THE KEEPING AND CARE OF THE
RED EAR SLIDER TURTLE
(Trachemys scripta elegans)
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Adult red ear sliders normally reach 5 to 8 inches
Long
Males are smaller then females, when adult the male has longer fore
claws and longer tails.
If kept under the proper conditions red ear sliders often live to
fifteen to twenty five years sometimes even longer.
Basic Requirements
1. An appropriate size container
2. Clean Water
3. An area where the turtle can leave the water to dry out and bask
4. A heat source
5. Proper diet
Water height - Red ear sliders require enough water that lets
them swim. Keep the water level at least as deep as the length of the turtles
shell. The water level can be much deeper but provide a graded access to
the basking area
Water Temperature - water should be kept at 82 - 85 degrees.
Diet - Commercial diets include floating fish diets, turtle and reptile
pellets you can also supplement these with earthworms, beef heart or cut
pieces of cooked chicken , Tender Vittles (cat food), canned
low fat high quality dog food, finely chopped mixed vegetables. Also add
some Romain Lettuce to the tank to allow them to graze on it.
Use meats sparingly as turtles are mostly herbivores.
Turtles require
heavy amounts of Calcium to promote shell hardness
and
growth, always provide a Calcium Block for them to nibble on.
Salmonellosis
- Turtles are pro-ported to carry a diseasee called Salmonella as does
raw chicken, pork, eggs and most other foods. Most turtles breed for the
trade are bred and raised in scientifically
disease free environments.
To prevent the possibility of infection
make sure your household follows the following rules:
1. After handling a turtle, thoroughly wash your hands with an antiseptic
scrub.
.
Make sure your children follow this rule.
2. Do not put your hands in your mouth while handling turtles.
3. Never kiss a turtle. Let children know that there are organisms that
live in
the turtles water that can make them very sick.
Disclaimer: Pursuant to
Federal regulations, Turtles under 4" in carpice length are
sold Domestically for Export, Educational, Scientific or Exhibitian purposes
only. Export orders must supply import license.
Informational Compiled by Jay Hecker, AS, CFFS, CRS
© copyright, 2003 SMTFH no part of this
page or photographs may be used without permission