How can I tell how old my red eared slider turtle is?
There’s no definitive method to know the exact age, but certain signs help make an educated guess. The size and color of the carapace, the number of rings in the turtle’s belly, and examining the size of the claws can help to find out a Red-eared slider turtle’s tentative age.
How big is a 2 year old red eared slider?
A pet Red Eared Slider can be as long as 12 inches at most….Red Eared Slider Growth Chart:
Age | Size |
---|---|
1 year | 5 inches long (approx.) |
2 year | 6 inches long (approx.) |
3 year | 7 inches long (approx.) |
4 year | 8 inches long (approx.) |
How do you tell if a red eared slider is a boy or girl?
Determining the gender of a red-eared slider turtle relies on a few key signs. Male sliders have long front claws, a dip in the bottom of their shell, and a thick tail. Females have short claws, a thin tail, a cloaca that is close to the body, and they are bigger.
When does a red eared slider become an adult?
A young red eared slider is called a hatchling if it is less than six months old, whereas it would be called a juvenile for six months to two years of age. After reaching the two year milestone, your red eared slider will be an adult.
What should a 2 year old red eared slider eat?
One important thing that you have to keep in mind is that younger Red Eared sliders, usually those under 2 years, will rarely eat something else besides meat. Even if they are omnivorous as adults, baby Red Eared sliders tend to be carnivorous. So don’t worry if your baby Red Eared slider refuses to eat fruits or vegetables.
How did the red eared slider get its name?
Red-Eared Sliders don’t actually have ears, well, at least not in the way we’re accustomed to! With no outer ear, these turtles rely solely on a middler inner ear structure for their auditory needs. They simply received their name due to the common red mark that sits right about where one might imagine an outer ear should be.
How often does a red ear slider turtle hibernate?
During the winter Red Eared sliders hibernate, this means that they will usually be inactive for 3 to 5 months per year. During the time that they hibernate, turtles don’t grow at all.
What is the life cycle of a red eared slider?
Smaller species, such as box turtles (Terrapene carolina ssp.) and red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans), have wild life spans of 20 to 30 years, though occasional specimens live to be 50 or more.
How can I tell how old my red eared sliders are?
In general, you can estimate a red-eared slider turtle’s age by their size and coloring. Under 6 months of age: – Shell is less than 4 inches in length. – Very bright coloring. – Kelly green colored shell with some yellow markings. 6-12 Months of age: – Shell is less than 4 inches in length. – Slightly less intense coloring.
What do red eared slider turtles eat?
Living in the wild, red eared slider turtles feed on aquatic vegetation, little fish, and material that is decaying such as frogs and dead fish. The young turtles are mainly carnivorous and become more omnivorous as they grow into adults.
Where can you buy red eared slider turtles?
The red-eared slider is one of the most common turtles found for sale in pet stores across the U.S. and overseas. In addition to finding them at local pet stores, you can purchase them at reptile shows or online.