Due to their lack of sweat glands, turtles have a difficult time regulating their internal temperatures. Water is essential for the regulation of their body temperature. For this reason, aquatic turtles are one of the few species that can go without drinking water for very long periods of time.
However, they are still able to maintain their hydration levels through the food they eat.
How much water do turtles drink
How much water do turtles drink is one of the most frequent questions that turtle lovers face.
Turtles are reptiles that need constant hydration. It is commonly taken for granted that they can get all they need from their diet and the water they swim in.
However, is it not necessary to give your turtle fresh water to drink and thus reinforce its hydration? Do all turtles consume water in the same way? Keep reading to answer these questions and discover new information about your pet’s nutrition and hydration.
How much water do turtles drink and in what way
The claim that turtles do not need to drink water is often false. The hydration that turtles obtain through the fresh food they consume or the water in which they thrive does not have to be enough.
Depending on their species, some turtles need a supplement of fresh water to drink, just like so many other reptiles. To be sure, check with your vet or pet store if your breed of tortoise responds to this case. Remember that a lack of hydration can be very harmful to turtles and that it is better to be safe.
How much water do turtles drink
This is how you should take care of feeding a turtle
In addition to knowing how much water the turtles drink , if they need it, you should also know their preferences when it comes to feeding.
The diet of turtles can be very varied: from the special food for turtles that you can buy in any pet store, to traces of raw fish or pieces of vegetables, such as lettuce or carrots. Many turtles are also receptive to insects, like small crickets. Always keep in mind that food remains dirty the water and always give them their food in adequate doses.
How to give water to a tortoise
Tortoises need to always have a source of fresh, clean water at their disposal that is easily accessible to them. Some turtles don’t drink enough; In these cases, a plant-based diet whose composition is rich in water is usually used, thus making up for the deficiencies. However, it is best to drink from a container or trough that is cleaned daily, renewing the water as often as possible.
If you are thinking of adopting a tortoise and don’t know which one is the best for you, you can take a look at this other article on Species of tortoises .
How do land turtles drink
Despite the fact that biologists have been observing the life of land turtles for many years in natural conditions, an exact answer to the question of how these animals drink has not been received. Some species of turtles can do without water at all, while others regularly drink from various bodies of water.
The structure of the turtle’s head is such that it is quite difficult for her to drink: water simply flows out through the nostrils or flows down the neck of the animal. Therefore, most experts believe that the necessary moisture for turtles is obtained from food or through the skin during water procedures. The turtle will only drink water from a special drinking bowl if it is dehydrated: in this case, the animal tries to replenish the lack of fluid in any way.
Do I need to install a water bowl for my turtle
When arranging a terrarium, many owners install a special drinker there. This is done in order to provide the animal with water. However, there is no need for a drinking bowl: it has already been said above that it is difficult for turtles to drink, since water is poured out of their mouths. Often, the owners begin to think that this is a symptom of some dangerous disease, and they take the turtle to the veterinarian. Do not worry: the fact is that turtles (and many other reptiles) drink not like cats or dogs, but by absorbing moisture while swimming or eating juicy fruits and vegetables. For this reason, the turtle does not need to install a drinking bowl: sometimes the water even irritates the animal and interferes with it.
How should you water your turtle
Owners of land turtles may have a question: how to water the pet so that it does not suffer from a lack of moisture? The answer is pretty simple. Reptiles receive the bulk of their water with juicy food. Therefore, it is important that a plant-based diet is present in the turtle’s diet. For example, fresh cabbage or lettuce leaves can not only saturate the turtle, but also allow it to get the moisture it needs for normal life. You can feed your turtle with young dandelion leaves or clover. If you make sure that the turtle always has enough juicy fresh food, the animal will be reliably insured against dehydration.
Another way to keep your turtle hydrated is to put it in a tank of water. During water procedures, the animal will absorb a sufficient amount of moisture through the skin.