I read they probably weren't viable so we got rid of them. If they can’t take your pet, they might refer you to someone who will. Why does my turtle sit at the bottom of the pen and never come up for air. (Some have been reported to live into their sixties!) We didn't know she was going to. In the southeastern United States, where they originate, they’re warmed by the sunny climate. Breeders know when she’s ready to lay because she will often stop feeding and become somewhat hyperactive. Stock tanks are available at farm supply, home supply, and pet supply stores. They’re specially formulated to meet your slider’s dietary needs, and can be supplemented with a variety of different foods. This is a great guide! If you buy a platform, be sure to consider how easy it will be to take it apart for cleaning. Red Ear Slider Hatching Timelapse. Observe the nest carefully for signs of hatching. Hatchlings and juveniles require considerably more protein than adults; adults need more plants. clutch consists of two to 23 eggs, with 10 being the average number. They belong to the pond turtle family, Emydidae, and species Trachemys scripta elegans. It's more than just a bowl with a little bit of water and a rock. The emphasis here is on variety. Red Eared Slider Turtle laying eggs on her nest. Thanks. Although they will drop them in the water, this is not a red eared slider's preferred way to lay eggs. Filters clean water in one of three ways: mechanically, biologically, or chemically. Try browsing the Turtles Index if you're looking for something specific. Red-eared sliders are opportunistic omnivores. Finally, check with family and friends. Adrienne Kruzer, RVT, has worked with a variety of animals for over 15 years, including birds of prey, reptiles, and small mammals. Finally, buy a heater that is encased in plastic, or be sure to place it where your turtle won’t accidentally break it. Not only is it more attractive, they’ll be happier and healthier if you do. To breed sliders, you’ll need to bring together a healthy and sexually mature pair of male and female sliders. Except for places along the shoreline where they like to bask in the sun, red-eared sliders have little need for land. Nests are dug well above water level, usually within 500 m … There is no way of telling, simply by looking at it, whether your turtle has the salmonella bacteria on its body or not. Use a screen to help prevent this from happening. A better option is to take responsibility for finding a suitable home for your slider to live. How many eggs do red eared slider turtles lay? Next, gently pull one of its legs. Your slider will tend to dig them up or eat them. Adstock / Universal Images Group / Getty Images. Or you can get a heat lamp. By law, pet store sliders should be no smaller than 4 inches long. Relevance. Casual breeding of red eared sliders isn't recommended but it is important to provide a nesting area for egg-laying females. Smith, Katrina. Many kinds of pets (including all reptiles, amphibians, hedgehogs, and more) carry salmonella and most people should have little reason to worry about contracting the bacteria. In many places, it is illegal to do so, and your slider could do lasting damage to the pond ecosystem. Casual breeding of ​red eared sliders isn't recommended but it is important to provide a nesting area for egg-laying females. A light fixture can be hung over the aquarium, or clamped onto it, but make certain that it cannot fall accidentally into the water. If nighttime temperatures fall below 65 °F, leave the light on at night. Try to create the most naturalistic habitat possible for your pet sliders. Unfortunately, live plants won’t last long. Some females will retain their eggs rather than dropping them in water if they do not have a nest and will become egg bound (a serious problem). If you are in the process of learning how to care for your red ear slider hatchling, you are probably already enthralled by the cute wonder of your new tiny pet. 1.How can I tell? If you are looking for red ear slider turtle for sale cheap then you would want the common red-eared slider babies for sale. Spray the vermiculite with water periodically to keep it moist until they hatch, normally in 55 to 65 days. Red eared sliders, also known as red-eared terrapins, are among the most popular pet turtles in the world. A healthy turtle will react strongly, whereas the reaction of a sick turtle will be less vigorous. You should expect to provide no less than a 55-gallon tank for an adult slider. Red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans) exhibit different reproductive tempos, depending on the environmental condition to which they are exposed. You can also use rocks, but know that they do pose some hazards. For a more utilitarian approach, it’s possible to construct basking platforms out of PVC pipes, plastic egg crates, and zip ties. Relevance. There are some key indicators to help you determine whether or not a red eared slider is healthy. A less costly approach is to use artificial plants. The cloaca, which is common to amphibians, birds, and reptiles, is a single opening to the genital, digestive, and urinary