This will allow them time to prepare themselves if necessary. The red eared slider turtle is an omnivorous animal that likes to eat small fish, aquatic vegetation, and even decaying materials in the wild. How to care for a red eared slider turtle with pictures. Care of red eared slider this turtle species is from north america and are one of the most common aquatic turtle species sold as pets. She has been gone quite a bit, and left instructions to feed him the turtle pellets every 23 days, and add water to his tank as needed. After taking a look at him this week, im extremely concerned that this type. I am not sure what is going on but my red ear slider has a few broken nails. Habitat indoor turtle tank setups and other indoor.
Probably no other turtle has been kept as a pet by more people than the red eared slider. If youre looking to get a pet turtle, consider a red eared slider turtle. Description of red ear slider turtle red eared sliders are a mediumsized freshwater turtle, generally 125200 mm long, but can grow up to 350 mm long. Numerous studies provide evidence that redeared slider turtles can outcompete native turtles for food and nesting and basking sites. Redeared sliders have been introduced to many areas of the united states outside of their native range, as well as to other countries and are listed as one of the worlds worst 100 invasive species. Redeared slider turtle trachemys scripta elegans petmd.
Red eared slider care sheet by vin ma red eared sliders come by their common name for two reasons. When cared for properly, the redeared slider can live up to 30 years. I have a goldfish turtle pond that consist of 5 goldfish and 2 red eared sliders. If you live in one of those states please check out the yellow belly turtles that we sell as an alternative turtle. Thank you so much i learned a lot now i know how to take care of my turtle. Today were going over red eared slider and painted turtle care and some of the specific details of how to care for them. Originally a native of warm climates, these semiaquatic turtles love to bask in the sun when they arent foraging for food. Redeared sliders are one of the most common pet turtles. General care discussion taking care of your turtles overall health. They also need clean water, so expect to change their water and clean their filters roughly once a week. There are many considerations to address before you bring one of these tiny creatures.
Red eared slider adults have a dark brown to olive colored carapace top shell, with a yellow, patterned plastron belly shell. Red ear slider turtle facts on red eared turtles duration. Redeared sliders are hearty omnivores, but they have to be nice and warm in order to feed. They are fun to watch, feed, and believe it or not, interact with.
As with all pets, they come with their own set of care needs. Jul 29, 2016 how to care for a red eared slider turtle. Once housed properly they are quite easy to care for, and with the proper care these turtles can live 75 years or more, so turtle ow nership is not a commitment to be taken lightly. On top of feeding your turtle a healthy diet, make sure you have a uv lamp thats greater than 5% near its tank so it gets the vitamins and heat it needs. Red ear slider turtle care sheet pet turtles and more.
Will reach adult size in 12 to 18 months under ideal conditions. If youre looking to get a pet turtle, consider a redeared slider turtle. Red eared sliders have been introduced to many areas of the united states outside of their native range, as well as to other countries and are listed as one of the worlds worst 100 invasive species. The pets that marked the 20th century 104,575 views. Necessary emergency supplies for your red eared slider. Be sure to check out all the other turtle and tortoise products from makers like zoo med, zilla, exoterra, fluker and other known manufactures. Red ear slider turtles are known for their great personalities and make the perfect turtle for any pond. What if a red eared slider turtles shell is really soft and. It is the most popular pet turtle in the united states and is also popular as a pet across the rest of the world. Res may not be a native species where you are, but able to survive. Sliders have a strong, sturdy and jagged beak that they use to eat plant matter and smaller aquatic animals. The following tips will help you keep your redeared slider safe and healthy. How to care for my redeared sliders during winters quora. The slider portion of their name comes from their ability to quickly slide into the water.
It is also the most popular breed of pet turtle in the us and is widely kept as pet around the world. The complete care guide for your red ear slider turtle for free. Considering the total number of turtles and tortoises traded globally, this breed is the most commonly. Female redeared slider turtles lay 2 23 eggs per clutch in a cavity dug out.
