The turtle family includes a lot of different types of reptiles. Sea turtles live exclusively in the water, venturing onto beaches only to lay their eggs. Tortoises are land animals, some of which are quite happy living in the desert. The box turtle your child may bring home falls somewhere in the middle, requiring both wet and dry environments. Before you decide to keep a tortoise as a pet, you should make sure that there's a vet nearby who treats reptiles. You should bring a stool sample on your first visit to be tested for internal parasites. Get your pet the largest living quarters you have room for. A 30-gallon aquarium tank is a good size. Make a bedding of sand, gravel, or sterilized potting soil and put in a water dish for drinking and bathing. Change the water every day. Adult turtles and tortoises are primarily vegetarians, but young ones may need extra protein in the form of worms or specially formulated feed. Consult you pet supplier for more details.
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