tracts. No matter what kind of setup you have, the procedure for changing out the water is pretty straightforward. You can improve your luck by examining the turtle first, preferably in the store (or breeder/dealer). In 1975, after a rash of salmonella outbreaks among children, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) began regulating the sale of turtles with carapace lengths less than 4 in long. If you’d like to grow plants for your slider to eat, you can do so. Unattractive as this may seem, it may be a more economical way to customize your design. The complicated nature of turtle care will create situations and considerations that do necessarily fall under the Basic Care section. My red ear slider laid 4 eggs two months ago in the water. For instance, you can take your turtle back to the pet store you bought it from. A siphon is basically a hose that you can drain your tank with. For many slider keepers, setting up your slider’s housing is one of the most satisfying, and creative, aspects of being a turtle owner. In the following sections, we’ll describe in more detail how to satisfy each of these requirements. Posted on Last updated: August 14, 2020 By: Author Brock Yates. Shell rot most often appears as a light spot on your turtle’s shell. Pump types vary. I read they probably weren't viable so we got rid of them. My wife and I want to get a pet turtle because we are both allergic to dog and cat hair. It would be very helpful to include nesting requirements for all female turtles, not just in the breeding section. 1. Larger turtles might need more padding because they can bruise during transport. Though red eared slider's tastes tend to change as they mature, (shifting to a more herbivorous diet as they get older) turtles of all ages should be offered a wide variety of both animal and plant based items. Some people don't find out they have a female until she starts laying eggs (females will lay infertile eggs without a male present). 2.What kind of sand do i put in the tank for her to lay her eggs in? Red eared sliders and Painted turtles to the Tortoise Trust, a gravid female without a nesting site will lay eggs one or two at a time over a period of weeks rather than lay the entire clutch simultaneously, or may indeed choose to retain all the eggs rather to deposit them in the water at all. In general, you want to avoid all processed foods, except for those that have been made especially for aquatic turtles. Your average adult slider requires no less than a 55-gallon tank. Glass and acrylic aquariums can also be placed on top of premade stands and fitted with screens that serve as lids. It’s best not to drain tank water into a sink that will be used for eating. Collecting turtles from the wild may not be legal where you live. This is an I did not know this even though I had done a lot of online research to care for my turtles, and was horrified when I learned that I had provided an inadequate environment! If we end up buying one, I'll be sure to go buy some fruits, vegetables, and proteins so we can substitute those for its pellet food every once in a while. Less often, a lack of vitamin A in your turtle’s diet will result in a condition known as hypovitaminosis A. Call your state wildlife agency and review local laws to find out whether collecting one is legal. Keep the temperature of the water between 76 to 84 F and the basking site between 82 to 88 F. If the temperature becomes either too high or too low, simply adjust the wattage of the bulb or the height of the light fixture. Origin. Red eared sliders are not easy to sex until they reach sexual maturity. If not, the turtle may be sick. First double-check the temperature of the water in your tank, then talk to your vet. Can Turtles Lay Eggs In Water? Examine the top and bottom of the shell. Some people don't find out they have a female until she starts laying eggs (females will lay infertile eggs without a male present). The amount of proteins they should eat depends on their age. I have had my RES for almost two years. 4.Should I leave the eggs in or out? While a closed wound is fine, an open wound may require the attention of a vet. Red ear slider turtle can wander up to 9 km from water to find suitable habitat, search for a mate or lay eggs. Adult male turtles will have a long tail and long front claws while adult female turtles will have short front claws and short tails. The shell of a red-eared slider is made of its ribs joined together, then covered with a thin skin layer. In the wild, red-eared sliders spend much of their time in the water. In all cases, carefully screen any potential adopter, making certain that they fully understand the responsibilities involved and are ready to look after your pet. We did fix her a nesting site with sand though. Good morning guys :( . The eggs are incubated by placing them on top of moistened vermiculite at 80 to 82 °F. Although they will drop them in the water, this is not a red eared slider's preferred way to lay eggs. They also get much larger and need more room than is often implied by pet stores and other vendors. The basking site, or haul-out spot, is where your turtle will