The section on breeding is a little more extensive than in other intro books. Red eared sliders are easily maintained in captivity in aquaria of moderate depth. I am not sure what is going on he is inthe tank all by himself. My turtles love the pond, on warm days thy like coming out of the water and. The ideal water temperature for sliders to feed in is somewhere in the upper 70s 2426 degrees celsius. A good place to start is a commercial turtle diet that will provide adequate nutrition for growth and overall health. As for feeding this breed of turtle is not picky at all and will tend to beg for food. Probably no other turtle has been kept as a pet by more people than the redeared slider. This subspecies is native to the mississippi valley region, ranging west into texas. Redeared slider turtles are considered a significant threat to native turtle species they mature more quickly, grow larger, produce more offspring and are more aggressive.
Once available habitat is found the species can rapidly colonise a new area. Turtle talk caring for your redeared slider turtle. Redeared slider turtles need more care than most pets, so think twice before letting one capture your heart. The pets that marked 20th century red ear slider duration. Breeding because of the pet trade and mass production of red eared slider turtles, it is not recommended to breed red ear sliders.
Redeared slider trachemys scripta elegans is a nonnative species, now widely distributed in maryland due to frequent irresponsible releases of pet turtles. Red ear slider turtle care, where to buy, types, behavior, cost, handling, husbandry, diet, and much more included. She is fairly easy to take care of because shes an aquatic turtle and just swims all day. Therefore, you can feed your turtle a variety of foods. Caring for your redeared slider takes work and time but is well worth the effort. The most common turtle found in home aquariums, red eared sliders are great pets for both novice and experienced turtle keepers. Im 18 and i still have a hard time walking by her tank because she will beg every time lol. A fullgrown red eared slider can reach 12 inches in length. Please be advisedno red ear slider turtles will be shipped to anyone in the following states florida, virginia, georgia, massachusetts, maine or oregon. Red eared sliders are bad pets for most people pet turtles duration. Jul 10, 2019 red eared slider turtles get their name from the red stripes located near their ears. Top 10 donts in caring for a red eared slider turtle.
They are strong swimmers but also like to spend most of the day basking in the sun. They belong to the pond turtle family, emydidae, and. Care for a red eared slider turtle red eared slider. Do not separate turtles from water, turtles survive on land for short period of time but water is a must. Apr 28, 20 the pets that marked 20th century red ear slider duration. Compared to other aquarium creatures, red eared sliders require a relatively large amount of space. How to care for a baby red ear slider turtle animal hub. This easily adaptable pet prefers warm habitats, but can thrive in a large tank.
It is important that you vary your redeared sliders diet, feeding it a mix of vegetables, insects, meat, fish, and. List of vegetables and aquatic plants to feed to your turtles turnip greens kale water lettuce water lilly carrot romainredgreen leaf lettuce. Red eared sliders, also known as redeared terrapins, are among the most popular pet turtles in the world. The baby red ear slider turtle is a great beginner turtle as well as a fine tank mate to many other turtles and even fish. For instance, a drowned turtle may need oxygen and an injured turtle may need surgery. The department of environmental affairs dea has noted media reports where it is alleged that some people are illegally selling redeared slider turtles through the internet. The redeared slider, also called the redeared terrapin, is an american breed of turtles widely spread across the usa, and is quickly becoming an invasive species in many parts of the world. In oregon redeared sliders are illegal to buy, sell or possess. We found a baby red ear slider turtle in our driveway. With the right setup, redeared sliders can be pretty easy to take care of. Even the most general red ear slider care sheet will likely mention the importance of maintaining the correct temperature both ambient and basking for your turtle tank. Originating in north america, the red eared slider is named for the distinctive red streak on each side of its face.
As long as you know what youre doing and take good care of them, you should be able to keep redeared sliders. The redeared slider is one of the american turtle species trachemys species currently listed as category 1b in terms of the national environmental management. They typically have prominent red or maroon stripes along the side of the head, to the side of each eye. It is a medium sized turtle with a dark green oval shell, marked with yellow in younger turtles, green legs with thin yellow stripes and a. Redeared slider trachemys scripta elegansdescription the redeared slider is perhaps the best known and most recognizable of turtles. The red ear slider turtles are abandoned in big numbers by their keepers in india. The other three are big bend sliders, yellowbellied sliders, and cumberland sliders. General care discussion taking care of your turtle s overall health. Redeared slider turtle facts, habitat, diet, pet care, pictures. Redeared sliders occupy a variety of natural freshwater habitats, including streams, rivers, ponds, lakes, swamps, and marshes.
