About Us
Welcome — you’re on Shell Sanctuary, a dedicated pet turtle care resource founded and written by Alex Johnson. Alex is a long-time turtle keeper and enthusiast focused on creating healthy, humane habitats and practical care routines for a variety of turtle species. We offer hands-on husbandry advice, enclosure and water quality tips, feeding and nutrition guides, and enrichment ideas to help you keep your shelled friends thriving.
All content is carefully researched and reviewed by reptile veterinarians and experienced herpetologists, ensuring you receive accurate, safe, and practical guidance for the well-being of your turtles.
Meet Our Team
We’re a small team of turtle keepers, aquarists, writers, and veterinary professionals who believe responsible reptile care should be accessible, evidence-based, and rewarding. Our contributors include herpetologists, aquatic specialists, and licensed reptile veterinarians who together bring over 35 years of hands-on experience to Shell Sanctuary.
What sets us apart is our focus on practical results. Every enclosure setup, feeding regimen, and health protocol we publish has been trialed by our team or reviewed by specialists. We write for keepers of all levels — whether you’re setting up your first tank or fine-tuning husbandry for a more advanced species.
- Evidence-based turtle care insights grounded in current herpetology and veterinary practice
- Friendly, no-nonsense advice for everyday husbandry that respects your time and resources
- Content regularly updated to reflect new findings and best practices in reptile care
- Direct access to our team’s collective expertise across husbandry, nutrition, and veterinary care
Our Mission
Our mission is to make responsible turtle care approachable, accurate, and sustainable for keepers at every level. We aim to help owners create habitats and routines that prioritize animal welfare, long-term health, and enrichment, while promoting conservation-minded stewardship of wild populations.
We bridge scientific husbandry principles with everyday practice. Rather than oversimplify or overwhelm, we explain the “why” behind recommended setups and treatments so you can make informed decisions that suit your turtle’s species, age, and environment.
- Deliver actionable habitat and health tips with clear, species-appropriate guidance
- Translate reptile science and veterinary insights into practical tools you can use daily
- Provide flexible guidelines that adapt to different species, tank sizes, and budgets
- Create resources that address common barriers like water quality, filtration, and access to veterinary care
Our Values
We value consistency over extremes, honesty over hype, and steady improvement over perfection. Every guide and troubleshooting article is created to help keepers take realistic, effective steps toward better husbandry. Our editorial standards prioritize accuracy, clarity, and animal welfare.
Transparency is fundamental — we disclose partnerships or sponsorships clearly, and these relationships never determine our care recommendations. Our priority is the health of the animals and the trust of our community; we will call out practices that lack scientific support.
- Practicality: Actionable advice that works in real-life enclosures and outdoor ponds
- Transparency: Clear disclosures and evidence-backed recommendations, no gimmicks
- Community: We learn and improve together, sharing successes, questions, and safe practices
- Expertise: Guidance crafted by qualified professionals with verifiable credentials in herpetology and veterinary medicine
- Authority: Citations and references from respected sources in reptile care and veterinary research
- Trustworthiness: We correct errors promptly and update content as new evidence becomes available
Our Expertise
Our content is rooted in verified expertise and practical experience. Alex Johnson leads with extensive hands-on work in turtle husbandry and habitat design, backed by collaboration with licensed reptile veterinarians and herpetologists.
Our review process includes subject matter experts who ensure recommendations align with current veterinary standards and husbandry best practices. We maintain connections with professional organizations and keep our knowledge current through continuing education.
When we reference studies or clinical guidance, we explain their real-world limitations and how to apply findings safely in home or outdoor settings. Our goal is to translate research into reliable, usable care steps.
- All care guides follow established principles of reptile husbandry and animal welfare
- Nutrition and feeding recommendations are aligned with evidence-based veterinary guidance
- Health and safety protocols developed in consultation with licensed reptile veterinarians
- Ongoing education and training for all contributors to maintain up-to-date expertise
Thanks for visiting! Have feedback or a success story to share? Reach out on our contact us page or drop a comment — we’d love to hear from you. We read every message and incorporate reader feedback to improve our content.
General Disclaimer: While our team includes reptile experts and veterinary reviewers, the content on this site is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. Always consult a qualified reptile veterinarian before making significant changes to your turtle’s care, diet, or environment.