How old does a red eared slider turtle get?
Growth then continues to about 12 to 13 inches, after which it is almost impossible to determine age by size alone. Examine your turtle’s front and back ends. After the age of 2, male red-eared sliders develop elongated claws and tails.
Is the red eared slider right for my family?
This is my red-eared slider, and, yes, his name is Puppy. Is a Turtle Right for My Family? That is the biggest question of all. If you honestly think your kid (s) won’t take care of it, then don’t get it.
How old is Charlie the red ear slider?
The turtle I have is named Charlie and he is 6 years old and 5 1/2 inches SCL now. Will he grow more? I need to upgrade his enclosure desperately. I want to get a 65g aquarium for him.
What to do about red eared sliders in pond?
Avoid goldfish and any red colored fish as they can cause a vitamin B deficiency. Also, float chunks of cuttlebone 24/7 as a great source of calcium. BE SURE to remove the clear, sharp, edge from the cuttlebone. Be careful as it is very sharp. It can cut a turtle and also cause them to choke.
The turtle I have is named Charlie and he is 6 years old and 5 1/2 inches SCL now. Will he grow more? I need to upgrade his enclosure desperately. I want to get a 65g aquarium for him.
When do Red Eared Sliders become full grown?
RES typically stop growing around 5-7 years of age, but they can stop growing soon or later depending on whether or not they had correct husbandry. Odds are he’s full grown or close to it. I’m sure he’d be happy with as much leg room as you can offer.
How can you tell if a red eared slider is male or female?
Females can keep growing as large as a dinner plate so just wondering if he is male or female. To tell, check the tail. Males have a much longer and thicker tail with the anus/vent/cloaca halfway between the tip of the tail and the shell edge. They generally have longer front claws to grip the female while mating.
Avoid goldfish and any red colored fish as they can cause a vitamin B deficiency. Also, float chunks of cuttlebone 24/7 as a great source of calcium. BE SURE to remove the clear, sharp, edge from the cuttlebone. Be careful as it is very sharp. It can cut a turtle and also cause them to choke.
Is the red eared slider turtle an invasive species?
Red-Eared Slider Turtle. The Red-Eared Slider, also called the red-eared terrapin, is an American breed of turtles widely spread across the USA, and is quickly becoming an invasive species in many parts of the world. It is also the most popular breed of pet turtle in the US and is widely kept as pet around the world.
What should I Feed my red eared slider turtle?
Lianne is a veterinarian, epidemiologist, and freelance writer who’s written nearly 400 articles for The Spruce Pets. Red-eared sliders need a diet that is a mixture of both animal and plant materials. Young red-eared sliders eat more animal protein, so babies should start with a diet that’s more on the carnivorous side. 1
What kind of behavior does a red ear slider turtle have?
Behavior and Temperament. The red-eared slider is almost completely aquatic. Although harmless and peaceful, and are gregarious by nature, these turtles are extremely alert. They are territorial by nature. These creatures are cold-blooded and hence need to frequently come up in the land in groups for a warm-up.
Growth then continues to about 12 to 13 inches, after which it is almost impossible to determine age by size alone. Examine your turtle’s front and back ends. After the age of 2, male red-eared sliders develop elongated claws and tails.
Red-Eared Slider Turtle. The Red-Eared Slider, also called the red-eared terrapin, is an American breed of turtles widely spread across the USA, and is quickly becoming an invasive species in many parts of the world. It is also the most popular breed of pet turtle in the US and is widely kept as pet around the world.
When to call a red eared slider a hatchling?
If your red eared slider is of a particular age, then the shell will have varying distinguishable features. 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.
Behavior and Temperament. The red-eared slider is almost completely aquatic. Although harmless and peaceful, and are gregarious by nature, these turtles are extremely alert. They are territorial by nature. These creatures are cold-blooded and hence need to frequently come up in the land in groups for a warm-up.
Observing the turtle’s color is one of the easiest ways to gauge the age. When your Red-eared sliders are just hatchlings, they sport a dazzling color. It’s often Kelly green with light yellow markings. This shade lingers up to the age of six months to 1 year.
Is the red eared slider a good pet?
The red-eared slider is probably one of the most popular animals for people to buy, but they are usually not being properly taken care of and kept. And by that, I mean that people are buying them and they get rid of them because they eventually realize that turtles are not the most cuddling pet to have.
How often do red eared sliders hibernate?
But wild turtles have to deal with the weather and this means that they have to face the winter outside. 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’s the growth rate of a red ear slider?
In general, the growth rate of a red ear slider is affected by a lot of conditions like genetics, nutrition, and habitat conditions. But usually, they will grow at about 3 inches during their first year, and then around 1 inch per year in captivity. Similar to how red ear sliders will grow faster in captivity, they will also mature sexually faster.
Observing the turtle’s color is one of the easiest ways to gauge the age. When your Red-eared sliders are just hatchlings, they sport a dazzling color. It’s often Kelly green with light yellow markings. This shade lingers up to the age of six months to 1 year.
This is my red-eared slider, and, yes, his name is Puppy. Is a Turtle Right for My Family? That is the biggest question of all. If you honestly think your kid (s) won’t take care of it, then don’t get it.
