Turtle & tortoise care
Straight answers to the questions turtle and tortoise keepers ask most: what to feed, how often to change the water, how to set up a tank, and what each species needs.
Lifespan & growth
Sulcata Tortoise Growth Chart (Size and Weight by Age)
Sulcatas hatch at about 2 inches and can pass 100 lb. A growth chart by age for captive and wild sulcatas, how fast they grow, and how to track it.
· 7 min read
Behavior
Can Two Turtles Live Together? Pairs, Tank Mates and Tortoises
Two turtles can share a home with lots of extra space, but most do fine alone. When pairs work, which ones don't, and turtles with fish or tortoises.
· 7 min read
Tanks & habitat
How Often to Clean a Tortoise Enclosure (Daily to Deep Clean)
Spot clean every day, scrub dishes weekly, and replace the substrate every few months. A tortoise enclosure cleaning schedule and safe cleaners.
· 7 min read
Feeding
Can Tortoises Eat Cucumber? (Skin, Seeds and How Often)
Yes, as a rare treat. Cucumber is safe but almost all water, with little fiber or calcium. How often, skin and seeds, and how it differs by species.
· 6 min read
Tanks & habitat
How Often to Replace a UVB Bulb for Turtles and Tortoises
Most UVB bulbs need replacing every 6–12 months, even while they still glow. What vets recommend by bulb type, and how a UV meter helps.
· 6 min read
Lifespan & growth
How Long Do Red-Eared Sliders Live? Lifespan as Pets and in the Wild
Pet red-eared sliders usually live 20–30 years, and some pass 40. Lifespan in the wild vs. in a tank, life stages, and the care that helps.
· 6 min read
Behavior
Why Does My Tortoise Bob His Head? What It Means
Head bobbing is usually a male tortoise's courtship or rivalry signal, or a quick sniff. What each kind means, and the signs that mean a vet check.
· 6 min read
Tanks & habitat
Why Is My Turtle Tank Cloudy? Causes and How to Fix It
A cloudy turtle tank usually means too much waste for the filter, a new tank that's still settling, or algae. How to tell which, and how to fix it.
· 7 min read
Tanks & habitat
How Long Should Turtle Lights Be On? A Simple Daily Schedule
About 12 hours a day, then fully off at night. Light hours by species and season, UVB vs. heat lamps, and why they shouldn't run 24/7.
· 6 min read
Tanks & habitat
How Often to Change Turtle Water (With or Without a Filter)
With a good filter, change 20–30% of your turtle's water once a week. Schedules with and without a filter, for baby turtles, and how to do it.
· 7 min read
Feeding
How Often to Feed a Red-Eared Slider (Chart by Age)
Babies eat every day; adults get greens daily and richer food a few times a week. A feeding chart by age, portion sizes and how many pellets to give.
· 6 min read
Feeding
How Often to Feed a Russian Tortoise (and How Much)
Young Russian tortoises eat daily; adults get a shell-sized pile of greens a day. How much to give, what to feed every day, and how not to overfeed.
· 7 min read
Tanks & habitat
How Often to Soak a Tortoise (and for How Long)
Hatchlings daily, juveniles and adults about twice a week, for 10–30 minutes in shallow lukewarm water. A chart by age, plus species notes.
· 6 min read
Lifespan & growth
How to Tell How Old a Turtle Is: Shell Rings, Size and Species
Without a hatch date you can only estimate a turtle's age. Here's how to read shell rings, size and adult features, and how far to trust each.
· 7 min read
Care guidance on this blog is general information, not veterinary advice. If you’re worried about your turtle or tortoise, see a reptile vet.