I'll talk to you.

I kept some central american wood turtles for awhile.

I'm assuming that what you were looking at was a Rhinoclemmy subspecies.

There is a good article on their outdoor care on www.tortoise.org

here's an article that covers the main points

www.chelonia.org/Articles/rpulcherrimacare.htm

I think your original post is correct in that many people try to treat turtle/tortoise keeping as something only a purist could do right. I think a turtle's needs are closer to that of diurnal lizards than nocturnal snakes. They need a fuller environment with heat/light on a daily cycle, not a tub in a rack with constant background heat.

So, what do you do?

1) Read up on the species. Find out what kind of environment they need. Decide if you can make the right enclosure for them. My wood turtles were fine animals, but they needed a fairly high humidity, and through trial and error I've found that I can't keep high humidity animals. If I get the humidity right, my herp room develops mold. If I keep humidity down enough to stop the mold, the humid-loving animals go into hiding. Now I stick to desert species, with the exception of my dumpy frog. He's very tolerant and does well with regular misting and a water bowl.

2) If you provide a good environment and provide a varied diet of acceptable foods and appropriate supplements, the turtle will be fine. Yes, it helps if you provide some UV lighting. And even better if you can give them some time outdoors. For my indoor tortoises I provide them a full-spectrum fluorescent bulb from Home Depot that has a little UV output. I sprinkle some d3/calcium powder on their greens, and I also give them some pelleted foods (Mazuri and Pretty Pets) that also have D3 in them. And in warm weather I allow them a few hours of basking time a week. Result, firm shells and even growth.

So find a species that can fit into your own personal environment, make an enclosure that fits their needs, and enjoy. Pay attention to heat/light/hydration. Ornates will thrive on a mixed diet of some greens, fruits, bugs and some pellets.

The biggest problem with leaving them alone for a few days is the poop. They can poop a lot and then walk around in it. Sometimes when I leave for a couple days I shut off the heat lamps on my indoor torts and let them cool out. Temps drop back into the 70s and 80s instead of 80s and 90s. They slow down and don't eat as much. As if a mild cool-front moved in.

For my outdoor torts, I don't worry as much. The sun and rain keep their pens clean enough for the few days I'm gone.

Good luck!

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