This is the most beloved species of pet turtles worldwide is the red-eared slider, sometimes referred to as the red-eared terrapin. They are members of the Emydidae family of pond turtles, specifically the Trachemys scripta elegans species. Originating in the southeastern United States, the medium- to large-sized red-eared slider is a freshwater turtle. Sliders have been widely introduced into the wild outside of their original habitat, which extends from Indiana in the north to New Mexico in the west and the Gulf of Mexico in the south.
Care as a Pet
Habitat
Red-eared sliders can be rather simple to take care of with the appropriate setup. You need a tank first. Red-eared sliders demand a lot more aquarium room than other aquarium animals. Expect to replace their water and clean their filters about once every week because they too require access to clean water.
Last but not least, since red-eared sliders are reptiles, you’ll also need to equip them with basking lights and perhaps water heaters to keep them warm. Setting up your slider’s home is, for many slider keepers, one of the most creative and enjoyable parts of being a turtle owner. Make an effort to give your pet sliders the most naturalistic environment possible.
As Pet
Red-eared sliders can be kept as pets in kiddie pools made of fiberglass, ponds that are either indoor or outdoor, or aquariums made of glass or acrylic. Glass aquariums offer excellent viewing options, and their accessibility at pet stores is probably what makes them the most popular housing option for red-eared sliders. Glass aquariums can be pricey and bulky.
Heat
You’ll need a submersible water heater for rooms that are cooler than 75 °F. Before you add your turtle, calibrate and maintain the water’s temperature with an aquarium thermometer. Never use the heater’s pre-calibrated settings to calibrate the water in your tank; always use a thermometer. The heater’s settings might not always be accurate, but if it breaks down, the thermometer will let you know. Buy a heater that is enclosed in plastic, or make sure to put it in a spot where your turtle won’t knock it over unintentionally.
Feed
They are opportunistic omnivores, red-eared sliders. In the wild, they will consume almost anything, but as adults, they primarily consume plants. A similar diet should be given to pet sliders. Feed young animals daily, and feed adults only every other day.
The secret is to only feed them what they actually need and will eat, as any extra food will tend to contaminate their water. Offering your slider, a quantity of pellets that is roughly equal to the size of their head is a good general rule of thumb.
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