turtle what kills a turtle does a turtle have to live in a certain type of water?
2007-07-26 12:45:20 · 6 answers · asked by Michaela G 1 in Pets ➔ Fish
Depending on how the tap water is treated in your area, it might! I've never had turtles, but I know it can be bad for fish, so I'm assuming it would be the same way. Check with your local pet store - there should be some stuff you can add to the water to get the chlorine/chloramine out so it will be safe. Good luck!
2007-07-26 12:48:04 · answer #1 · answered by Brenda B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a little different for turtles than fish. Chlorine in water will kill a fish because it affects their gills so they aren't able to breathe properly. It also gets into the bloodstream by way of the gills and affects the internal organs.
Since turtles don't use gills for breathing (they use their lungs for the most part except when hibernating, then there's a throat patch as well as patches near their tail which can absorb oxygen directly from the water), it doesn't affect them the same way. For them, chlorine is more of an irritant, the same as it might be for your eyes when swimming.
There are two reasons why you should still treat the chlorine (or chloramine, depending on what your water supplier uses to treat). One is because it can irritate the eyes and skin that absorbs the chlorine, but the main reason is that chlorine also kills the bacteria that detoxifies your turtles wastes.
So go ahead and use tap water, but I would recommend that you contact your water provider to find out which water treatment they use, then finding an appropriate product to remove or neutralize that chemical.
2007-07-26 20:03:11 · answer #2 · answered by copperhead 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You should use dechlorinator because over the long run, it will damage the turtle's skin and shell. It won't kill it overnight though. Turtles need UV light to keep their bones and shell strong. The water just needs to be clean.
2007-07-26 19:52:25 · answer #3 · answered by fivespeed302 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I own turtles and I use tapwater only, never used any kind of chemicals in my tank besides changing the carbon cartridge and doing water changes
My turtles are healthy and were never sick
They are extremly hardy
Just don't forget that you need a basking place for them
Hope that helps
Good luck
EB
2007-07-27 05:42:03 · answer #4 · answered by Kribensis lover 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Chlorine free. Let the water age for 24 hours before putting it in the tank or use a dechlorinator.
2007-07-26 19:51:57 · answer #5 · answered by something_fishy 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
it might ask a vet!
2007-07-26 19:48:59 · answer #6 · answered by VolleyballSpiker<3 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