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 recommend 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 70-750 F and can be maintained with a submersible
aquarium heater. The basking area should be 84-88
0F 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