Live In
For the sake of the Arakan forest turtle's (Heosemys depressa) well-being in captivity, it is essential to maintain temperatures that are adequate. A turtle's ability to control its core body temperature—required for proper digestion, metabolism, and other bodily processes—is enhanced when its environmental temperature ranges are mimicked.
Daytime basking temperatures of 75 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit (24 to 29 degrees Celsius) are optimum for Arakan woodland turtles. Here, the turtle may bask in the warmth of a heat lamp or ultraviolet B light, helping it to maintain its body temperature. The turtle is able to digest food and perform other metabolic functions more efficiently when it basks.
70–75°F, or 21–24°C, is the ideal temperature range for the colder part of the enclosure. When the turtle becomes too hot from sunbathing, it has a place to go where it can cool off. By using a temperature difference inside its container, the turtle is able to efficiently control its body temperature by hopping from one warmer spot to a colder one.
The temperature inside the cage might decrease to around 65-70°F (18-21°C) throughout the night. The daily temperature cycle that the turtle experiences is quite comparable to its original environment, thanks to this nightly temperature reduction that matches natural settings.
Cold temperatures may stress out turtles and harm their health, so it's crucial to keep them from getting too low.
Keep the tank at the right temperature with the use of under-tank heating pads, ceramic heat emitters, or heat lamps. To keep the temperatures where you want them, you need use thermostats to regulate these heat sources. To make sure the turtle's environment is comfortable, it's important to put a thermometer in the warm and cold corners of its cage and check the readings often.
It is essential to give the semi-aquatic Arakan forest turtle with an appropriate temperature gradient in the water, in addition to the air temperature. In order for the turtle to swim and bathe comfortably, the water temperature should be kept between 75 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, or 24 and 27 degrees Celsius. The water dish may be placed in a warm part of the enclosure or a water heater can be used to keep the water temperature where it needs to be.
The Arakan forest turtle is vulnerable to damaging extremes of temperature. Prolonged exposure to cold temperatures may cause respiratory infections and other health problems, while heat stress can cause dehydration, heat exhaustion, and even death. For the turtle's sake, it's crucial to keep the cage at a constant, suitable temperature.
