Turtle Transportation Services

Reptile owners occasionally face the need to transport their pets. Not everyone knows how to transport a turtle correctly. It’s necessary to choose a container and create suitable conditions. For short-term transportation, a plastic container or cardboard box will suffice. If a long trip is ahead, it’s better to purchase a special reptile carrier at a pet store.

TRANSPORTING A TURTLE IN THE SUMMER

Land or semi-aquatic turtles can be transported in plastic containers or cardboard boxes in the summer, observing the following transportation rules:

• The carrier must have sufficient ventilation. The openings should be located on the sides or lid of the box.
• Make sure the container or box is tightly closed; otherwise, the turtle may get out.
• Place a layer of bedding on the bottom of the carrier. Paper towels, napkins, sawdust, wood chips, sphagnum moss, meadow hay, or a towel will work for this.
• The carrier should not be cramped for the turtle but also should not provide too much space for it to move around.
• If the air temperature is above 82°F (28°C), you can put a water-soaked napkin in the container.
• Regularly check the air temperature and the turtle’s condition. You will be able to make sure it hasn’t flipped over and remove the pet’s waste.
• Keep the carrier away from drafts and direct sunlight to avoid hypothermia or overheating of the reptile.
• Aquatic turtles (softshell turtles) are recommended to be transported in an aquarium or in plastic containers with a small amount of water. For short-term transportation, the pet can be surrounded by moistened towels or placed in a damp cloth bag.

HOW TO TRANSPORT A TURTLE IN THE WINTER

At temperatures below 59°F (15°C), the pet needs to be additionally warmed. Turtles are cold-blooded animals, so they warm up in winter using external heat sources. There are two ways to do this:

• Heat source. The turtle is placed in a closed container on bedding, and a heat pack is placed next to it. To avoid overheating the pet, a layer of fabric should be placed between the heat pack and the turtle.
• Human warmth. The turtle should be wrapped in a dense cloth and placed in an inside pocket of outerwear.

Turtles can go several days without food, so you can avoid feeding the turtle 24 hours before the trip. They can go without water for no more than two days.

Many people wonder if it is possible to transport a turtle in a car without negative consequences for the pet. This is possible, but it is necessary to ensure the necessary ventilation and avoid drafts and overheating of the reptile.