What You Need to Know

Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors

Reviewed by Amy Flowers, DVM on March 06, 2023

In this Article

• Before Getting a Pet Turtle
• Caring for Your Turtle

Turtles are one of the oldest kinds of reptiles on the planet. Their hard shell and slow-moving mannerisms make them unique pets. They’re hardy creatures and can be fun to care for. They may seem like low-maintenance pets, but most turtle species can live for decades, which makes them a lifelong commitment.

Turtles need a lot of special care and plenty of room to grow. Turtles can live for many years, and they continue to grow during their lifetime. They need specific living standards to give them a happy and healthy life. 

Small turtles are often mistreated and mishandled, leading to premature death. Turtles shipped by mail often don’t survive the trip, and those kept in small tanks in pet stores live unhappy lives. 

If you’re interested in buying a turtle, you’ll need to determine what kind you want. The many species require different living environments. Rather than buying from a pet store, adopting a turtle from a local animal shelter or rescue group is the best option. 

Consider the other main aspects of caring for turtles, including where you’ll keep them, what you’ll feed them, and safety precautions.

Health risks. Before you buy a small turtle for your family, consider that they can transmit Salmonella to humans, causing serious illness. The CDC does not recommend small turtles for children under the age of five, older people, or people with compromised immune systems. 

Because of the risk of disease transmission and endangered native turtle populations, some states require permits to own a turtle. Check your state’s laws before deciding on the right turtle for you. The best turtle varieties for beginners are male painted turtles. These include U.S. mud and musk turtles and male red-eared sliders. They are relatively easy to care for and don’t require a lot of special attention.  

Habitat. Before bringing your turtle home, you’ll need the right lighting, temperature, and water filtration system. They will need room to walk about their enclosure, and they’ll need their space cleaned frequently. 

Turtles need a lot of space to roam. Water turtles need large aquariums with plenty of room to swim and a place to get out of the water and sit under the heat lamp. Even small turtles need an aquarium that’s no smaller than 29 gallons, or 4 feet long and 18 inches wide. Your turtle needs plenty of space to grow. 

Lifespan. Many types of turtles can live up to 20 years or longer, and they’ll continue to grow. Their space, diet, and other needs will change as they do, so do your research to choose one you can continue to care for.

Diet. Your turtle’s diet will depend on the type of turtle you choose. Water turtles have a different diet from land turtles. Generally, turtles eat insects, fish, dark leafy greens, and freeze-dried mealworms. They need a healthy mix of 80% vegetables and 20% fruits. Turtles like squash, watermelon, and tomatoes. 

How much food you give them will depend on the type of turtle you get and their size. You don’t necessarily need to feed your turtle every day, but they can be fed four to five times a week. This is not the case for young water turtles, which need feeding every day. 

After bringing your turtle home and getting them adjusted, consider joining a local turtle and tortoise society or club. These groups can be a helpful resource for caring for your pet turtle and giving them a long, healthy life.

When caring for your turtle, always wash your hands after handling, and don’t bathe them or wash their habitat pieces in your kitchen or bathroom. If possible, also wash their habitat outside or in a designated bin or tub. This will help prevent the spread of Salmonella to family members or other pets. 

Because reptiles are common carriers of Salmonella, don’t cuddle or kiss your turtle. Make sure children wash their hands and avoid putting their hands in their mouths after playing with turtles to avoid illness. Even if your turtle appears healthy, it’s safer to assume all reptiles can spread Salmonella. 

If for some reason you find that you can no longer care for your pet turtle, you can contact a turtle society for help. Don’t release your turtle into the wild. Pet turtles are not adapted to the outdoors and can become a threat to native turtle populations. 

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Turtles can make great pets, but do your homework first

This 2016 photo provided by Chris Leone of Garden State Tortoise shows two Russian Tortoises in Galloway, N. J. Turtles may seem like the perfect low-maintenance pet—less work than dogs and cats and more interactive than fish. And they can make wonderful pets. But experts say you should know what you’re getting into first and how much work will be involved. (Chris Leone/Garden State Tortoise via AP)

While turtles might seem like the perfect pet—less work than dogs and cats, more interactive than fish—there are a few things to keep in mind before buying one.

