no win situation for both creatures in many ways. If the turtle eats the frog, both will most likely die as the frog will poison the turtle once it has been ingested and the frog will be no more as it has become a meal for Mr. Turtle.

Many people may believe that turtles are slow creatures that never know how to put a little giddy up in their step; however the truth of the matter is that turtles are very fast when in water. On land however the average turtle is typically only able to move about 1.07 miles per hour. Another interesting fact is that turtles can actually swim even faster than we humans can. This is mainly due to the fact that they have light shells that do not weigh them down in the water, streamlined bodies that help them travel through water efficiently, and strong webbed feet to help them keep moving.

It has been said that the average turtle swims at a rate of about 10-12 miles per hour but some have even been recorded to swim as fast as 22 miles per hour. New born hatchlings on average swim about 25 miles in 30 hours. While species such as the soft shelled turtle are very active creatures, more active than other species even and are quite mobile and able to strike with the speed of a snake and the agility of a mammal. These creatures are also able to move their limbs at rates comparable to those in birds and mammals and are very powerful swimmers that can even run on land at astounding speeds!

When turtles swim they use their flippers as paddles. The most efficient undersea paddlers are the giant sea turtles. They are clumsy and almost helpless on land when they come ashore to lay their eggs, however they are fast migrators in the sea and can reach speeds of 10 knots and are very agile creatures. The giant sea turtle has been said to swim as fast as 35 miles per hour!

Male and female turtles between the ages of 10 and 24 are dioecious in nature. Diocey is the Greek adjective form of the word dioecious which is the property of a group of biological organisms that have males and females, but not members that have organs of both sexes at the same time. What this means in simpler terms, is that each individual organism can only be distinctly male or female.

In some species of animals, sex is not only determined by genetics, but is also determined by the environment. Concentrations of hormones or differences in temperatures will cause the developing embryo to develop as either male or female. However the sex of most dioecious individuals such as the turtle is not determined by the environment, but is in fact determined by genetics.

Turtles are definitely faster than snails. The average turtle is able to move 1.07 miles per hour on land and can swim even faster, while the garden snail can only move 0.03 miles per hour. In the case of answering this question it looks like Mr. Turtle is going to be waiting a really long time once he leaves Mr. Snail in the dust and reaches the finish line. Many people make the assumption that the snail is the slowest animal in the world; however the actual slowest animal in the world is the sloth.

The upkeep of having a turtle as a pet is not all that expensive; however first setting everything up when you first get your turtle can be quite pricey. The cost of the pet itself is not too bad. There are commonly two types of turtles that are often found in pet shops. They are the Eastern painted turtle and the Red eared slider turtle. The price is anywhere from $15-20.

The thing that is going to cost the most money is providing your turtle with the proper habitat right from the get go. It is never a bad idea to save up money before purchasing your turtle. You will need a few hundred dollars to start off with. The first thing you need to purchase is a tank for your turtle. They will also need a basking area, a UV light, water heater, water pump and an aquatic turtle tank filter.

You can make a place for them to bask dry on your own or you can buy one. Most pet stores sell basking platforms that range in price but usually starting around $8.00. Decoration or foliage for your turtle’s tank is another thing to consider, however this is not a necessity at first and is something you can always come back to later once you have a well established tank. Small rocks, etc. will work just fine in the meantime.

Upkeep of turtles as pets in general is not usually very expensive. Turtle food can be found at affordable prices at many pet stores and can many times even be found on sale. Adding meat, fruits and vegetables from your own unprepared food can help you save on specifically shopping for your turtle; however turtle pellets are also a reasonable way to go as far as money is concerned.

Turtle vitamins are another must have for any owner! They are actually pretty cheap and will usually last your turtle awhile. Buying them in bulk can also help save you money in the long run. Overall, the upkeep of your turtle shouldn’t usually cost any more than $50 or so a month. It could even cost a little less than this; especially if you are the type of person who likes to do couponing and stuff of that nature. There are some great deals out there, you just have to keep your eyes peeled and take advantage of them while you can!

The one thing besides setting up your tank when you first get a turtle that could end up burning a hole in your pocket is veterinarian bills. The key is to try and find the healthiest turtle possible when picking them out to bring them home. This will reduce your chances of having to make frequent visits to the vet. Assuming one does this and provides the turtle with a clean, proper habitat and a good diet, you might not need to worry about a vet too often.

