Western
New York Herpetological Society
www.wnyherp.org
©
2001 - 2002 by Western New York Herpetological Society
This
document is for guidance only and should not be used as the sole source of
information. New information is being developed daily. It is recommended that a
concerted effort be made to maintain up-to-date knowledge of the animals of
interest.
Common
name:
Red-Eared Slider
Latin
name:
Trachemys scripta elegans
Native
to:
Mississippi River valley and tributaries from
Indiana to the Gulf of Mexico
Size:
Average adult is 5-8 inches; females are larger than
males of same age.
Life
span:
15-25 Years
General
appearance:
Young are bright green with yellow markings and a
red stripe just behind the eyes. Colors dull with age.
Housing
requirements:
Enclosure:
Should be mostly aquatic. Minimum dimensions for
tank are: width - 3 times the shell length and length - 6 times the shell
length. Minimum depth of the water should be as deep as the shell is wide. A
basking area is needed to allow the turtle to get out of the water to dry
completely. UV lighting can be beneficial.
Temperature:
The water should be 70°-75° F and can be maintained
with a submersible aquarium heater. The basking area should be 84°-88°F during the daylight period. This can be maintained
with an incandescent light.
Substrate:
Substrate is not recommended. Frequent water changes
make it difficult to clean.
Diet:
Feeding should be daily with all they can eat in 45
minutes. Remove all food remaining after that time, except for greens. Just
because they beg for food does not necessarily mean they're hungry, this is a
trained condition. Diet should be at least 65-85% meat consisting of commercial
turtle food, trout chow, beef heart, cooked chicken, fish live or fresh caught
(not frozen). Meat should be dusted once a week with a good herp vitamin containing
D3. Dark green leafy vegetables can be used to fill the rest of the diet.
Maintenance:
Water should be clean and clear. Waste should be
removed whenever it is found. Filtration prolongs the time between water changes,
but should not be used as a substitute for water changes. Wastewater should not
be emptied into a sink that is used for food preparation or personal hygiene.
Hands and any other part of your body that comes in contact with the water
should be washed thoroughly with anti-bacterial soap.
Other
references or recommended reading:
General
Care and Maintenance of Red-Eared Sliders: Philippe de Vosjoli
Encyclopedia
of Turtles: Dr. Peter C. H. Pritchard
Turtles
of the World: Carl H. Earnst and Roger W. Barbour
Encyclopedia
of Keeping and Breeding Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles: A. C. Highfield