“They are definitely becoming more popular as pets. Some of them are very beautiful and they can be easily purchased over the internet. But there’s no such thing as an easy pet,” says Katrina Smith, adoptions coordinator for the Maryland-based Mid-Atlantic Turtle and Tortoise Society.

CONSIDER THE SOURCE

First, never take a wild turtle as a pet.

“Chances are they won’t do well in captivity,” Smith says. “Look into adopting a turtle from your local turtle society or www. petfinder.com before buying one. And if you do buy, make absolutely sure it’s been born in captivity.”

The cute, tiny turtles often found at tourist shops across the country may be hard to resist, but turtle experts say you should.

“Don’t buy those tiny turtles you see for sale in Chinatown in New York, or in tourist shops in Daytona Beach on spring break,” Smith says. “They’re being sold illegally.”

Some states, like New Jersey, require permits for pet turtles, largely due to concerns about already stressed populations of native turtles, Smith says. Be sure to check local laws before deciding what kind of turtle to adopt, Smith says.

This 2015 photo provided by Chris Leone of Garden State Tortoise shows a Western Hermann’s tortoise from Apulia, Italy after a rain showing its bright coloration in Galloway, N.J. Turtles may seem like the perfect low-maintenance pet—less work than dogs and cats and more interactive than fish. And they can make wonderful pets. But experts say you should know what you’re getting into first and how much work will be involved. (Chris Leone/Garden State Tortoise via AP)

HEALTH AND SAFETY

Because many turtles carry salmonella, young children, the elderly, pregnant women and others at risk should avoid contact with turtles or be extra careful to wash their hands thoroughly after touching them.

Connected to this risk, federal law prohibits selling turtles less than 4 inches in size because of the risk of children putting them in their mouths.

Dave Pauli, a senior adviser for wildlife response and policy for the Humane Society of the United States, runs a large turtle and tortoise rescue and rehabilitation center in Billings, Montana. He stresses the importance of “good hygiene protocol” when taking a turtle into a home.

This 2016 photo provided by Chris Leone of Garden State Tortoise shows a head close-up of a Russian Tortoise in Galloway, N.J. Turtles may seem like the perfect low-maintenance pet—less work than dogs and cats and more interactive than fish. And they can make wonderful pets. But experts say you should know what you’re getting into first and how much work will be involved. (Chris Leone/Garden State Tortoise via AP)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urge people to treat all turtles as if they are contaminated with salmonella, because they probably are. Wash hands thoroughly after touching turtles, their cages or their feces, and do not touch your face, other people, or any surface until your hands have been washed. Also, turtles should be kept separate from food and kept away with people at high risk of infection, the center advises.

PICKING THE RIGHT VARIETY

Some turtles that start out small can grow to the size of a garbage can lid, so do your homework ahead of time when selecting a type and gender of turtle to call your own. In many species, females grow to be much larger than their male counterparts, Smith says.

The best varieties for beginners are male painted turtles, U. S. mud and musk turtles, and male red-eared sliders, she says.

This 2015 photo provided by Chris Leone of Garden State Tortoise shows a Eastern Hermann’s tortoise in Galloway, N.J. Turtles may seem like the perfect low-maintenance pet—less work than dogs and cats and more interactive than fish. And they can make wonderful pets. But experts say you should know what you’re getting into first and how much work will be involved. (Chris Leone/Garden State Tortoise via AP)

CARING FOR YOUR ANIMAL

“Turtles require more maintenance and space than most people generally assume,” Pauli says, “and they live for decades, so buyers should be aware that they are a pet that may well outlive them.”

Turtles require a varied and sometime messy diet, room to roam in an aquarium and strict temperature control. Their habitat needs to be cleaned more often than many people realize, although water turtles require less maintenance than box turtle or other varieties.

GET TO KNOW YOUR TURTLE

This 2015 photo provided by Chris Leone of Garden State Tortoise shows a Western Hermann’s tortoise from Apulia, Italy in a clover patch in Galloway, N.J. Turtles may seem like the perfect low-maintenance pet—less work than dogs and cats and more interactive than fish. And they can make wonderful pets. But experts say you should know what you’re getting into first and how much work will be involved. (Chris Leone/Garden State Tortoise via AP)

Turtles can be beautiful pets and “are really cool to have,” Pauli says. “They’re extremely interesting and have individual personalities. But they are exotic pets, and pet store owners are generally an extremely poor source of information about them.”

