The frequency of feeding depends on the age and size of your red-eared slider. Smaller or juvenile turtles will eat heartily every day. As they get older, adult turtles may be offered a good-sized meal once or twice a week, but they will not eat more than once a month.
Table of Contents
What do I feed my pet red eared slider?
I recommend feeding a commercial turtle food or pellet to the pet red-eared sliders to help with growth and health. Sometimes, you can offer them leafy greens, freeze-dried shrimp or krill, crickets, mealworms, or a variety of other foods. If you’re not sure what to feed your turtle, check with your veterinarian to find out what’s best for your pet.
How do you feed a baby red eared slider turtle?
Feed them a portion of food the size of their head. A four inch turtle will have around a full tablespoon of this. After they reach six months of age, you can switch to feeding them once or twice a week. If you have a turtle that is not eating well, you may want to give it a small amount of water to drink.
You can do this by placing the turtle in a bowl and filling it with water. The turtle will drink the water, but it may take a few days for it to get used to the new water source. Once it does, it will start drinking from the bowl again.
Do red-eared sliders need to be in water all the time?
A red-eared slider is likely to be able to survive for a long time without water. NEED to be in the water in order to stay healthy. The best way to determine if your slipper is in good condition is to take it to a wildlife rehabilitator. Wildlife rehabilitators are trained to look for signs of disease, parasites, or other problems that may be causing the animal to become ill.
What do red-eared sliders need in their tank?
A 20-gallon aquarium or plastic container is the minimum size for a young turtle, adults may need 40 gallons or larger. 80-85 degrees Fahrenheit (26-28 degrees Celsius) the water temperature should not be changed more than once a week. If the temperature is too high or too low, the turtle may become stressed and may die.
The turtle should never be allowed to become dehydrated. Water changes should only be made every other week or so to maintain the proper water conditions. Do not allow water changes to occur more frequently than every two to three weeks. A good rule of thumb is to change water once every three to four days.
This is especially important for young turtles and turtles that have not been exposed to the elements for long periods of time. It is also important to keep in mind that turtles do not have the ability to regulate their own body temperature.
How long can slider turtles go without eating?
A young turtle (less than six months old) can’t go a day without eating. A turtle that is six months to one year old can’t go more than a day without eating. An adult turtle should eat every two to three hours. Turtles are omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and animals.
They can eat a wide variety of foods, including insects, crustaceans, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. Some species, such as the American alligator, are known to eat insects and other invertebrates, while others, like the red-eared slider, eat fish. Turtles can also be carnivores.
Should I clean my turtle’s shell?
If you’ve never owned a turtle, you may not realize that cleaning them regularly is necessary for their good health. Turtles that spend a lot of time in the water need their shells cleaned off. Cleaning your turtle will help it live a longer, healthier life.
How do I keep my red eared slider turtle happy?
The water should be kept clean with a filter and weekly water changes. UVB light supports overall health, while UVA light encourages natural behaviors.
Is it OK to let my turtle walk around the house?
You should allow your turtle to walk. They will get exercise, mental stimulation and meet their natural inclination to explore with this. You can let your turtle walk around both inside and outside; so long as you prepare the area in advance.
If you have a large turtle, it may be best to keep it in a separate enclosure. If you do not have one, you will need to provide it with plenty of room to move around, as well as a place for it to lay its eggs.
Can red-eared slider turtles live in tap water?
If all of the chlorine is taken out of the water, it’s appropriate for the sliders. When choosing a water source, always take your red-eared slider’s water needs into account.
