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Arakan forest turtles (Heosemys depressa) and other turtles should not be dressed or clothed since it is damaging to the animals. Clothing and accessories may have a detrimental effect on turtles because of their particular physiological and behavioural demands, which are different from mammals. Some alternatives to dressing turtles and reasons why it's not a good idea are as follows:
As a first and main biological adaptation, turtles' naturally occurring shells provide protection and perform a number of other important roles. Since reptiles are ectothermic and depend on outside heat sources to keep themselves warm, covering the turtle's shell with clothes might make it more difficult for it to do so. Turtles may experience thermal stress or even health problems like hypothermia or hyperthermia if they are covered in clothing.
The natural behaviours of turtles, including as walking, climbing, swimming, and burrowing, are essential for their survival. This is especially true for the Arakan forest turtle. Wearing clothes that limit their range of motion can hinder their ability to carry out these vital tasks. Slower movement limits the turtle's range of motion, which puts strain on its muscles and skeletal system and makes it less likely that it will exercise as it should.
Turtles' skin and shell are particularly vulnerable to physical harm from clothes. Because of their delicate skin, turtles are susceptible to abrasions and blisters caused by the friction of garment materials. Wearing clothing for long periods of time may impose strain on the shell and limbs, which can lead to injuries or abnormalities.
Turtles may also experience psychological stress due to the presence of clothes or accessories. Because of their extreme sensitivity to their surroundings, these reptiles may experience extreme anxiety and suffering when they have foreign things fastened to their bodies. Their quality of life and resistance to disease may both take a hit when they're under stress.
Turtles don't need their owners to dress them up; what they need is an environment that encourages and promotes their natural behaviours. As an example, it may be a well planned enclosure with different levels of ground, places to hide, and things to play with, such as rocks, logs, and plants. In such a setting, the turtle may go foraging, explore, and generally enjoy itself, which is good for its mental and physical health.
Food puzzles, sensory stimulation, and chances for supervised exploration outside the cage are all examples of enrichment that caregivers may provide to improve the turtle's surroundings. Without the usual clothing-related hazards, these pursuits may nonetheless provide mental and physical excitement.