Experts advise seeking out a local turtle and tortoise society or club—there are dozens across the country—for information and animals. Turtle societies can answer questions about caring for pets and promoting turtle welfare.

If you have a turtle that is proving to be more than you can handle, contact a turtle society about what to do, and never release them into the wild.

Certain types of turtle—red-eared sliders, for example—are so frequently released by pet owners into the wild that they have become an invasive species around the world, and are threatening native turtle populations.

Turtles are hardy and can be wonderful pets, experts say. Just know what you’re getting into, and how to care for them properly to ensure a healthy life for the turtle, its owner, and native species in your area.

• This photo provided by Katrina Smith of the Mid-Atlantic Turtle & Tortoise Society shows an Eastern Box turtle. Turtles may seem like the perfect low-maintenance pet—less work than dogs and cats and more interactive than fish. And they can make wonderful pets. But experts say you should know what you’re getting into first and how much work will be involved. (Katrina Smith/Mid-Atlantic Turtle & Tortoise Society via AP)

• This photo provided by Katrina Smith of the Mid-Atlantic Turtle & Tortoise Society shows is a eastern painted turtle. Turtles may seem like the perfect low-maintenance pet—less work than dogs and cats and more interactive than fish. And they can make wonderful pets. But experts say you should know what you’re getting into first and how much work will be involved. (Katrina Smith/Mid-Atlantic Turtle & Tortoise Society via AP)

• This photo provided by Katrina Smith of the Mid-Atlantic Turtle & Tortoise Society shows a common musk turtle. Turtles may seem like the perfect low-maintenance pet—less work than dogs and cats and more interactive than fish. And they can make wonderful pets. But experts say you should know what you’re getting into first and how much work will be involved. (Katrina Smith/Mid-Atlantic Turtle & Tortoise Society via AP)

• This photo provided by Katrina Smith of the Mid-Atlantic Turtle & Tortoise Society shows is a baby red-eared slider turtle on top of an adulte female red-eared slider. Turtles may seem like the perfect low-maintenance pet—less work than dogs and cats and more interactive than fish. And they can make wonderful pets. But experts say you should know what you’re getting into first and how much work will be involved. (Katrina Smith/Mid-Atlantic Turtle & Tortoise Society via AP)

• This photo provided by Katrina Smith of the Mid-Atlantic Turtle & Tortoise Society shows a baby Sulcata turtle on top of a young adult sulcata. Turtles may seem like the perfect low-maintenance pet—less work than dogs and cats and more interactive than fish. And they can make wonderful pets. But experts say you should know what you’re getting into first and how much work will be involved. (Katrina Smith/Mid-Atlantic Turtle & Tortoise Society via AP)

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Turtle as a pet for your home

The fascination with turtles, one of the oldest reptiles on Earth, is not uncommon among animal lovers. Despite the fact that they are not as frisky and fluffy as cats or dogs. How to keep a turtle as a pet?

Turtle – how its body works

Turtles, which are part of the reptile group, are distinguished mainly by their characteristic armor – shell. The shell of a turtle consists of the fusion of the ribs and processes of the vertebrae with bony plates on the back. The carapace has dorsal (carapace) and ventral (plastron) parts. The shell is intended primarily to protect the turtle.

Turtle skin is permeable, so the animal is optimally protected from drying out. However, it does not have sweat glands, so the presence of a turtle in the sun on a hot afternoon can lead to overheating.

This million-year-old reptile has no teeth. However, the edges of its jaws have well-developed horn-like plates, which allow it to effectively bite off parts of plants, as well as catch and bite prey.

Tortoise species

To date, almost 365 species of tortoises, many of their genera and families, have been described. Their species are extremely diverse – from small aquatic turtles inhabiting lakes and ponds, to giant sea and land turtles, whose ancestors lived on Earth more than 220 million years ago.

Many of them, unfortunately, are now under the threat of extinction – for various reasons. When deciding to adopt a turtle as a pet, it is imperative to find out where this particular individual came from and whether the species it represents is endangered. In addition, not all types of turtles are suitable for home breeding.

