Turtles and Tortoises for Dummies

by Liz Palika

Available from Amazon.com

This fun guide will help you choose the perfect turtle or tortoise for your lifestyle and give it the care to thrive. Turtle and tortoise expert Liz Palika provides clear, step-by-step instructions on how to set up a tank, maintain proper water conditions, and feed and care for your chelonian.

Discover how to:
• Select the proper turtle or tortoise
• Provide a suitable environment
• Care for a variety of species
• Supply a healthy and satisfying diet
• Creat an indoor or outdoor home

Liz and her husband Paul live with a variety of turtles and tortoises, including African sulcata and leopard tortoises and Gulf Coast box turtles. Her addiction to turtles and tortoises began over 20 years ago when they adopted two desert tortoises. They soon became involved in turtle and tortoise adoption and joined several herpetological societies and turtle and tortoise clubs. They've learned a lot over the years, and this book is the result of that education.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART 1: Deciding Whether a Turtle or Tortoise is Right For You

1- Understanding Chelonians
2- Understanding What Turtle and Tortoise Ownership Requires of You
3- Choosing the Right Turtle or Tortoise for You
4- Finding your Turtle or Tortoise

Part 2- The Who's Who of Turtles and Tortoises

5- Aquatic Turtles
6- Semi-Aquatic Turtles
7- Semi-terrestrial and Terrestrial Turtles
8- North American Box Turtles
9- Small Tortoises
10- Medium Size to Large Tortoises
11- Really Big Tortoises
12- Special Tortoises

Part 3: Welcome Home! Creating a Safe and Healthy Environment

13- Making a Home for an Aquatic or Semi-Aquatic Turtle
14- Making an Indoor Home for a Terrestrial Turtle or Small Tortoises
15-Keeping a Turtle or Tortoise Outdooors
16- Lighting Up Your Chelonian's World
17- Keeping Your Turtle or Tortoise Warm and Toasty
18- Water: The Magic Liquid

Part 4: Open Wide! Turtle and Tortoise Health

19- Making Sure Your Pet Eats the Right Things
20- Monitoring Your Turtle or Tortoise's health
21- Breeding Your Chelonians
22- Sleeping the Winter Away

Part 5: The Part of Tens

23- Ten Turtles and Tortoises That Make Great Pets
24- Ten Turtles and Tortoises That May Be Difficult to Care For
25- Ten Ways to Keep Your Pet Healthy
26- Ten Common Mistakes to Avoid

Appendix A: Chelonian Terms and Scientific Names

Appendix B: Sources of Things Chelonian

Return to Liz's main page