All That You Need To Know About Petting a Red Eared Slider
Turtles are a great option to keep as a pet because of their quiet nature. There is a wide range of turtle species, some turtles grow very large, whereas some are more social as well as less aggressive. In general turtle species have different requirements for lighting, space, and diet.
Here we list down all that you need to know about the Red eared slider and how it makes a better pet for you.
How to make sure your Red Eared Sliders live long?
It is essential to take good care of your turtle if you want to increase its life. Here are some ways to care for them better and ensure that they live longer.
Heat
The turtle species needs warm weather to survive. Their health starts to suffer if they do not get adequate warmth. A temperature between75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal for the turtle. The basking dock should be somewhere between 85 to 95 Fahrenheit. It is best to check the temperature of the water with a thermometer. If the temperature falls, add a basking light or any other heating device to keep the turtle comfortable.
Light
A full spectrum UV light is essential over the aquarium to mimic natural sunlight. The light should be left on for 10 or 12 hours per day.
Substrate
The substrate is the material that is used at the bottom of the aquarium. It mimics the natural environment for the turtle and also offers an aesthetic effect to your aquarium. It also lets the animal burrow into. When using a substrate, pick rocks and gravel that the turtle cannot ingest.
Food and Water
The Red Eared Sliders eat vegetables and animal protein that includes dried shrimp, leafy greens, crickets, and krill. You may want to feed commercial turtle food to your pet that offers complete nutrition. To maintain health, check out with the veterinarian about the amount of food that you should feed.
Common Health and Behavior Problems
Watch out if the Red Eared Sliders develop any gastrointestinal parasites. The signs are poor appetite and abnormal faeces. Turtles are also prone to develop respiratory infections, which happens when the habitat is cold. You can easily spot it when you notice the turtle breathing open mouth, and sneezing. The turtle could also develop ulcers, and the shells may rot. This happens when the habitat is unsanitary or in case, they are being fed an improper diet.
Watch out for any infections, and make sure to offer a clean and comfortable environment to your Red Eared Sliders to increase its life.
Points you should know if you have a Red Eared Sliders as pet:
- The Red Eared Sliders are one of the most popular species of aquatic turtles. They are friendly and social when compared to some of the other turtle species. These are widely available and also pretty active.
- The Red Eared Sliders are perfect to be kept indoors. You can also keep them in an outdoor environment to provide the proper cleaning, shelter, and warmth. The Red Eared Sliders grow to a decent size, and the tank needs to offer the right place for its growth and let it back. The turtle species also needs a good water filtration system and UV lightning as they create much mess.
- As compared to some of the turtle species, the Red Eared Sliders is expensive in terms of its dietary and housing requirements. With the right care, the lifespan of the red-eared slider usually is beyond 50 years of age.
- When the Red Eared Sliders are in the tank, they usually sit on one spot and bask in the light. When they move to the water, they start to race. These turtles are agile and powerful swimmers, and they make use of their webbed feet to move pretty fast in the water tank.
- The turtle species is not very territorial. If you have more than one turtle in your tank, you would want to educate about this species’ behavior. The Red Eared Sliders cohabitate with the other species without fighting. However, make sure to keep it with turtles of a similar size. If you own a few Red Eared Sliders turtle species together, you may spot them playing with each other and sometimes stacking on the tip of one another to bask in the light.
- An average Red Eared Slider can live around 20 to 50 years if properly taken care of. These turtles may also live to 70 years and above when in the wild, but they do not exceed beyond 50 years in captivity. Factors that contribute to the lifespan of this turtle species is the quality of care, which stands as the topmost. Also, it is essential to meet the distinctive needs of this turtle. If these needs are not catered to, the turtle could suffer from diseases and poor health.
FAQ’s
- What is the most definite trait that you observe in the Red Eared Sliders?
The Red Eared Sliders has a patch of red right behind its eyes. This is what gives the turtle its name. The patch could stretch to many inches behind the head. Some species have some red on top of their head too.
- Do turtles spread diseases?
Turtles may carry salmonella and some pathogens that can spread to humans. This should not be something to worry about unless you have children or people compromised on immunity at home. However, you need to be aware of some risks and ensure that you take proper precautions. The key is to wash your hands before and after you touch the turtle or its habitat.