Tropical tortoises are not the best choice for beginner reptile lovers, as keeping them in an exotarium requires special knowledge and is time consuming. Ornamental turtles are popular terrarium animals. Ornamental subspecies recommended for beginners are the terrestrial turtles: red-eared turtle, yellow-eared turtle and yellow-bellied turtle. Most often, steppe or Greek turtles are kept in houses.

Where turtles live

Turtles live on all continents, except for the polar zones. They live in tropical forests, lakes, wetlands, deserts and seas. Lakes, ponds and rivers around the world are home to these reptiles, and some turtles, in turn, inhabit even the most arid regions of the globe. In Russia, of the land turtles, only the steppe is found, it is also called the Central Asian. Of the aquatic turtles on the territory of our country, there are marsh, red-eared and Far Eastern turtles.

Raising turtles at home

Some species of turtles are suitable for home breeding. Turtles, although they may seem slow, love to go on hikes, so they need a lot of space in the apartment. Keeping them exclusively in a terrarium is not suitable for them. These animals also need a paddock where they can bask, burrow and climb things.

A general rule of thumb for determining the size of a terrarium for a particular turtle is to multiply the length and width of its body by five. The larger the animal, the longer and wider should be its terrarium.

When thinking about furnishing a terrarium for a turtle, the following points should be considered:

• The bottom of the terrarium must be covered with a suitable substrate that must not be dusty, otherwise it may irritate the turtle’s respiratory tract. Wood mulch or pine bark will do. They can be supplemented with hay or leaves. Some species of turtles will happily burrow into them.
• Turtles love to splash around in water containers, so clean water must be provided in the terrarium (the turtle will also drink it). Water should be in such a container that it can be easily and quickly replaced with fresh liquid. The size of the drinker should match the size of the turtle.
• In the terrarium, it is necessary to make a sufficient number of places for hiding – in the wild, turtles look for secluded places to sleep and rest.
• It is also important to equip a convenient feeder – turtles usually eat in one place. You need to plan a corner in the terrarium, and put fresh food for your pet there daily.

In their natural habitat, turtles live alone, so they do not need special partnership in breeding. However, they can be successfully kept as a pair or in a small group. When breeding together, the sex of the animals must be taken into account. Several males may begin to compete with each other. A group of one male and several females will bring perfect harmony to the terrarium.

Some turtles become lethargic in winter and wake up only when it becomes warm again. You should not worry about this if the animal is not sick and does not require, for example, regular medication. Three months before the onset of the winter period, the turtle should be examined for the presence of parasites.

During the winter, turtles should be provided with appropriate conditions in the terrarium. For example, about a month before likely lethargy, the lighting time of the terrarium should be reduced to about 4 hours a day. At this time, the temperature inside the terrarium should be lowered. During this cold period, turtles eat less, and eventually stop eating completely.

During this three to five month sleep, depending on the species, the tortoise should be awakened up to two times to make sure it is all right.

Many aquatic turtles are also suitable for terrarium keeping. Of course, for a turtle, the terrarium must be properly prepared. In summer, some species can also be kept in a garden pond; they can only winter in an apartment.

Of course, turtles in a terrarium need water. They should have hiding places, as well as a piece of land. Aquatic turtle aquarium should be equipped with rocks, twigs, floating islands or non-toxic plastic plants. Filters and bubblers, which are indispensable equipment in such an aquarium with turtles, will take care of the freshness, aeration and purity of the water. The heater will raise the water temperature to the most suitable for the species.

What to feed a domestic turtle

Land tortoises are herbivores. Their natural menu includes greens, vegetables and fruits. Many plants from gardens and meadows will add variety to the turtle’s diet and will be eaten by it very willingly. Occasionally, a turtle can be given vegetables, even less often fruits – due to the high sugar content, you should be careful in this matter and treat fruits as a treat for a pet, and not as a regular meal.

Although turtles also eat hay, they prefer fresh food. Also in winter, you should give them greens or salads. Due to the high risk that supermarket-bought salad may be treated with pesticides, it is recommended to choose greens and vegetables that are 100% organic.

To provide the required amount of calcium in the turtle’s diet, it should be given eggshells, crushed calcium, or cuttlefish bones.

