Buying a for the first time is not always easy, you will want to pick a turtle that's healthy, happy and suits you as a person. Although this is what should happen ideally, it doesn't always work out that way. Many people while trying to buy their first turtle make the mistake of not checking for signs of ill health or rather have no idea how to spot them. This usually ends up with an inexperienced turtle owner struggling to maintain the health of an already poorly turtle.
Here are three important signs you should be on the look out for when your deciding on which turtle to choose at the pet store.
1) Check for signs of bad nutrition.
If the eyes of the turtle is not clear and bright or the turtles eyes are pasted shut this is a sign of poor nutrition and is a problem you as a turtle owner won't want to have, so avoid these kind of turtles when trying to select your ideal pet turtle.
2) Make sure that the turtle is breathing properly and does not have any respiratory problems.
The best way to check for this is to look closely at the nose and mouth of the turtle. If there are fluid bubbles or dripping coming from the nose or if there is any wheezing while the turtle breathes then it is very likely that they have a respiratory infection and you should not take on caring for such a turtle as a pet. Without the right kind of care the chances of a turtle with these symptoms living a long life is very slim.
3) Examine the turtles shell condition.
Carefully examine the turtles shell and skin, look for any patches and parts where the scutes or scales are missing or possibly wrinkled. If there is any evidence of this it is an indicator of the turtle having a burn or even a scar injury. These types of injuries to the scutes easily become infected and can later become a big problem. The shell of the turtle should be hard and firm, if it feels thin or gives way easily to pressure from your fingertips then this is a sign that the turtles shell is not properly developed and it's likely that the turtle has had a poor diet that has been lacking in some essential nutrients. It would take a fairly experienced or expert turtle owner to help the turtle restore their shell to maximum strength.
I Hope you enjoyed this article and it was helpful. To find out more about pet turtle care and how to look after your once you've brought them home visit http://www.petturtlecare.info/
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