Are There Any Toxic Substrates or Decor to Avoid in Turtle Enclosures?
Identify toxic substrates and décor to avoid; get safe alternatives, signs of toxicity, and tips for turtle-safe enclosures.
Shell Sanctuary
Your #1 Guide on Pet and Wild Turtles
Shell Sanctuary
Your #1 Guide on Pet and Wild Turtles
Category Turtle Habitat Setup
Guides for designing safe, species-appropriate turtle habitats for pet care, covering tank setup, lighting, heating, filtration, substrate, and enrichment.
How to Create Basking and Hiding Areas for Turtle Well-being
Create safe basking and hiding areas with proper lighting, temperatures, hides, substrate, and upkeep for turtle well-being.
How Often Should You Clean and Replace Turtle Substrate?
Guide to when to clean and replace turtle substrate, including schedules, signs, methods, and substrate options.
How Proper Substrate Supports Turtle Digging and Nesting Behaviors
Choose the right substrate—depth, texture, moisture—and set up nesting sites to support pet turtle digging and safe burrows.
Best Substrate for Your Terrestrial Turtle or Tortoise Enclosure
Compare safe terrestrial turtle/tortoise substrates; pros/cons, moisture, digging, safety, cleaning, setup tips, and cost.
Essential Heating and Lighting for Your Tortoise Habitat
Guide to heating, lighting, UVB, basking zones, temps, humidity, gear, setup steps, monitoring and upkeep for a tortoise habitat.
How to Set Up the Perfect Indoor Tortoise Enclosure
Plan the perfect indoor tortoise enclosure for niche pet turtle care: size, lighting, heat, substrate, humidity, safety, upkeep.
Best Substrate Choices for Your Turtle Species
Compare substrate options by turtle species: safety, humidity needs, cleanup, and setup tips for Pet Turtle Care.
What Size Enclosure Does Your Turtle or Tortoise Need?
Size the right enclosure for your turtle or tortoise: species, age, space, temperature, humidity, enrichment, and setup tips.
Common Terrestrial Turtle and Tortoise Enclosure Mistakes to Avoid
Common mistakes in terrestrial turtle/tortoise enclosures: space, substrate, UVB/heat, humidity, basking, hides, cleaning, safety.