But wild turtles have to deal with the weather and this means that they have to face the winter outside. 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.
In general, the growth rate of a red ear slider is affected by a lot of conditions like genetics, nutrition, and habitat conditions. But usually, they will grow at about 3 inches during their first year, and then around 1 inch per year in captivity. Similar to how red ear sliders will grow faster in captivity, they will also mature sexually faster.
How big of a tank do I need for a red eared slider?
First of all, you need to know how big a red-eared slider can actually get and at what pace is growing in size. A good rule of thumb when choosing the turtle tank size is to have about 10 gallons per inch of shell turtle, so for a red-eared slider that’s about 3 inches long, you should ideally put him in an at least 30-gallon turtle tank.
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 long does it take a red eared slider to get big?
Red-eared sliders grow quickly at first, reaching about 2 inches within the first year, but growth slows as they get older. Males become adults at 3 to 5 years of age, when they are about 4 inches long; females become adults at 5 to 7 years old, when they are 6 to 7.5 inches in length.
How could you tell the age of a red eared slider turtle?
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.
How can you tell if your red eared slider is sick?
Hints of illnesses in red-eared sliders are diverse, but it’s important to be aware of them. They include infrequent body motion, excessive bleeding, constipation, changes in the appearance of the stools, quivering and breathing irregularities.
Why are red eared sliders bad for the environment?
Turtles in the wild always remain close to water unless they are searching for a new habitat or when females leave the water to lay their eggs. Owing to their popularity as pets, red-eared sliders have been released or escaped into the wild in many parts of the world. This turtle is considered one of the world’s worst invasive species.
Why do red ear slider turtles need to be in deep water?
Because these turtles are cold-blooded, they need to come out of water from time to time. Hence, there should also be an area within, where the turtle can climb up easily from the water and bask. The tank must be deep, since the turtles love swimming in deep waters.
What to do with a red eared slider?
Adrienne Kruzer, RVT, has worked with a variety of animals for over 15 years, including birds of prey, reptiles, and small mammals. Caring for a red eared slider properly requires more than just a bowl with a little bit of water and a rock. Aquatic turtles, including red eared sliders, need much more in the way of housing and lighting.
How big of a tank do Red Eared Sliders need?
Small aquariums are good for young turtles but as red eared sliders mature they will require a tank that can hold well over 100 gallons of water. Creative turtle owners use all sorts of novel housing ideas to meet the roomy requirements of their red eared sliders using things like pre-formed plastic pond liners to make homes more like indoor ponds.
When does a red eared slider become sexually mature?
Males reach sexual maturity about the time their carapace (upper shell) length reaches 4 inches (10 cm), which tends to be anywhere from 2-5 years. Females become sexually mature about the time the carapace reaches 6-7 in (15-18 cm) in length, which can take up to 5-7 years.
What can I do to protect my red eared slider turtle?
Rough rocks can scratch the turtle’s shells creating a risk of infection. Create enough of an incline so the turtle can climb out easily, and position an overhead light over one corner of the haul-out area to provide the basking spot.
What kind of PET is a red eared slider?
Most pet sliders are captive bred and hatched. Red-eared sliders are hardy and outgoing.
How old is a red ear slider turtle?
Hi,I have a 4 year old red ear slider, and 2, 18 month old same kind, I live in Manteca California and I no longer can take take of them, they were my daughter’s but she moved to Texas and could not take them with her. They need a good home. I have two females red ear slider turtles that i cant have them no more.
How long do red eared sliders live in captivity?
These animals are long-term companions, as well-kept turtles can live in captivity for up to 50 years. That said, it can be difficult to determine the age of your slider if you don’t know when he hatched.
Why are red eared slider turtles getting sick?
People are ending up releasing them in local ponds or lakes which automatically makes them an invasive species in most states in the United States. Some try to rehome them but most of the turtles ultimately start getting sick and eventually die because people don’t know what a red-eared slider needs.
First of all, you need to know how big a red-eared slider can actually get and at what pace is growing in size. A good rule of thumb when choosing the turtle tank size is to have about 10 gallons per inch of shell turtle, so for a red-eared slider that’s about 3 inches long, you should ideally put him in an at least 30-gallon turtle tank.
Is it safe to hold a red eared slider?
Red-Eared Sliders are known to be carriers of salmonella, so hand-washing before and after holding is necessary to prevent spreading disease. Summary Keepers love these turtles for their high activity levels and beautiful yellow, green and red colors.
How did the red eared slider get its name?
This freshwater turtle was named for the thick red stripe behind each ear. Red-Eared Sliders ( Trachemys scripta elegans) are a subspecies of the Common Slider (Trachemys scripta) which is one of three North American Pond Sliders. Some other subspecies of the pond slider include the yellow-bellied slider and the Cumberland.
Is it fun to own a red eared slider?
Owning a turtle, such as a red-eared slider, can be a fun and rewarding experience. Many seasoned owners thoroughly enjoy the bond and level of interaction that they achieve with their pet turtle.
When does a red eared slider reach sexual maturity?
Male red-eared sliders reach sexual maturity when their carapaces’ diameters measure 10 cm (3.9 in) and females reach maturity when their carapaces measure about 15 cm. Both males and females reach sexual maturity at 5–6 years old.