My collage age daughter has a red ear slider thats been at my home over the summer. Care for a red eared slider turtle red eared slider turtle. If youre interested in a lifelong friend, a redeared slider turtle makes a wonderful pet. Red ear slider turtles love to bask, so youll be able to observe them relaxing and sunning themselves on logs and rocks in your pond. It occurs widely in ponds, lakes, creeks and rivers with aquatic plants and a mud bottom. A good rule of thumb is that youll need about 10 gallons in tank size per inch of the turtles body length.
Learn how to keep your turtle happy and healthy with a warm habitat, clean water, and a proper diet. This book adequately covers the essentials of owning a turtle. The red ear slider turtle is a small freshwater turtle native to the mississippi valley in the southern united states. Make an easy turtle dock youtube turtle dock, turtle. This hardy species was perhaps one of the first turtles that stimulated the interests of many turtle hobbyists. Jan 06, 2020 to care for a red eared slider turtle, feed it a balanced diet that consists of 50 percent vegetables and water plants, 25 percent commercial foods, and 25 percent live protein. They naturally range from from the southcentral to southeastern u. We found the tank and stand for sale on craiglist and converted it from the previous owners marine setup. This is twice as important for baby turtles, which have a stricter, narrower temperature tolerance range than adult turtles. The redeared slider is the most popular pet turtle in the world. One thing missing from this book and others is a discussion of turtle behavior and sensory capability. In this video, we get to know the basic information of turtles and the consequences after abandoning a turtle.
Wide ranging turtle living in a variety of climates but sticking to slow moving rivers, humid habitats, and hot temperatures. The complete care guide for your red ear slider turtle for. Redeared slider turtle nsw department of primary industries. Red eared slider turtles basic tank set up youtube. With the right setup, red eared sliders can be pretty easy to take care of. Compared to other aquarium creatures, redeared sliders require a relatively large amount of space. Red eared sliders occupy a variety of natural freshwater habitats, including streams, rivers, ponds, lakes, swamps, and marshes. Sorry for late response, hope your turtles are doing well. Redeared sliders can grow up to 12 inches in length. They are a very popular breed of turtle due to their smaller size and lowmaintenance care requirements.
Red eared slider or red ear slider is semi aquatic turtle that resides in areas with fresh, calm and warm water source like ponds, marshes, streams and lakes. Redeared slider turtle facts, habitat, diet, pet care. What if a red eared slider turtles shell is really soft. This turtle has probably never had to hunt for its food and as such has never acquired the skills necessary to even survive in the wild. Red ear slider turtle information on the facts, habitat, food and lifespan of res turtles scientifically termed, trachemys scripta elegans, the res or red ear slider turtle is one of the four subspecies of a single species called the slider. Feeding and nutrition turtle diets and eating habits discussed here. My top 10 donts in caring for a red eared slider turtle. If it is an emergency, still call ahead to make sure your vet is there and let them know the type of emergency. Turtle tank 29 gallon setup for redeared slider duration. Marc morrone and guest zoey from sesame street talk about red ear slider turtles and how to care for them. Red eared slider care red eared slider turtle turtle care pet turtle turtle basking platform turtle dock fish pond gardens turtle homes turtle habitat.
Red eared slider turtle habitat huge freshwater aquarium. This a video that i made to help you see what is involved in setting up a red eared turtle tank and give some basic tips for taking care of them. The redeared slider is named for the redline running behind its eyes and the sliding motion it makes as it slips from a rock into the water. This species is native to the southeastern united states where the climate is warm most of the year. Watch more how to take care of a pet turtle videos. The red eared slider is primarily aquatic and will emerge from the water for basking. Let a turtle like this go and you condemn it to a slow death from starvation. Redeared slider turtle behavior martha stewart new this month. To care for a redeared slider turtle, feed it a balanced diet that consists of 50 percent vegetables and water plants, 25 percent commercial foods, and 25 percent live protein. Our largesized red ear slider turtles are energetic and greatlooking turtles that are perfect for any outdoor pond on. Red ear slider turtle information this species gets its name from the red stripe behind its eye, and its habit of sliding off rocks or logs into the water when it is startled. I just got my red ear slider and geographic map turtle they are in good. Size appropriately sized habitat, at least a 40 gallon breeder tank with a screened lid so the turtle. He looks like he has some kind of white fungus around the area where the nails should be.