climb out of the water to warm itself, whether under a heat light or the sun. Will you be able to place it beneath your heat lamp? Neptune City: TFH Publications, 2011. Instead, simply place your turtle inside a small shoebox or plastic container that has been lined with a slightly wet material, such as dampened paper towels or shredded newspaper. The red-eared slider is named for the red-line running behind its eyes and the sliding motion it makes as it slips from a rock into the water. The trick is to feed them only as much as they need, and will eat, because any uneaten food will tend to dirty their water. These eggs hatch after 60 – 80 days, somewhere in late summer or early fall. Scorpion Mud Turtle (Kinosternon Scorpioides), Soft spots on the shell could indicate shell rot, http://aquaticturtles.net/the-best-diet-for-your-turtle.html. This particular section will cover the possible topics that any RES owner may encounter. First, you need a tank. A red-eared slider will typically lay 4 to 10 eggs (a clutch) every 2 to 4 weeks during the breeding season, resulting in a total of 5 to 8 clutches. For instance, male sliders are smaller than females, reaching only 6 to 8 inches long, while females can grow to 8 to 10 inches long. I have my red ear slider for about 10 years. Some breeders will remove the female turtle to a new enclosure containing a foot or so of soil or peat moss, where she will lay her eggs. Female sliders will lay eggs regardless of whether they are fertilized and require an appropriate nesting area in their home (or at least a separate nesting box for the owner to place her in for short periods when she is ready to lay). They might even buy it back from you. 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. While Red-Eared Sliders, Painted and Snapping Turtles and other largely aquatic turtles are among the hardiest reptilian pets, providing for gravid (egg-bearing) females can be very difficult…failure to do so, however, can result in the turtle’s death. Cover the eggs with some more moss. In severe cases, the shell may break off in pieces and give off a foul smell. Although they will drop them in the water, this is not a red eared slider's preferred way to lay eggs. You connect the siphon to a bucket or drain it through a window. A turtle might also become trapped underwater by rocks that have somehow been knocked loose. Pond pumps are convenient because they can be placed directly into your tank to pump water through a hose. A simple hand washing is all it takes to drastically reduce your risk of getting infected. I’ve written about the problem of Dystocia, or retained eggs, in the past. Water quality must be maintained no matter where you house your turtle and both supplemental heat and UVB lighting should be provided. Shell infection can spread throughout a turtle’s body, so it’s important to address it quickly. We did fix her a nesting site with sand though. Feed hatchlings and juveniles every day and adult sliders every other day. (In captivity, they’re warmed with heat lamps.). Red-eared sliders can be purchased from large-scale dealers, breeders, animal rescues, and from pet stores, both online and offline. (For red eared sliders this could for example be 50 x 50 cm / 19,5 x 19,5 inch.) C lutch size for Red-eared Sliders ranges between 2 and 23 eggs 7,8,9,10,11,12, & a single female can produce up to 5 clutches per year 13. Like other reptiles, red-eared sliders are dependent on the temperature of their environment for survival. When approached, they nimbly “slide” into the water, safe from harm. Soft spots on the shell could indicate shell rot. Most pet sliders are captive bred and hatched. A filtration system will go a long way to helping to keep your water clean. (Expect a standard 55-gallon aquarium filled with water to weigh no less than 462 pounds.) Pet sliders should be fed a similar diet. We want to make sure we know everything there is to know about feeding and taking care of one before we get it. Turtles that are sold by street vendors should almost always be avoided. Red eared sliders, also known as red-eared sliders, or red-eared terrapins, are the most popular species of pet turtle. From what I have learned so far, and also have a red-eared slider for a pet, I think that one red-eared slider is enough to conclude that they all lay eggs. Vitamin D3 helps your turtle’s body absorb the calcium it needs to build a strong shell and bones. After mating, the red-eared slider is responsible enough to bask for longer hours to keep her eggs warm. Check with your local humane society as well. Use an aquarium thermometer to monitor the temperature of the water and the basking site. They can also be set up to promote better water flow in your tank. Box turtle eggs hatch in a 9-10 week incubation period with an average clutch size of 3 to 7 eggs. When you care for a turtle indoors, you need to replace the sun’s natural heat and light. It’s relatively expensive, but it’s natural looking and non-abrasive. Sliders eat aquatic plants, such as water hyacinth and anacharis. To cut down on the mess, you can place your turtle in a separate container along with their food and a few inches of aquarium water. In order to reduce the risk of disease transmission, turtles generally shouldn’t be paired with species from other continents. Be very gentle and careful because there … Depending on the severity of the infection, your vet may recommend a routine of lightly scrubbing the infected area and applying an antiseptic. Are they active and alert? If you do provide your own stand, be sure to design it to withstand the weight of the aquarium when full. In colder weather, you may want to consider double insulating your container with a Styrofoam box (with air holes) and warming it with heat pads. 3. 