Caring for the Leaf Turtle as Pets: Specific Care Information

The Leaf Turtle is one of the smallest turtles in the world which originated from Asia measuring only up to 4 and half inches. They can be quite shy when first introduced to captivity, and a nervous turtle; however, once it becomes familiar with the new environment, it will calm down. Leaf turtles can make excellent pets, and are an extremely beautiful specimen of turtles to see.

In the wild, the actual diet of the Leaf Turtle is actually unknown; however, in captivity, we can hypothesize and guess what sort of diet is most appropriate for them. In Captivity, Leaf turtles can be fed on a mostly carnivorous diet which consists of worms, slugs, and snails. These are actually what we guess is their diet in the wild as well. Remember, leaf turtles also need some sort of plant supplement in their diet, and it should not be forgotten. After the plant and main part of their diet is taken care of, remember to also feed your Leaf Turtle some form of calcium supplement as it is essential to them.

Leaf Turtles should be fairly easy to care for once all of the beginning work is done to prepare them for captivity. When transferring a Leaf Turtle from the wild to captivity, it is essential to have them cleaned out for parasites. For imported Leaf Turtles, there is usually 50% mortality.

Crushed bark or mixture of soil and mulch is great substrate for the Leaf Turtle. Keep in mind that they do not spend that much time in the water, and thus do not need a whole pool or tank of water for them to swim in. They also do not require a "hot spot" in their habitat. A home with nice, warm water and good soil is already a comfortable environment for them to settle in. The soil that is provided for them should be good enough and in enough quantity for them to burrow in as this is one of their favourite activities. Because they enjoy burrowing, and foraging the ground, it is important to also have areas for them to hide in; logs make great hiding places. Don't forget a shallow water dish though as they still need to drink water, and may sometimes want an area to soak in for awhile or take a quick dip.

Leaf turtles breed constantly, and it is important to know about their breeding cycles when caring for them (you may even get juvenile Leaf Turtles). Most eggs are laid during the winter. Generally, females will lie about 3 - 5 clutches of eggs, and the eggs should be kept on damp vermiculite at a temperature of about 78 degrees Fahrenheit. Eggs will generally hatch around 60 - 90 days after being laid.

Leaf Turtles may be hard to care for, but overall, it is definitely worth it. They are generally easier to take care of once you've got all the cleaning and appropriate care set up for the turtle.