Keeping Red-Eared Slider Turtles as Pets

Environment and Care

Red-Eared Slider turtles require specific environmental conditions. Young slider turtles need ample room to swim. A 10 -20 gallon tanks is recommended. As the turtles get larger, their tank should get larger as well.  Red-Eared Slider turtles are native to warmer climates and therefore need warm water to live healthy. The turtles should be kept in water that is 75-86 degrees. Young and sick turtles should have even warmer water, but never above 90 degrees.

Red-Eared Slider turtles need an area to bask out of the water. A small beach, large rock, or floating docking area will provide this basking area for the turtles. They also enjoy having plenty of room to swim, which is usually a depth of about twice their body length. Red-Eared Slider turtles naturally live in areas with water vegetation. Plants, real or fake, give the turtles a place for shelter and a more natural environment.

Along with the water temperature, it is important to keep the air temperature stable. A reptile heat lamp gives the turtles ample light and keeps the temperature warm and stabilizes water temperature. Keeping the water clean and changed often also ensure better health.

Diet

Red-Eared Slider turtles have a fairly diverse diet. As babies, and young turtles they require a larger amount of protein. As they get older their diet becomes more vegetable based. Reptile pellets are inexpensive and provide good nutrients for Red-Eared Slider turtles, but they should only make up approximately 20 percent of their diet.

A diet with calcium is very good for the turtles shell health and strength. Live fish, shrimp, crickets, snails and wax worms are also great protein sources for Red-Eared Slider turtles.  These live meals will also keep them active and happy. Red-Eared Slider turtles see in all colors so a colorful and wide variety of food is best.

Behavior

Red-Eared Slider turtles are fairly active semi-aquatic turtles. They spend most of their time in the water other than when basking. Red-Eared Slider turtles are good swimmers and are actually quick animals despite common beliefs about turtles. They are also great hunters, which is why they like live food. Their nature as a hunter also makes them aggressive. If in a tank with other young turtles, they will often compete for food and the smaller turtles will not get as much food.

If a Red-Eared Slider turtles isn’t eating or swimming around there could be a few different reasons for this. Turtles have the ability to fast for long periods of time, so sometimes they will fast for days. This could mean that they are unhappy with something in their environment or do not like their food. This could also mean that they are too cold. Either the water needs to be warmed up, or the turtle needs to bask before they are ready to eat.  Inactivity could also be due to cold temperatures. Cold water can cause them to begin to hibernate, or get sick. These turtles can be very shy so hiding from people is not uncommon.

Overall Red-Eared Slider turtles can be great family pets if cared for properly. They have been known to out live their owners. Once they are used to their environment they become friendly and sometimes even playful animals.