The Fish Room
Red Eared Slider Turtle
Painted Turtle and Red Eared Slider Turtle Care
Painted Turtle
CHOOSING YOUR
PAINTED TURTLE & RED EARED SLIDER TURTLE
Painted turtles and red eared sliders are the most common pet turtle across the US and is usually the first turtle most people would get. There are Southern, Western, Eastern, and Midland Painted turtles.
Painted turtles are a very invasive species so its better to have a lifelong commitment with them rather than giving up and releasing them in the wild. Same as for red eared slider but in different parts of the US.
Once a turtle is in captivity for a good amount of time, it is nearly impossible to release them back into the while especially if they are a rescue. This is due to the bond and reliability they have upon their owners for shelter, heat, lighting, and especially food! They would not know what to do without you.
Taking turtles purposely out of the wild where they live is a huge no to the wildlife within the area. If the turtle was found in an area turtles would not be found or by a large body of water, then they can be considered rescues.
Turtles are a HUGE responsibility and are a LIFELONG COMMITMENT. Same as any animal as a pet. They create bonds with their owners, and they would not know what to do without you.
If you plan on adopting a turtle, please do your research beforehand!
COMMON HEALTH PROBLEMS
Co-habitation is one of the common problems that cause health issues within turtles. Aquatic turtles are very docile and like to live alone in their tank. Having more than one turtle in the tank can cause fighting, dominance, mating, or death.
You will need a water conditioner such as the one from ZooMed to condition the water to prevent any irritation to your turtles’ eyes and skin.
HOUSING
As for every turtle, the rule of thumb for any enclosure goes as follows:
For every ONE INCH OF SHELL there must be TEN GALLONS OF WATER/TANK
(Therefore, if you have a six-inch turtle, you will want a sixty-gallon tank so they can live comfortably)
Its best to have your tank on a stand that accommodates the weight and will keep the turtle out of the way from any obstructions such as children, or pets.
Your turtle will need a basking area that keeps them 100% out of the water to fully sun/dry themselves. This can either be purchased or built but it needs to hold up the turtle’s weight but strong enough they don’t break it apart by trying to eat it. It also needs to be large enough to accommodate for the turtle’s size and movement around.
The water within the tank must reach to the ramp of the basking area enough for the turtle to comfortably climb up onto the basking area. The turtle should not have to struggle to find comfort.
TURTLES ARE LITTLE HOUDINIS. They love to climb and find ways to escape their enclosures. If they find a way out, there is a large possibility of them getting seriously hurt or killed.
Fixtures or decorative items can be added but be aware they may be at risk of being torn apart or munched on so try to get strong items to put in the tank.
If you put rocks in the tank, make sure they are bigger than your turtle’s mouth, so they don’t get eaten and cause medical problems.
Your turtle will need a heater or two in the tank to keep the temperature between 76 degrees and 86 degrees.
Turtles are docile and only like being in their own tank instead of sharing because sharing a tank with another turtle causes fighting, bullying, or mating issues.
LIGHTING
Light. If housed indoors, UVB lighting and supplemental heat lights should be provided to aquatic turtles. Painted turtles don't need extremely warm temperatures, but they will be more active and eat better if their home is heated properly.
The light and heat source should be no less than seven to eight inches away from the top of their shell.
*PLEASE DO EXTENSIVE RESEARCH PRIOR TO OWNING A PAINTED TURTLE OR A RED EARED SLIDER TURTLE
FEEDING
Painted and red eared slider turtles are omnivores.
Do not feed your turtle any insects or worms from outside because you never know what they carry and if they could get your turtle sick. Always seek out food from a grocery store or your local pet store.
Painted Turtles and Red Eared Slider Turtles like to eat:
(ZooMed is the best brand for pet store food such as pellets, shrimp, krill, cuttle bone, and more)
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Pellets
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Dried Shrimp
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Krill
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Romaine Lettuce
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Shaved Carrots
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Banana
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Strawberries
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Seedless Grapes
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Lean Ground Beef (The leanest you can get) rolled into bit sized balls
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Raw shrimp without the shell
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Boiled chicken breast no seasonings
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Boiled turkey breast ne seasonings
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Dried crickets
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Dried mealworms
They do like to be picky so its best to be patient with them.
If feeding lettuce, feed a piece the size of their shell. Everything else feed the size of their head.
They should be fed two to three times a week. Pellets are a staple to their diet, so they get it every time they are fed while things such as strawberries and banana are a rare treat.