Red-Eared Slider

Enclosure type

Large aquarium or outdoor pond; semi-aquatic; requires both deep water and dry basking area

Substrate

Bare bottom or large river rocks (too large to eat). Gravel is dangerous - causes impaction. External filter removes waste.

Hides

Dry basking platform occupying approximately 1/3 of the tank; ramp for easy access

Notes

Minimum 75-gallon tank for juveniles, 125+ gallons for adults (larger is better). Provide deep water area for swimming (2-3x shell length deep) and basking platform (1/3 of tank). External canister filter essential - turtles are messy!

Ambient / cool side

Water: 75-80°F (24-27°C); ambient air: 75-80°F (24-27°C)

Basking spot

90-95°F (32-35°C) basking spot

Nighttime

Water temperature maintained by submersible heater; air temp 70-75°F (21-24°C)

Heating method

Submersible water heater for water temperature; basking bulb for air and basking spot

Humidity range

Not applicable for aquatic turtle; maintain clean, filtered water with proper depth

Maintenance

Maintain clean, filtered, chlorine-free water. Water quality is critical. Use dechlorinator. Cycle tank before adding turtle.

UVB

Required: 5.0-10.0 UVB over basking area; replace every 6-12 months

Photoperiod

12-14 hours on / 10-12 hours off

Lighting notes

REQUIRES UVB 5.0-10.0 over basking area. Replace every 6-12 months. Basking bulb for heat. Combo bulbs available. UVB critical for shell health and calcium metabolism.

Staple food

Juveniles: commercial pellets, bloodworms, small fish, insects (70% carnivorous diet). Adults: aquatic plants, lettuce, vegetables (70% herbivorous diet).

Variety

High-quality commercial turtle pellets, aquatic plants (anacharis, water lettuce); feed in water only

Frequency

Juveniles: daily. Adults: every other day or small amounts daily. Feed in water (they must eat in water). Offer variety.

Supplements

High-quality commercial turtle pellets provide base nutrition. Dust occasional insects with calcium. Cuttlebone in tank for calcium.

Notes

Omnivore: Juveniles are 70% carnivorous (commercial pellets, bloodworms, small fish, insects). Adults shift to 70% herbivorous (aquatic plants, lettuce, vegetables). Feed aquatic plants: anacharis, water lettuce.

Water bowl

Aquatic turtle - lives in water; provide clean, filtered, chlorine-free water; robust filtration required

Notes

Aquatic turtle - lives in water! Provide clean, filtered, chlorine-free water. Water quality is critical. Use dechlorinator. Cycle tank before adding turtle.

Disposition

Can be handled briefly; carry Salmonella - wash hands thoroughly; minimize handling

Recommendations

Can be handled but minimize handling - they carry Salmonella. Wash hands thoroughly after handling. They may scratch with claws or bite. Handle over water or soft surface as they're slippery.

Respiratory infections, shell rot (from poor water quality), vitamin A deficiency (swollen eyes), metabolic bone disease, and ear abscesses.

Red-eared sliders can live 30-40+ years. They grow quickly and most people underestimate space requirements. Adults need pond-sized setups. Illegal to sell in many places due to Salmonella risk. Powerful swimmers and messy eaters - require robust filtration. Males are smaller with longer claws and tails. Can be aggressive - may not cohabitate well. Often basking behavior indicates good health. Need annual vet checkups. Very high maintenance compared to most reptiles - requires significant investment in proper setup and ongoing care. Many are released illegally into the wild (don't do this!). Not recommended for beginners despite common availability.