Red-Eared-Sliders
From Pet Turtles And More Wiki
==Description== //www.petturtlesandmore.com/blog/inside-a-red-ear-slider-turtle.html/ see the internal organs of a Red Eared slider].hello
Male red ear slider turtles will grow to a max of 8" SCL and females to a max of 12" SCL.
Males have longer claws on their front feet and a much longer, thicker tail than female RES turtles. These differences will manifest themselves only after they have reached at least 4" SCL. RES Hatchlings are very difficult to sex.
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[edit] Natural History
Red ear slider turtles originate from North America. Because Red Ear Sliders breed easily and are very attractive as hatchlings, the pet trade has introduced this turtle all over the world. Pet RES can be found in the wild all over the world, and whenever they have been released into the wild, have become a non-native, invasive species.
Because red eared sliders are a non-native, invasive species, they have been banned from Australia.
[edit] Captive Care
[edit] Water
Red ear slider turtles are an aquatic turtle and thus they need to have as much water to swim and live in. The rule of thumb for aquatic turtles is to have 10 gallons of water for every SCL inch of shell. This means that a 1" hatchling will do well with 10 gallons of water and a 2" hatchling will do well with 20 gallons of water. Since a pet hatchling can grow to be either an 8" male or a 12" female, 80 - 120 gallons would be needed for one RES turtle. Each additional pet turtle will require 5 gallons of water for every inch of turtle shell. Two 6" turtles will then need at least 90 gallons of water (60 gallons for the first turtle plus 30 gallons for the second red ear slider turtle.
[edit] Diet
Red ear sliders are omnivorous, they will eat both animal and plant matter. As hatchlings RES start out being more carnivorous (meat-eating) and will grow to be more herbivourous (plant-eating) as they mature. Regardless of age, these turtles will pick meat when presented with a choice.
[edit] Amount and Frequency
Red ear sliders should be fed an amount of food equivalent to what would fit inside its head from the tip of its nose to the "red ears". Hatchlings should be fed everyday, bigger pet turtles should be fed every second day, and adults should be fed every third day. There is no established guideline for when to change their feeding schedule. Some sources state that hatchlings up to 2" should be fed everyday, turtles up to 6" be fed every other day, and larger turtles be fed every third day. Discipline should be enforced when feeding RES - they are opportunistic eaters in the wild and will eat whatever they can, whenever they because they do not know when they will get the chance to eat again. Care should be taken not to overfeed your pet turtles.
[edit] Commercial diet food
Some turtle owners consider commercially prepared pet turtle food to be best, as unlike live food there is reduced risk of transmitting bacteria or parasites to your turtle. Pellet food is readily accepted by all RES. Many commercial diets contain a high amount of protein, which contributes to faster growth and shell pyramiding.
[edit] Live food
Turtles also readily eat live food.
Many consider live food a vital part of a varied RES diet, in addition to commercial pellets. Commonly used live foods include earthworms, aquatic snails, small fish, crickets, waxworms, silkworms, and mealworms. Leafy greens, aquatic plants, and vegetables are also a very important part of the diet.
The best feeder fish for pet turtles are feeder guppies. Unlike feeder goldfish and minnows, guppies do not contain ???, which is not good for a turtles health. Also, feeder goldfish have long, bony fins which could potentially injure a turtles insides.BE CARFUL FISH LIVE FOODS BECAUSE THEY MAY CARRY HARMFUL DISEASES IF YOUR PLANNING ON FEEDING YOUR TURTLE THIS YOU MIGHT WANT TO JUST CONSIDER PERSONNEL IN BRED FEEDER FISH!!!
Anacharis is a pet turtle favorite and is readily devoured. Duckweed is also enjoyed. Hi
[edit] Breeding
Because of the pet trade and mass production of red eared slider turtles, it is not recommended to breed Red Ear Sliders. RES turtles are very difficult to sex as hatchlings. Identification is easily made when they grow to 4" SCL, which is when external physical difference start to appear. These external appearances are a function of time and not of age.
Male red ear sliders are characterized by long claws on their front legs and a thick, long tail. Female RES turtles will have front claws as short as their rear claws, and they have a smaller, thinner tail. Also, a female's plastron (bottom of the shell) will generally be flat. The male's plastron will be concave for breeding purposes and usually have longer tails than the females.during the breeding season the females are more attracted to male when he has long nails
[edit] Health Concerns
Don't give a RES iceburg lettuce. It contains no nutritional value for your turtle. Feed romaine and other leafy vegetables.