Turtles need different food. They should be fed primarily live food – snails, earthworms, grasshoppers. The aquatic turtle’s diet may also include river fish (such as smelt), small mice or rats, cockroaches, centipedes, or shellfish meat. Plants should also be added to the turtle’s diet: duckweed or water lily leaves. Cuttlefish bones as turtle food will provide the appropriate amount of calcium in the diet, which will ensure good shell condition. Whole fish is also useful as a source of calcium.

How long turtles live

A person who decides to keep a turtle at home should take into account that some species of small land turtles live up to 70 years, medium ones – up to 120! Aquatic turtles live relatively less, but they are also kind of long-lived among domestic animals – they can live up to 30-40 years, depending on the species.

Where to buy a domestic turtle

It is advisable to purchase a turtle directly from the breeder, always from a place that has confirmation of the legal origin of the animal. From the breeder, you can immediately learn everything about the necessary care for this species, suitable nutrition and conditions of detention. In addition, the knowledge of a specialist can be useful at a later stage of breeding a pet – if there are questions or doubts, he will give advice.

When deciding to have a turtle at home, you must also take into account the fact that you will have to spend a lot on equipping a place for it. At a minimum, you will need a terrarium or aquarium with a lamp, heater, filter, and other equipment suitable for the species.

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Turtle at home | My pets

Turtle as a pet

Do you like pets? No, we are not talking about cats and dogs, and not even about rodents and birds, but about . .. turtles. How about such an exotic pet in your home? But, before you decide whether to keep or not, let’s find out with you about the features of keeping exotic turtles at home. Only after that it will be possible to consider that our decision is informationally justified and confirmed.

Types of exotic turtles

Before you have this creature in your home, you will need to know that there are several types of turtles. And, depending on what kind of animal you are going to start, care for it will also depend.

So, the most common variant are freshwater turtles, represented by red-eared turtles or Central Asian land turtles. At a young age, red-eared turtles have a bright color (yellow or red spots on the ears) and a plastron with blurry patterns, but over time, such “airbrushing” darkens and the turtle acquires a calmer color. As for the behavior of such turtles, they are quite nimble and active by turtle standards, they are not afraid of low temperatures and do not hibernate. Like many aquatic turtles, the red-eared turtles grow rapidly, and in 5 years of their life in your home, a turtle with a shell diameter of 5 centimeters can turn into a large turtle – the shell diameter of which is 30 centimeters or more. So, take this fact into account when purchasing a crumb and be prepared for the fact that from time to time you will need to take care of expanding the terrarium.

And, here are the Central Asian tortoises, those at a young age are painted in calmer tones, which practically do not change throughout the life of a tortoise. They grow slower, and their size is also smaller. Their movements are slow, however, if the room is hot, the turtle begins to behave more actively. And, in their terrarium, such turtles will behave restlessly, therefore, when installing their terrarium – remember this – it will be better if it stands on a stable and even surface so that the violent turtle does not inadvertently turn it over.

How to choose a turtle

Turtles grow fast

When choosing a turtle as a pet, first of all, pay attention to the behavior of the animal – it is like a litmus test of a turtle’s health. Do not forget about the external examination – the shell should be without cracks, there should be no spots on the skin of the turtle, the mucous membranes of the oral cavity should be light pink, saliva should not be viscous, breathing should be silent, there should be no secretions from the mouth and nose .

By choosing a healthy animal, you will save yourself from disappointment that you just got used to the animal, created comfortable living conditions for it, but it got sick and died.

Going for a turtle – do not forget to take a container in which you will transport it home. For land specimens, a cardboard box with cut out holes is suitable, and for aquatic individuals, a glass jar. Transporting an aquatic turtle in a plastic bag filled with water is strictly prohibited.

Before purchasing a turtle, you must set up a terrarium for it. Be sure to make sure that it is spacious and comfortable enough. Land turtles in such a terrarium should have a shelter-house, and water turtles should have an island on which they could rest from the aquatic environment.

Why you should not buy exotic species of turtles

And, although it is not so easy to buy an exotic turtle, some fans of this species still manage to find a real exotic, bring it into their home, have time to brag to their friends, and then … bury poor creature. The fact is that if this is your first time getting an animal of this species, and you have not had such experience before, you need to choose the option of a pet that is as adapted as possible for home living. It is easier to care for him, and these creatures are more unpretentious. While some exotic species require special conditions of detention, which are not so easy to create in an apartment and terrarium. As a result, the animal suffers and suffers, starts to get sick and dies. In addition, exotic species of turtles are more selective in terms of diet, they need a special temperature and humidity. In a word, exotic is too troublesome and unreliable. Therefore, if you are not a fan of this species and not an experienced tortoise hunter, you should not buy into the persuasion of sellers and an exotic unusual type of pet.

