Red-Eared Slider Turtle: Species Profile
Red-eared sliders can be enjoyable pets. They are adorned with attractive green and yellow marks on their shells and their skin as well as distinct red patches on their eyes. They typically are extremely friendly to their owner. But, they're an extremely demanding task in their maintenance.
What Is a Red-Eared Slider?
Red-eared sliders are one of the species of turtle that is native to North America. The species is known for its distinctive red markings and their capacity to "slide" into their home pools, these active swimming turtles are usually used as pet animals.
These adorable little turtle hatchlings available for sale develop into larger long-lived, sluggish, and dirty aquatic turtles. Prepare yourself for the amount of space and the amount of cleaning they'll require. As with other reptiles, it's a red-eared slider, which is unable to regulate its temperature on its own It is, therefore, essential for pet owners to provide proper conditions and use heaters to ensure their wellbeing.
Red-Eared Slider Turtle Behavior and Temperament
Red-eared slider turtles are lively pets who enjoy diving and swimming. Red-eared sliders that are born captive are generally more friendly and more social than those that were born out in nature.
In reality, wild turtles tend to retreat in their shells or underwater whenever they hear or witness anything (or anyone) coming, whereas the captive-bred sliders may come up to you in search of treats. Do not buy wild turtles that go to the pet trade because the stress of the change in lifestyle turtles can cause serious health issues and possibly premature death.
Although you can find the red-eared turtle who is excited to meet you whenever you touch it It's more likely your pet will become scared and will either retreat to its shell or bite. In general, it's better to respect your turtle's privacy and observe the turtle instead of touching it.
Housing the Red-Eared Slider Turtle
The right housing setup that is suitable for the red-eared slider isn't affordable, so be prepared to shell out a couple of hundred dollars to get a quality habitat. Whatever the pet store salesperson claims the hatchling turtle is not going to prosper in a small plastic tank. Consider an aquarium, even for hatchlings with the smallest size.
Begin with a 10-gallon tank in case you need to (though it is preferred) Be conscious that the turtle is likely to expand and require a bigger tank fairly quickly.
Additionally, you'll be required to supply all-UV lighting that is full-spectrum and a heat source for basking as well as dry docking areas. The docking space should have an easy-to-access ramp from the water and a secure place where the turtle can relax in the sun to absorb UV rays and heat.
Additionally, red-eared sliders can be quite messy due to the fact that they both eat and create waste in their water habitat. To ensure the best cleanliness, you should install an aquarium filter that is designed to handle two to three times the volume of water that is inside your tank.
Submersible and canister filters are both suitable to protect aquatic turtles. If you don't own filters, you'll require periodic water changes, which are usually only partial as well as water quality tests and testing, which can be equally tedious and unpleasant.
However, if you allow your water to get filthy, your turtle could be prone to health issues of various kinds.
A few red-eared sliders can be found all year round in a pond that is outdoors in warmer climates. But, creating a healthy environment for your pond as well as protecting your pet from predators as well as cold periods and pesticides should be considered.
Heat
The health of turtles can be affected when they're not kept sufficiently warm, which is why it's essential to create an environment that is between 75 and the temperature of 80°F. The turtle's bathing dock needs to be between 85 to 95°F. Utilize a water thermometer to monitor the temperature of the water. If it drops too low, you can add an illuminating lamp or another heating device.
Light
Full-spectrum UV lighting is required for your aquarium's turtle to recreate the benefits the turtle receives from sunlight. The light should be running for 10 to 12 hours a day.
Substrate
The substrate is the substance that you will find to cover the bottom of your aquarium's turtle. It's not just an aesthetic value, frequently mimicking the natural habitat of the animal However, it can also provide your turtle with something to delve into.
It is possible to keep the floor of the tank without a substrate in order to make washing the water simpler. However, if you wish to build a foundation choose gravel or stones that are too big for the turtle to consume to cover the tank's bottom.
Food and Water
Red-eared sliders are omnivores, eating meat and other vegetables, such as leaves of greens as well as dry shrimps, dried krill, and crickets. It's okay feeding your animal commercial brands of turtle food. The majority of which are designed to ensure full nutrition. Follow your veterinarian's advice for feeding to ensure the proper weight for the size of your turtle. There's no need to add more water than what's within the tank.
Many owners choose to feed their sliders with red eyes in the form of a water container outside their normal tank. Along with proper filtering, this helps to keep the water sparkling.
Common Health and Behavior Problems
Animals like turtles and other including hedgehogs are often carriers of salmonella and other pathogens that could be transmitted to humans.
It's not a reason to prevent you from having an animal (unless maybe you have children who are young or have immunocompromised persons living in your home) However, you must know the dangers and follow the proper hygiene guidelines. Hand washing before and after touching the turtle or its habitat is crucial.
Also, be aware of intestinal parasites that can be found within the red-eyed slider. The signs include a lack of appetite and unusual feces. The turtles are also prone to respiratory infections, particularly when their environment is too cold.
The signs of a respiratory infection include open mouth breathing as well as sneezing and excessive mucus. Additionally, as with the majority of tortoises and turtles, they may develop ulcers or shell rot. It is usually because of an unsanitary environment or diet that is not healthy and shows manifests as smelly or odorless spots on their shells.
For behavior, turtles generally are happy once they become comfortable within their surroundings. However, if you need to take care to handle them, you should do it gradually and gently in order to minimize their stress and reduce the chance of them engaging in aggressive behavior, like biting.
Choosing Your Red-Eared Slider Turtle
Red-eared sliders can be found at pet stores, however, it is best to find the turtle from a reliable breeder or rescue organization that can provide you with complete details about the animal's past and overall health. The cost for an animal with red eyes in pet stores is about $20, however, a reputable breeder may be a little more expensive.
Select a turtle that is alert and active, and ensure that it is eating. Check for red flags like lethargy unusual feces, discoloration of the shell or swelling, or excessive mucus. Also, observe the environment where the turtles are kept at the breeder, pet store, or rescue. If water doesn't seem clear and the temperatures are too cold there's a good chance that the turtles may have health issues.
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