New Year’s Mistakes That Can Stress Your Turtle (And How to Avoid Them)
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New Year’s celebrations are fun for us, but they can be stressful for our shelled friends. Trust me, I’ve been there. One year, I unintentionally turned Shelly’s night into a nightmare with loud music and a bunch of guests.
Let me help you avoid the mistakes I made so your turtle can glide peacefully into the new year.
1. Fireworks and Loud Noises
Turtles hate loud sounds. Fireworks, party poppers, and even blasting music can freak them out.
Here’s what happened with Shelly: I forgot how sensitive she is, and my playlist was way too loud. She tucked herself into her shell like it was the end of the world.
Solution:
- Move their tank to a quiet room.
- Use a towel to cover the tank (not fully, so they can still breathe).
- Keep the volume low near them.
2. Throwing Off Their Routine
Turtles love predictability. I once stayed up late celebrating and totally messed up Shelly’s schedule. I fed her late, forgot to turn her light on in the morning, and she was not impressed.
Stick to this checklist:
| Morning Routine | Evening Routine |
|---|---|
| Feed them on time. | Turn off tank lights. |
| Turn on basking light. | Maintain quiet. |
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Grab 2 free truths from the ebook and get a taste of what your turtle really thinks about your setup, your food choices, and that weird plastic palm tree.
It’s funny, it’s honest, and if you’ve ever owned a turtle who glares at you like you’re the problem—you’ll feel seen.
3. Party Guests Overwhelming Them
If you’re hosting, don’t let guests get too curious about your turtle. I had someone tap on Shelly’s tank over and over, and she hid for hours. I felt so bad!
Pro Tip:
- Place their tank in a separate room.
- Tell guests, “Look, don’t touch!”
4. Changing Their Tank Too Quickly
I thought it’d be fun to redecorate Shelly’s tank for the new year. Big mistake. I replaced her basking rock, and she refused to bask for days.
Turtles don’t like sudden changes. If you’re adding anything new, do it gradually.
5. Giving Them “Festive” Food
This is a big no-no. One year, I gave Shelly a tiny piece of ham, thinking I was treating her. She ended up sick, and my new year started with a vet bill.
Stick to turtle-approved snacks:
- Good: Fresh veggies, feeder fish, turtle pellets.
- Bad: Anything salty, sugary, or greasy.
Start the Year Right for Your Turtle
Celebrating the new year doesn’t mean stressing your turtle out. Small adjustments can make all the difference.
I keep Shelly’s tank calm, her routine consistent, and her diet clean now—and we’re both much happier.
What’s your plan to keep your turtle stress-free this New Year? Let me know in the comments!
About Author
Muntaseer Rahman started keeping pet turtles back in 2013. He also owns the largest Turtle & Tortoise Facebook community in Bangladesh. These days he is mostly active on Facebook.
