Red-cheeked slider turtle: husbandry, profile and food
The Red-eared Slider is a water turtle native to North America. It belongs to the New World pond turtles and has long been one of the most commonly sold turtle species.
Red-eared Slider Profile
- Scientific Name: Trachemys scripta elegans
- Size: up to 30 cm (shell length)
- Weight: up to 1.5 kg
- Age: 30 to 40 years
- Distribution: eastern and central USA, northern Mexico
- Habitat: ponds and slow-flowing bodies of water
- Keeping: aquaterrarium or garden pond
- Diet: insects, larvae, snails, fish, aquatic plants
- Behavior: diurnal
- Hibernation: yes, for four to five months
Appearance of the Red-eared Slider
Red-eared Sliders can reach a shell length of up to 30 centimeters and weigh up to 1.5 kilograms. Male turtles are slightly smaller, reaching a maximum of 25 centimeters. The turtles have noticeable red or orange stripes on their heads.
The dorsal shell of the Red-eared Slider is relatively flat. It has a dark green base color, often adorned with yellow or orange lines and spots. The plastron of the turtles is yellow, with large black spots on each scute.
Male Red-eared Sliders differ from females in several ways, including having a thicker and longer tail and longer front claws. Additionally, their plastron is inwardly curved, while in females, it is flat.
Habitat of the Red-eared Slider
The natural habitat of the Red-eared Slider ranges from northeastern Mexico across the Gulf of Mexico and the Mississippi Valley to areas south of Lake Michigan. Due to repeated human releases, there are now also free-living populations of Red-eared Sliders in Austria, Germany, and other countries.
In the wild, the reptiles prefer ponds and slow-flowing bodies of water that provide them with a muddy bottom and dense vegetation along the banks.
Although they spend most of their time in the water, Red-eared Sliders enjoy basking in the warm temperatures of spring and summer, often seen in larger groups during these periods. However, they are typically solitary animals, coming together only for reproduction.
Keeping Red-eared Sliders
Red-eared Sliders can be kept either in an aquaterrarium or a garden pond. Ensuring high water quality poses a particular challenge in their care.
When keeping them in an aquaterrarium, it is important to consider sufficient size. As a rule of thumb, the water part should be about three times the length and five times the width of the turtle's shell. Additionally, a water depth of about 40 to 50 centimeters and a water temperature between 25 and 27 degrees Celsius are necessary.
To provide the Red-eared Slider with the opportunity to bask, the enclosure should also include a land area. Proper heating with a heat lamp is important to maintain temperatures that are comfortable for the reptile.
When purchasing an aquaterrarium, it is advisable to consider the growth of the turtles and opt for a slightly larger tank from the start. Otherwise, it won't take long for the turtle to outgrow the enclosure, requiring a replacement.
During the warm summer months, keeping Red-eared Sliders outdoors is beneficial. The natural daily cycle and associated temperature variations can have a positive impact on the well-being and health of the turtles.
The outdoor enclosure should be adapted to their needs and include a land area for basking. Additionally, it is essential to fully fence the enclosure to prevent the turtles from escaping.
Diet of the Red-eared Slider
Young Red-eared Slider turtles mainly consume animal-based food. Their diet includes insects, larvae, snails, as well as small fish and crustaceans.
As they grow older, the importance of plant-based food increases. While animal food sources make up about two-thirds of their diet in the beginning, they account for only about 10 percent of the total food intake in adult Red-eared Slider turtles.
A high-quality turtle food is ideal for providing well-balanced nutrition to pet Red-eared Slider turtles. Additionally, supplementing their diet with fresh food in the form of aquatic plants or even some lettuce is beneficial.
Lifespan of the Red-eared Slider
Red-eared Sliders can live for 30 to 40 years. Although slightly less than their closely related species, the Yellow-bellied Slider, they still have a relatively long lifespan for a pet, and this should be considered when deciding to acquire them.
Hibernation for the Red-eared Slider
Red-eared Sliders undergo a period of hibernation for approximately four to five months during the cold season. It is essential to provide the opportunity for hibernation for captive turtles to ensure proper living conditions.
However, it is not advisable to allow Red-eared Sliders to hibernate in a garden pond. Instead, they should be housed in a basement room or refrigerator for hibernation. This allows for better temperature regulation, ensuring no unexpected issues during overwintering.
Reproduction and Breeding of the Red-eared Slider
Male Red-eared Sliders usually reach sexual maturity at three to five years of age, while females typically reach maturity at five or six years old.
The mating period for Red-eared Sliders begins in early spring when the weather is sufficiently warm. Egg-laying occurs in early summer. A female can lay up to three clutches during the mating season.
When the female finds a suitable location, she digs a nest and lays an average of 10 eggs. The incubation period lasts between 75 and 90 days, depending on the surrounding temperatures, until the young turtles hatch.
Buying a Red-eared Slider
The Red-eared Slider is listed in Annex B of the EU Wildlife Trade Regulations. This is not due to it being a threatened species but rather because these popular pets have been frequently released into the wild, becoming a threat to native fauna.
Importation into the EU is not permitted. Therefore, if you want to buy a Red-eared Slider, you must ensure that it is a locally bred specimen. Keepers need to provide legal proof of origin, although there is no obligation to register them.
Regardless, we recommend thoroughly familiarizing yourself with the needs of the Red-eared Slider before making a purchase, considering their potential lifespan of up to 40 years.
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