Feeding Your Red Eared Slider

Most pet turtles, red eared sliders included, are mainly herbivorous in the wild and can survive on vegetables such as carrots, lettuce or cabbage or fruits such as berries. Some owners also introduce earthworms or live insects such as crickets, beetles or spiders. You can also buy commercial turtle food to ensure that your turtle is getting all of the nutrients it needs. Diet and frequency of feeding is also, in part, a function of your turtle's age. One thing you will notice is that the red eared slider's diet tends to change as they mature. Younger turtles are usually omnivores, eating a wide range of vegetation and insects. As they mature, they tend to be more herbivorous, sticking to fruits and vegetables.

Creating The Right Habitat For Your Red Eared Slider

Having the right habitat for your turtles, red eared slider turtles among them, is important. The size of your aquarium will depend on the size of your turtle. One rule of thumb is to have ten gallons per inch of turtle. For instance, a ten inch turtle may require a 100 gallon tank. Keep this in mind before buying your turtle. Also, make sure there is plenty of water and try to make it as pure as possible. Lighting is another important factor. Turtles need sunlight for proper bone growth and vitamin synthesis. If the turtles don't get natural sunlight, buy a fluorescent light or other specially designed light for reptiles. Finally, keep out things that could harm the turtle if they eat it, as things like woods chips or other organic materials can be dangerous to your turtle's health.

Finding the right temperature for your turtles, red eared slider turtles included, is important. One thing that is important for your pet turtle is to try to keep it warm. Some turtles hibernate in the winter in the wild, but if you are keeping your pet turtle inside, it will not hibernate and it is important to make sure they are not exposed to extremely cold temperatures. Ideally, their surroundings should be kept at 75-80 degrees Fahrenheit. You can lower the temperature 5-10 degrees at night. There are plenty of other great resources to check out about caring for turtles, red eared sliders and others. Also, check out my other articles for more help.