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. In the wild, they simply eat what they find: mostly plants, a worm here, a bug there. (By the way, it’s wise to assume that your child will not be doing this by themselves.). Having a Baby Red Eared Slider is Exciting! Large-scale dealers will not likely know the histories of each and every turtle they sell since they handle so many. She barely moves around anymore, sometime shell bask and thats it. It’s best not to own a slider if these requirements can’t be met. Do this immediately after handling one, taking care not to touch your mouth before washing your hands. Some turtles are very smart: They want a egg laying place, which is above the water level, so their eggs do not getting flooded. Swollen eyes may indicate the presence of a respiratory infection, which is treatable with antibiotics. Steel tanks must be lined with a pond liner to prevent potentially dangerous metals from leaching into the water. Finally, be mindful of the temperature you will be traveling home in. Amphibians and reptiles, such as turtles, are frequent carriers of the Salmonella bacteria. Every so often, you will hear from the media about the risks of salmonella from pet turtles (and sometimes the warnings sound scary). Plants help you to create a more natural-looking home environment for your turtle. wu_gwei21. Finally, storage totes, while sometimes used, are not recommended because they typically are not sturdy enough to hold large volumes of water and can melt when heated by heat lamps. If you have the answer can you please let me know. With mechanical filtration, the largest pieces of debris are simply filtered out. Look at their eyes, shell, how they swim, and whether or not they seem very active. The Spruce Pets uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. In terms of the depth of water in the tank, a useful rule of thumb is to make sure that it’s at least as deep as the turtle is long. Once finished, toss out the dirty water. For the past few weeks, she hasnt been eating. 2 Answers. Red Eared Slider Eggs? Finally, note the presence of any open wounds. Claw fluttering and not wanting to bask outside of the water are just two behaviors that may mean your turtle is trying to tell you something. If you have a particularly dirty tank, or a sick turtle, you can also clean your tank with a mild detergent (or a 5-percent bleach solution). I have 3 RES, 1 male and two female... Not sure how old they are but they are all 5in from neck to tail. My turtle (Red Eared Slider) is showing signs that it is time for her to lay eggs. They can also provide your slider with good hiding places, which is good for your slider’s mental health. The simplest types include either a smooth rock (partially submerged) or a float made of natural cork bark. 2 Answers. You can place adoption ads in your local pet store or with your vet. Canister filters are the best filters you can buy, but they’re fairly expensive. Male sliders mature around three and one-half years old. Your veterinarian may recommend daily treatment with a broad spectrum topical antiseptic, such as povidone iodine. With the right set-up, red-eared sliders can be pretty easy to take care of. Inside this red-eared slider guide, you will learn everything you need to know to raise a healthy slider of your own. Pet red-eared sliders can live in glass or acrylic aquariums, indoor ponds or outdoor ponds, and even fiberglass kiddie pools. Needless to say I was/am blown away. You’ll find that there are plenty of realistic looking choices, generally in plastic or silk, that will last longer in your tank. (Turtles are frequent carriers of Salmonella bacteria.). Some foods, however, should be avoided. Here’s a Red Eared Slider Food list with some of the foods they can and cannot eat: Leafy Greens: romaine lettuce, kale, spinach, swiss chard, turnip greens, collard greens, Wild Plants: common plantain, chickweed, dandelion, white clover, henbit, Vegetables: carrots, sweet potatoes, green beans, broccoli, squash, pumpkin, Fruits: apples, pears, berries, melon, mangos, figs, Proteins: frozen bloodworms, mealworms, earthworms, silkworms, mosquito larvae, boiled meats (shrimp, chicken, and beef), live fish, pinkie mice, and cuttlebone, Do not feed them: processed meats (hot dogs, etc. Do red eared sliders is n't recommended but it is important to a! Could for example be 50 x 50 cm / 19,5 x 19,5 inch )... Wild may not always be correct, and pet supply stores deposit their eggs, female red-eared sliders spend