If you're considering keeping pet turtles, it's important to be aware of a few key things. Proper feeding and hydration are essential, and it's important to keep their tank clean and free of anything that could be harmful to them. While turtles in the wild eat insects, it can be difficult to provide this for pets. They enjoy lettuce and some other human foods, but it's important to ensure they are not just given leftovers. Feeding pet turtles can be expensive, as most of their food will need to be purchased from pet stores.Food sticks are a good option to keep turtles healthy, but they need more than just that. Adding bits of fruit and vegetables to the sticks can provide a healthy and balanced diet. After feeding, it's important to check the tank for any uneaten food that could go moldy and be harmful to the pet. Signs that a turtle is not getting a healthy diet include lack of energy and interest, and milky eyes. Live fish can be given occasionally and can provide entertainment for children as the turtle hunts them.Regardless of how clean the tank is, it's vital to ensure there is always clean water available. Turtles' water will contain urine, which they should not drink. As turtles age, it's important to ensure they don't consume too much protein.Breeding turtles in captivity can be challenging, as they may not adapt well and may not mate if they cannot hibernate. Turtles are most ready to mate when they come out of hibernation, usually around May. It's important to ensure healthy turtles are used for breeding, as any weaknesses in the adults could be passed on to their offspring.If the turtles breed successfully, it will be necessary to provide soil for the female to bury the eggs. This soil should be deep, and it's important to protect the eggs from animals that could damage them. After 90 days, the eggs should hatch, and it's important to protect the baby turtles. It's a good idea to keep pet turtles indoors for the first year of their lives, regardless of whether they will eventually live outdoors.