Turtle - Red Eared Slider

What to expect from your turtle. Red eared slider turtles usually grow up to about 12 inches in length. You can also expect a well cared for pet red slider turtle to live anywhere from 40 to 50 years. It is important to recognized this commitment when purchasing your turtle. Also, you will need an aquarium, tank or pond that is large enough for your turtle. A rule of thumb is to have 10 gallons of water for every inch of length your turtle is. For instance, if your turtle is 6 inches in length, count on having a 60 gallon aquarium or tank for it.

Housing your turtle. Red eared slider turtles require a great deal of room. As previously mentioned, you'll need a suitably sized aquarium, tank or pond for your turtle. In addition, you will need to provide UV lighting, a basking light, water heater, and a swimming area and a basking area. Housing a red eared slider is not cheap!

If you're keeping your turtle inside, make sure they have enough room. A 20-50 gallon aquarium should suffice for most red-eared sliders or box turtles. But, of course, if you have more than one make sure there is enough space for them to be comfortable. Also, make sure there is plenty of water and try to make it as pure as possible. Lighting is also important. Turtles need sunlight for vitamin production and proper bone growth. If the turtles don't get natural sunlight, buy a fluorescent light or other specially designed lights. These may be available at your pet store. Turtles need sunlight for proper bone growth and nutrition. Finally, keep out things that could harm the turtle if they eat it, as things like woods chips or other organic materials can be dangerous to your turtle's health. If your turtle is an outdoor turtle, you'll need to make sure they have a proper environment as well. See my lens below for more information on providing the proper habitat for your turtle.

Feeding your turtle. Red eared slider turtles are mainly herbivorous in the wild and they can be healthy living of a diet of vegetables such as carrots, lettuce or cabbage or fruits such as berries. You can also feed them earthworms or live insects such as spiders, crickets or beetles. Commercial turtle food is available if your turtle isn't getting all of the nutrients they need. But keep in mind that turtles can be picky eaters sometimes, so you'll have to find what works for your turtle. What you feed your turtle and how often you feed them (daily, every other day) depends on the type and age of your turtle.

There is a great deal of information out there on caring for your turtle. Red eared slider turtles require attention and care. There is plenty of good information out there on how to care for them. I've linked to my other lenses below. Check them out. They deal with building a pond for your pet turtle, housing your pet turtle, how to deal with a baby red eared slider and more. There's also a great guide out there that goes into more detail and is, in my opinion, essential to helping you learn how to properly care for your turtle. Go to www.turtlecaresite.com. I've linked to them below and I highly recommend their guide.