Care Sheet for TurtlesAverage Rating Given To This Care Sheet Is 3.91 (1=lowest, 5=highest) Last Updated: 02/14/2004 |
Main Category: | Aquatic/Land |
Sub Category: | Turtles |
Care Sheet Submitted By: | Elfomatic |
Years Experience: | 5 to 10 Years |
Species: | Red Earred Sliders |
Other Species or Phases this Care Sheet May Cover: | Painted turtles; map turtle care is similar. |
Sexing and Characteristics: | These turtles grow to be 12-16 inches in shell length when measuring the plasteron (underbelly). Females are larger than males. Males have long toenails which they use in a mating ritual to caress the females face. |
Mostly Active During: | Day |
Substrate and Water Needs: | Water should be heated and changed regularly. You should change out at least a couple of cup fulls of water regularly and the water should be completely changed out every 1-2 weeks even with a filter. Otherwise, you invite fungus and bacteria and a condition known as shell-rot which is characterized by large, white patches on the shell. Even if the water looks clean change it regularly.
Substrate is nice because they like to sift through it but it is not necessary. Remember, it will get dirty so unless you have the time to clean it don’t add it. |
Lighting and UVB: | These turtles need both a basking lamp with a basking rock and a UVB for D3 absorption. The UVB will need to be changed out every 6 mos. to a year even if the florescent bulb still works because the UVB aspect will wear off after that amount of time. |
Temperatures and Humidity: | Water temps should be set between 75-85 degrees with an underwater heater.
Basking spot temps should be between 85-90 degrees. Basking spots ARE necessary because your turtle needs some place to dry off to prevent infection. |
Heating and Equipment: | A water heater is required as well as a basking spot. Approved plants can be added. |
Caging Provided: | 20 gal. at least for hatchlings. If you have new hatchlings don’t let the water be too deep or they will drown. A general guideline is to make the water depth at least 1 1/2 as deep as the length of your turtle.
Larger turtles need larger setups. Start with the biggest you can because it is cheaper to do that then upgrading every six months as your turtle grows.
Full grown turtles really should be kept in an outdoor pond. |
Diet: | Omnivorous |
Description of Diet: | Commercial turtle pellets are available. They also love crickets and earthworms. Avoid beef as it is very fatty.
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Supplements, Nutrition and Usage: | A lot of people float cuddlebones as a calcium supplement. Or the little calcium turtles you can buy at the petstore. Don’t be afraid if you turtle takes big chunks out of it. It can’t harm it. |
Maintenance: | Regular water changing is a MUST even with filters. |
Some Words on this Species: | Remember, these guys get BIG. They live about 20 years. |
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