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FAQs About Red Ear Slider Turtle Selection Related Articles:
The Care and Keeping of the
Red Eared Slider,
Trachemys scripta elegans by
Darrel Barton, Red Ear
Sliders, Turtles, Amphibians, Red
Eared Slider Care, Shell Rot in
Turtles,
Related FAQs: Sliders 1,
Sliders 2,
Red Eared Slider Identification,
RES Behavior, RES
Compatibility, RES Systems,
RES Feeding, RES
Disease, RES Reproduction, Turtles in
General:
Turtles, Turtle Identification,
Turtle Behavior,
Turtle Compatibility,
Turtle Selection,
Turtle Systems,
Turtle Feeding,
Turtle Disease,
Turtle Disease 2,
Shell Rot,
Turtle Reproduction,
Amphibians, Other
Reptiles,
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Turtle Question, RES sel.
10/26/07
My boyfriends mom bought a Red Eared Slider about a week ago that is about 1
in long. I have read everywhere that they aren't supposed to be sold until they
are 4 in and I am scared we aren't going to take care of it properly for its
age. I have read a lot of information about them but would still like to know if
there are any special needs they have at that age?
<Not really, Nicole -- they're not at all complicated to keep -- you just have
to pay attention to the few things they need and DO them. Check out the link
here and do everything it tells you to do:>
< http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/RESCareBarton.htm >
I also read that spots on the belly mean they are sick and (s)he has spot, what
I didn't read was what the spots will look like.
<I think we need a little more information, Nicole. White-ish spots that don't
go away (or come back after you wipe with water and the water dries) can be
fungus which isn't good for them -- but then it's an easy fix. Swab the area
with household vinegar and allow the area to dry (keep the turtle out of the
water for an hour or so) once a day for 7 days. It is important to pay attention
to hygiene here. Make sure his water is clean and cool and that he has a nice
place to climb out and warm up & dry out under proper lighting.>
And last (s)he was bought a week ago and has yet to eat anything. We are going
out to buy it food tonight (probably some guppies and worms and fruit) how
should we go about feeding it?
<Read the link (above) the best food for Sliders is either koi pellets, which
come in small and large sizes (get small if you can) or commercially prepared
water turtle food such as Repto-Min.>
Give it to it live or should we cut them into smaller pieces?
<Turtles don't need and don't really even benefit from live food, especially not
fish. Turtles almost never try to catch or eat fish in the wild, although
sometimes it's fun to see them try. When he gets bigger, a very occasional
earthworm or nightcrawler, available at most pet stores, will be a nice treat.
Buy 12, give one to your turtle and let the others loose in your garden.>
Your help would be greatly appreciated!
<Then you shall have it -- hope you enjoy it!>
Nicole
<Darrel>
NEW TURTLE
Hi you guys.
I have enjoyed reading your replies to what seem to be some of the lamest people on Earth, I am sure (helllloooo....you think your turtle has a broken
leg? You don't even think of taking her to the vet??). Here is our situation: I work in the Biology Dept of a community college. 2,
6-inch Sliders (both males) were donated along with their 150 gal tank about a year ago. They are thriving-eating, growing, very social. Someone found a
small (4-inch) Slider in their yard and asked if we could take it. I have
him here, separated from the others. He is eating reptile sticks, soaking in a small tub of water and enjoying the warming light. I read in the forums to
keep him separate for at least a month, which is fine.
I wonder, not knowing anything about this guy, if I need to worry about any parasites or
other diseases. The new guy seems healthy, bright, clear eyes, very active, decent appetite. Should I do anything besides the quarantine? I also
noticed that someone mentioned to keep the introduc-ee in a bare-bottomed tank. I assume this means no water? He has a tub within the tank so he can
get in if he wants. The rest of the tank is medium sized gravel.
Thanks ahead of time for your help. Your forum is terrific.
Dandelian Tucker
Teaching Assistant II, Biology/Environmental Science
< New turtles should be quarantined for a month in a clean aquarium. Add a sulfa
block to the water for the month. The sulfa will dissolve into the water and inhibit any bacterial or fungal growth due to
trauma.-Chuck>
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