What happens when a red eared slider bites you?
The turtle’s bite is painful, but it’s not dangerous or poisonous. The bite does not cause any real damage, although it can hurt kids with tiny fingers. However, it’s better to leave the turtle alone if it appears fearful and threatened by you. It mostly happens when you bring it home for the first time.
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.
Why is the red eared slider a problem?
Because of their popularity as a pet, they are actually becoming a problem as an invasive species. Their primary danger as an invasive species is outcompeting native species for resources. Read on to learn about the red eared slider.
What kind of PET is a red eared slider?
Red Eared Slider. Red eared sliders, also known as red-eared sliders, or red-eared terrapins, are the most popular species of pet turtle. These common creatures are actually a subspecies of pond slider, and are native to the southern United States. Because of their popularity as a pet, they are actually becoming a problem as an invasive species.
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.
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.
What are the symptoms of a red eared slider turtle?
Moreover, watch out for gastrointestinal parasites in your red-eared slider. Symptoms include poor appetite and abnormal feces. These turtles also are prone to respiratory infections, especially if their habitat is too cold. Some signs of an infection are open-mouth breathing, sneezing, and excess mucus.
How much does a red eared slider turtle cost?
The average price for a red-eared slider in pet stores is around $20, but a quality breeder will likely charge a little more. Choose a turtle that is active and alert, and make sure it is eating.
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.