In any case, if you are willing to put the time, effort, energy, and money into taking care of a turtle, they can really make a rewarding pet.

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.

Whether or not turtles are dangerous to humans really just depends on the turtle itself. Some turtles may be more aggressive than others. Some may carry diseases or infections that can be harmful to humans, while others may even bite and cause some real damage.

One of the more dangerous types of turtles is the snapping turtle. The name “snapping turtle
was given to them for a good reason! There are two types of species of snapping turtle the common snapping turtle which can be found throughout North America and the Alligator snapping turtle which is mostly restricted to the southern United States. Both species have the potential to be very dangerous animals.

The Alligator snapping turtle can weight anywhere up to 300 pounds and some have even been documented to bite right through objects such as brooms and hockey sticks. It can easily do the same to a human’s body parts. There have been quite a few cases where snapping turtles have attacked humans that have tried touching them or made them feel threatened in some way. Some people have even lost a finger or another body part to these creatures. When provoked, these turtles will not hesitate to bite and they typically do not let go for quite some time once they do.

These turtles are equipped with great claws that can cause quite the damage. They are also incredibly strong creatures on their feet. One of the main reasons they are so aggressive compared to other turtle species is because unlike most turtles, they are unable to retract back into their shell with feeling threatened. Their plastron (ventral shell) is too small in order for them to complete this task.

Another thing to keep in mind when considering turtles and their harm to humans is that in the United States since 1975 it has become illegal to sell or own a turtle that is less than 4 inches. They have been banned due to the fact that they pose a high risk of disease, especially concerning children because children are curious and like to stick things in their mouths and many turtles have been known to carry salmonella.

Just because you cannot see the bacteria on the turtle does not mean that it is not there. Salmonella are naturally occurring bacteria in turtles and those with salmonella do not usually show any signs of illness. If turtles transmit this to humans it can cause severe illness, hospitalization and even death. It is especially dangerous for children under the age of five, the elderly, and people who have natural resistance to disease due to pregnancy, cancer, chemotherapy, organ transplants, etc.

The good news is that there are a few things one can do to protect themselves against the potential harm that turtles carry. The first is to never touch a turtle in the wild that you stumble upon or that seems aggressive. This is a good way to get attacked by one.

Another way to help prevent danger from occurring is to never have a turtle in a household that includes children under 5, elderly or people with weakened immune systems. For those households that do have turtles in them, it is crucial to handle all turtles and surfaces that the pet has come in contact with as if they are contaminated since there is the possibility that they could be. Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water immediately after handling turtles, their tanks, feces, or any surface that they have come in contact with. All surfaces should also be thoroughly washed down. Do not allow your turtle to roam freely around the homes especially in areas where food is kept. Kitchen sinks should never be used to bathe a turtle or to wash aquariums out. If bathtubs must be used for this purpose they should be cleaned out thoroughly with bleach and disinfected immediately after you are done using the bathtub. Never handle a turtle and an infant at the same time. These pets should never be allowed in places such as the hospital or in nursing homes. Food and drinks should never be around the same area that the turtle is kept in.

Although with a little help from mom or dad, turtles can be one of the more low maintenance pets to care for, they are typically not an ideal pet for children. This is due to the fact that they often carry illnesses such as salmonella. This bacteria is easy for children to catch as they are more likely to touch the turtle and then put their hands in their mouth or even worse, maybe try sticking the turtle in their mouth.

This is why in the United States it is illegal to sell or own a turtle that is smaller than 4 inches. Children are more likely to stick them in their mouth and get sick from salmonella or choke to death. If reading this still hasn’t changed your mind on getting your child a turtle, there are a few things that you should at least keep in mind to ensure the health of all parties involved.

• First of all, children under 5 should never have a turtle as a pet. They are simply not old enough to know better than to not try and make the turtle into a treat.
• Always have your children wash their hands before and after touching the turtle! This will reduce the spread of bacteria.
• Never let your child eat or drink around the area that the turtle resides in.
• Never let the turtle roam around common living areas, especially places like the kitchen or in sinks.
• Always wash any surfaces thoroughly that the turtle may come into contact with.
• If you must wash the turtle’s tank in the bathtub, always disinfect it immediately afterward with bleach.
• Never leave a child unattended with the turtle.
• Never handle an infant and a turtle at the same time. In fact, don’t even bring a turtle around an infant.
• Never let your child get the turtle out of the tank without some help.

Always make sure that the child doesn’t touch their mouth when they are playing with the turtle.