What do tortoises eat

tortoises

Of course you will have to feed your new pet. And, his health will depend on the correctness of the diet. Therefore, remember the basic rules regarding feeding tortoises. They can be given fruits, berries, vegetables, grass, tree leaves, meat, low-fat cottage cheese, boiled eggs, oatmeal soaked in water. Such turtles are not averse to eating beetles and snails (garden and without a shell). The mode and frequency of nutrition, as well as the size of portions, depends on the age of the turtle. So, young individuals eat daily, while turtles older than a year can eat every other day, but in large portions, and mainly plant foods.

What aquatic turtles eat

The diet of aquatic turtles is vegetable food, mineral supplements, and special vitamins. True, given the peculiarity of the habitat – water, make sure that the remnants of food do not float in the water and do not start to rot in it. This will lead to the fact that the water becomes cloudy, and harmful microorganisms begin to develop in it. Therefore, it is better to feed the water turtle on an island of land, or do it with tweezers – when the turtle sticks its head out of the water – you can offer it its favorite treat – meat, vegetables and fruits, boiled eggs and gammarius.

How to find out the sex of a turtle

You probably want to know if your terrarium is male or female. Well, if the pet store didn’t tell you about this, then you and I will have to try to determine the sex of the animal ourselves. And, we will focus on the length of the tail – in males it is long and wide at the base, while in females it is shorter. Similarly, males have longer claws and a flat plastron, while females have short claws and a convex plastron. You can also try to determine the sex of the iris, but much depends on the type of turtle. Ideally, by comparing several individuals, you can almost accurately determine their gender, while focusing on the appearance of one turtle, you can make a mistake.

Do turtles need UV

Experienced turtle breeders at home talk about the need for UV exposure of our turtles. True, it is necessary to use low-power ultraviolet lamps for such spa procedures, starting with a short exposure time, gradually increasing it. Also keep an eye on your pet’s behavior – if the turtle behaves restlessly – it may be too “hot”, and burns may even appear on the turtle’s skin later, therefore, check the lamp power, or interrupt the session of ultraviolet therapy.

Does a turtle need a mate

Many turtle breeders are interested in the question – are turtles sociable animals, and do they need company? In other words, does it make sense to have not one, but several turtles, so that they are not bored. In principle, if you are not going to professionally breed these animals, the turtle in your terrarium can live in splendid isolation. If you are seriously thinking about the turtle business, then start not 2, but 3 individuals, of the same age and size – 2 females and 1 male. It is not worth starting 2 males, as they will conflict over the territory and for the female. As for aquatic turtles, it is better to keep them separately and bring them together only for mating, as they can behave aggressively towards each other in their daily lives.

If you notice that the animals start to conflict – do not allow turtle wars and bloodshed – seat them in different terrariums.

By the way, if you already had a turtle living in a terrarium and you bought a new one or a new one, don’t rush to put him or her in an old-timer’s house. First, a 2-month quarantine of isolation of the animal must pass, and only if the turtle feels normal, you can add it to another individual.

Terrarium features

We have already said that the terrarium should be spacious and comfortable enough for your pet to feel comfortable in it. For land turtles, you can choose a terrarium made of plexiglass, for aquatic turtles, glass or plastic (but not toxic). In principle, today in pet stores there is a large selection of such houses for turtles, so you will definitely be able to find the most optimal option in terms of cost and comfort, in which you will be able to create the necessary indicators of temperature, humidity and light for your turtle. As for the life of a land turtle outside the terrarium, despite the fact that some owners of such turtles practice this method of pet existence, it is better not to keep a turtle in such conditions. Firstly, the probability of damage or injury is too high, drafts will also not add health, the animal may get confused or stuck among the furniture, catch a cold on the cold floor. In addition, chemical cleaners for turtles are contraindicated, and since you use them during cleaning, the animal can get poisoned …

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