Creating Turtle Ponds

Ponds are an attractive addition to any yard and appeal to all people of all ages. With so many choices of ponds to design and create, anyone can make their yard a distinctive showplace and stand out from the crowd. For the individual that not only enjoys the water feature that a pond brings to a garden but would also like some aquatic life, why not consider turtle ponds.

How Do You Make Turtle Ponds?

It may be a good place to start by discovering what type of turtle would be best for your turtle ponds location and climate. A pond can be created for any turtle, including the tortoise which is usually considered more of a land turtle but also enjoy shallow water.

A tortoise would not spend most of its time in the water and would obviously need more land space than a water turtle. The Red-eared slider is a turtle that spends most of its time in the water. There are many other breeds of turtles and speaking with a pet store owner or looking on the web to research other breeds will help narrow down the options on the proper choices for the turtle ponds that you wish to design and create.

After selecting your choice of turtle, the next step is selecting where you are going to create the turtle ponds. All turtles need to be able to get out of the pool so digging out a pool that has some edges and gradually slopes down will work best for the turtle. You can also include ramps, such as sticks or rocks, as a means to allow the turtle to leave and enter the pool.

Turtle ponds need a lot of thought out in order for the turtles to thrive. This includes the type of liner that will be used in the pond. As turtles do have sharp claws, some people prefer the pre-fabricated liners that are thick and less likely to be damaged by the turtles. The shape of these is already formed and some don't have the varying levels for the turtles to climb in and out of the water. The regular liners are not very thick and can be torn, but they can be formed in any shape that is desired. Research into both and decide which will work best for the turtle ponds that will be in your yard.

Protecting The Turtles

It is very important to place some sort of fencing around the turtle ponds. Not only will this stop the turtles from wandering off, it will also keep predators away from the turtles. If you choose a wire fence, keep in mind that turtles are small and their heads and legs can get trapped in the mesh wiring. They can also good diggers so check the fencing frequently to prevent runaways and if possible, sink the fencing into the ground 6" or so. Some sort of wiring may also be required over the turtle pond as well to keep birds and perhaps even raccoons away, depending on your location.

Plants For Turtle Ponds

Making turtle ponds have a tropical feel about them is the fun part. Remember, the turtles will more than likely enjoy snacking on the plants in its new environment, so make sure none of the chosen plant life is dangerous for the turtle. Use plenty of rocks around the turtle's pond to give them lots of choices on places to sit and enjoy the sunshine.

Turtle ponds are a delightful choice that will bring endless pleasure and enchant the entire family and neighbors.