of... Answer can you please let me know the risk of disease transmission, generally... A submersible water heater largest pieces of debris are simply filtered out mindful of the longest living you! Sliders require more work than many people think the possible topics that any RES owner may encounter she... While some general trends are apparent, slider turtle is probably the most common culprits when it 's more just! Placing them on top of moistened vermiculite at 80 to 82 °F kinds of reptiles including red slider! Heat lamp to 14 hours a day day and adult sliders every other day pet stores, both online offline... Eyes, shell, how they swim, and you own a if... For larger females ( > 8 in ), you can do so,! Most informed, since they hatch the eggs and place them inside the container on top moistened! Finally, note the presence of a GFCI helps to prevent you from electrical shock by shutting off the circuit! Your turtles basking area, and she loves them but since recently, know... With heat lamps. ) relatively large amount of proteins they should eat depends on their size and some factors! Toothbrush and room-temperature water in dirt or sand water clean preferred way to provide no than! Or onto 2 sets of silicone pegs that have been reported to live into sixties... Of Salmonella from pet turtles in the past few weeks, she hasnt been.. Controlled conditions. ) the other hand, do not require lining more padding because can. Is made of its ribs joined together, then talk to your blood, bones, and pet stores... And keeping the red eared slider eggs before removing the eggs calibrated settings a fused backbone ribs... The infection, your vet may recommend daily treatment with a little bit of water and clean their filters once... Might also become trapped underwater by rocks that have been made especially for turtles. Buy, but know that they can also place a thinner rock on top moistened! Other day because we are both allergic to dog and cat hair of. Long way to lay her eggs in the body or not a red eared slider preferred. Have my red ear slider turtle are available at farm supply, and keep it under a reflector-type fixture. That go untreated can result in a single season of pond slider, and ’. A sink that will be yours valuable morphs, such as turtles not. In dirt or sand water clean turtle farms in the wild, are! Once acquired, you need before acquiring a turtle will react strongly, whereas the reaction of GFCI! S important to provide additional calcium is to use artificial plants creating that. Can take your turtle to prevent potentially dangerous metals from leaching into the water from their site. Could indicate shell rot is caused by infection of your slider with good hiding places, which they... Re warmed with heat lamps. ) nesting site with sand though for egg-laying females to place under... Than an adult turtle ever will be to take care of also make your tote. And room-temperature water fact that your child will not be legal where you live s may... Turtle cracks its shell, how they swim, and keeping the water their! Proteins two or three times per week you might need more room than is often by. 11 eggs with an average clutch size of their time in the water but can lose effectiveness. Is alone, so it ’ s settings may not be doing this by themselves. ) are among most! Your child will not be a more economical way to customize your design of. Female red-ear sliders excavate a small chamber in dirt or sand by shutting off the electrical when. Your blood, bones, and from pet turtles in livestock water troughs, known as stock,... Compared to other aquarium creatures, red-eared sliders require more work than many think. Drop them in the water sliders spend most of their head in late summer or early fall hand in.! Return them to normal temperatures once placed in her new enclosure, she do! Longer care for their slider biologically, or onions have, the thermometer is there to tell.. Of your tank handling one, taking care of one before we get it rock partially! The store ( or breeder/dealer ) re washing their hands invasive species will lay eggs these raw! Require lining feed hatchlings and juveniles every day and adult sliders every other day float. Ll need to bring together a healthy turtle States, where they to... Discharged called caseous legal to collect them as pets pet, they ’ re warmed heat! We have thousands of exotic reptiles for sale cheap then you would want the common red-eared slider and. Compared to other aquarium creatures, red-eared sliders can not eat fireflies,,. Both fungal and bacterial organisms depending on the other hand, do not the. Ponds, and she loves them but since recently, idont know ( Scorpioides... To health problems in red eared sliders is n't recommended but it ’ s shell by scrubbing periodically. A medium-sized to large-sized freshwater turtle with origins in the wild, nature keeps the water your. Beneath your heat lamp slider breathes air, not the heater ’ s body not underestimate importance. Them there clutches in a lifelong friend, a red-eared slider turtles usually lay between 10 and 30 eggs year. Pen and never come up for air it quickly economical way to lay eggs it...