Care Sheet for TortoisesAverage Rating Given To This Care Sheet Is 4.00 (1=lowest, 5=highest) Last Updated: 07/19/2005 |
Main Category: | Aquatic/Land |
Sub Category: | Tortoises |
Care Sheet Submitted By: | Gasgano |
Years Experience: | 3 to 5 Years |
Species: | Red eared slider/red eared terapin |
Other Species or Phases this Care Sheet May Cover: | N/A |
Sexing and Characteristics: | Females will be less colorful. Their nails will be shorter than the males. Their bottom of there shell will be completely flat. The males will me more colorful. Their nails will be very long. The bottom of their shells will be slightly concave.(This is used to mount the female)Just a warning that baby turtles might carry a Disease called Salmonella |
Mostly Active During: | Day |
Substrate and Water Needs: | Gravel will be fine, just make sure you have large pieces so that during feeding the turtle doesn’t accidentally eat them. Water must be ph 6-neutral.The ph mustn’t be to hard or the turtle will develop an eye disease which is extremely hard to cure. |
Lighting and UVB: | A basking light is required.UVB must me set up in order for your turtle to be healthy. |
Temperatures and Humidity: | The temperature of the water should be about 25-27 degrees Celsius.The outside temperature should be about 24-26 degrees Celsius.Make sure you also have a cold spot in the tank so your pet doesn’t over heat.If you get the temperature right don’t worry about humidity. |
Heating and Equipment: | To heat the water an aquarium heater must be used.50-100 watts should be strong enough Make sure the heater is protected as when the turtle is bigger it will destroy the glass of the heater in its robust movements. No air pump is needed, as the turtle will take oxygen from the air. A strong filter will be needed for 2 reasons. Help clean the take, as these are messy creatures. To create a current to mimic the wild to make your pet feel more at home. |
Caging Provided: | My turtle is currently in a 1,2 meter tank(48 inches)Which is fine to host a single species. If you want to host a pair or more a recommend 2 meters and bigger(80 inches plus)When these turtles are babies a 24 inch is fine but as they grow extend the tank. A thing that you must know is that these types of turtles grow to the size of their environment if you keep them as babies in a small tank you WILL stunt its growth. These is a cruel act as they will not reach there full size. A friend of mine kept his red eared slider in a 12 inch tank. It only grew to the size of about 2inches,which I believe is not natural. My turtle is in a big tank and is now 25cm.He is not his full size as he will get to max 40cm. Also an important fact is to keep these guys you must have a dry section as well. So he can come out and bask. If you don’t do this your turtle will become ill and die. |
Diet: | Omnivorous |
Description of Diet: | Hence above these guys are omnivores.When they are young feed them aquarium plants and lettuce. You can also purchase special dry pellets made for turtles. When they are older they will eat Almost anything.Things they eat are: aquarium plants and lettuce special dry pellets floating weed cucumber. Then the carnivorous stuff: Crickets , Bloodworms Ox heart pieces of meat and yes….Pinkies every now and then when they are big enough. |
Supplements, Nutrition and Usage: | If you feed you turtle a good all round diet of food he will be very healthy and there will be no need for vitamins and calcium as he will get it in all the vegetables etc |
Maintenance: | Replace the tanks water every week, but once a month clean the gravel and rinse the dry area in order to prevent the spread of disease.
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Some Words on this Species: | Through all the trouble you go through to make your pet happy it really is a rewarding animal to have. Very active and dun to watch. Just be careful because it might mistake your finger for food….and well you don’t want that to happen. Very attractive species and gets a lot of attention from visitors. |
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