This care sheet concerns the general care of turtles, sometimes known as chelonians. Turtles are reptiles who are characterized by a hard shell that covers and protects all their internal organs. The upper portion of this shell is known as the carapace, and the lower portion is known as the plastron. Rather than teeth, turtles have hard beaks. Scientifically classified, turtles are of the order Testudines.

Turtles are often kept as pets, and the care of most species is very similar. While many turtles are easy to care for, some may have specific instructions for lighting, temperature, or humidity. In addition to this document, you should consult your pet's specific animal care information on the CentralPets.com website.

Before acquiring a turtle, take the time to do research that will aid you in determining which type of turtle is right for you. If possible, consult people who have owned that type of turtle. Your research may also help you decide whether to obtain a wild-caught or captive-bred turtle, as the two types may vary in ease of care, docility, and health. Some turtles are essentially only wild caught, and some are essentially only captive bred. Most may be of either type.

When selecting your turtle, be sure it is healthy. Pick it up; a healthy turtle will feel solid or substantial, while an unhealthy animal will feel as though it has an almost empty shell. Any exposed area of the turtle should be clean and free of swelling, and if you gently tug on one of the turtle's legs, a healthy turtle will generally pull its leg back away from you. A healthy turtle's eyes should be clear, bright, alert, and fully open, without any discharge. The nostrils and mouth should also be free from discharge, bubbles, or secretions. A healthy turtle's breathing is silent, and a healthy turtle can breathe with its mouth closed. The shell of a healthy turtle is not slimy, and does not exhibit any patches of discoloration. The beak should be clean and uniform, without any cracks or growths. Common sense should always prevail when selecting or trying to determine the health of an animal. Find out if there is a guarantee or if you can return the turtle if a veterinarian determines it to be unhealthy.

When acquiring a turtle, you should also find a veterinarian experienced in and knowledgeable about reptiles. It is good practice to have a veterinarian check over the turtle to ensure it is free of diseases and parasites before exposing it to other reptiles you may have. This checkup should include microscopic examination of a fecal sample. Many wild-caught specimens as well as some captive bred specimens may have parasitic infections or other problems, which will need to be treated in order to improve the animals' health and reduce the threat to your other animals.

	Part Two - Housing
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Please Note: This care sheet is copyright © The Central Pets Educational Foundation (CentralPets.com). It may be freely distributed provided that this notice and Copyright remains included and unchanged. We encourage veterinarians, clubs, pet stores, breeders, humane societies, and others to use this to educate people and promote better pet care. Additions, suggestions, corrections, and questions regarding this care sheet are welcome and should be directed to content@CentralPets.com