How Do You Care For South American Wood Turtles?
South American wood turtles are enjoyable pets and fairly easy to care for. They’re extremely intelligent and may even learn their names. They need plenty of room, a varied diet and warm temperatures to remain healthy. Set up the tank. For a single South American wood turtle, use at least a 75-gallon and preferably a 90-gallon aquarium. The tank should be long rather than high. Increase tank space by at least 50 gallons for each additional turtle. Divide the tank into land and water areas, with enough space in each for the turtle to walk and swim, respectively. Install a water-filtration system. Keep water shallow enough that the turtle can breathe while standing on the bottom, and make sure the sides of the water area slope gently so the turtle can climb out. Place a heat lamp and UVB lighting source over the dry ground. The basking spot should be around 90 degrees Fahrenheit, with the rest of the enclosure ranging from 75 to 85 degrees during the day and at least 60 degrees at night.
