COMMON NAME

Red Eared Slider, Red Eared Turtle

LATIN NAME

Chrysemys scripta elegans

NATIVE TO

Eastern USA to Mexico

ADULT SIZE

12in/30cm. Mature from 4 years old. Lifespan of up to 30 years

EGGS OR YOUNG?

Lays 8-12 eggs, hatching in about 13 weeks

APPEARANCE

Young turtles have shells which are light green but this darkens as they grow. This subspecies has a bright red patch on each side of the head

WHAT DOES IT EAT?

Feed every 2-3 days. Juveniles must be fed every day. All of the sliders are omnivores, eating both animal protein and vegetable/plant matter. They are messy eaters so you may want to move them to a separate feeding tank at meal times. They eat fish, tubifex, bloodworms, earthworms, brine shrimp, krill, prawns, cockles, lettuce, banana, watercress, and duckweed. Fish pellets and cubes of heart or lean meat

EASE OF CARE

Some experience required

TEMPERAMENT

Hatchlings require a great deal of care to raise satisfactorily. Young turtles will be nervous but they become much tamer as they get older. It does not like frequent handling

VIVARIUM SETUP

An aquaterrarium at least 48x18x18in/120x45x45cm will house two. All Sliders need both a warm, dry area and a large pool of warm water. Water depth should be as deep as your turtle is long. The water should be maintained at a temperature of 73-78F/23-26C for adults, 77-84F/25-29C for hatchlings (you may need a heater to maintain this).
Provide a gentle slope for them to climb out as they aren't the best of climbers. External or internal water filter, fluorescent light tube and basking light are required.

SUBSTRATE

Substrate: Small round pebbles or large grade gravel. Provide large and secure rocks as resting and basking platforms.