Caring For Your Red Eared Slider Turtle

When considering how to house your red eared slider, you have several choices, such as: aquarium, outdoor pond, or an indoor pond. Your slider will need ample space in any of these habitats, and a good number to keep in mind is 6 gallons of space per inch of turtle. You will need appropriate equipment, like a filter (mechanical and/or biological), submersible heater, UV light, and a basking area light.

Young sliders are primarily carnivorous, while adults tend to eat more plant matter. Variety is important when choosing what to feed your pet. You can feed your slider prepared pellets, but be sure to include other nutrient sources, including: guppies, minnows, earthworms, mealworms, crickets, kale, romaine lettuce, carrots, squash, and very occassionally fruit like strawberries and banana. Sliders should also be provided with extra calcium in the form of cuttlebone or as a powder added to the food.

Sliders need very clean, warm water in order to be healthy. If in a tank, the tank should be cleaned often, and the old water removed and replaced with new, warm water. When filling an aquarium, the water should be at least as deep as the width of the widest turtle's shell. If you ever need to scrub down your turtle's tank, you can use vinegar and water. NEVER use bleach or soap, as any residue left behind will kill your slider.

It is a good idea to do weekly water testing of your slider's home. Tests for PH, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels are helpful to monitor any water quality changes, as fluctuating PH and readable levels of ammonia and nitrite can kill your turtle. These test kits can be easily purchased at aquarium stores. Also be sure to monitor the temperature of your slider's water, as large changes in temperature can harm your pet.

It is difficult to tell a slider's gender until it is around five years old. Females are usually larger than males. Another way to tell is by the size of the claws and tail. Males have both longer claws and tail, while the female's claws and tail are barely visible.

Occassionally handling your slider is okay. Too much interaction can cause your slider to become scared and it may bite or scratch you if it feels threatened. When holding your pet, don't just grab its shell, but be sure to firmly support it by holding its underside. All turtles can potentially carry salmonella, so be sure to wash your hands thoroughly whenever you have contact with your slider.

If you want to discover more about caring for your red eared slider, or about feeding your turtle, housing your pet whether indoors or outdoors, and more, then take a look at this Turtle Guide Book. It's a thorough guide that should answer all your questions on caring for your red eared slider.

All images are licensed under Creative Commons.

Turtle #1. Flickr
Turtle #2. Flickr