Several different types of slider turtles are kept as pets but the most common variety is the red eared slider turtle. If you’ve ever seen a tank of turtles at a pet store, you were probably looking at a pile of sliders.
Red eared slider turtles are thought to be the same turtles behind the salmonella cases in the 1970s. If you will be handling any turtle, experts suggest you wash your hands with warm water and soap afterwards.
In North America, the sale of slider turtles less than four inches long (carapace size) is prohibited — this is to prevent the turtles from fitting into a child’s mouth. However, that four inch long turtle can grow to a length of twelve inches! If your turtle does grow, you’ll need to increase your tank size accordingly.
Red eared slider turtles are semi-aquatic turtles — they live both on land and in the water. The swimming area can become dirty quickly, so you’ll need to keep an eye on the water and clean it frequently with partial water changes. Your turtle may enjoy digging in underwater rocks or mud.
What to feed your turtle:
- Goldfish and other feeder fish
- Earthworms and crickets
- Aquatic snails
- Dark leafy lettuce, dandelion greens, collard greens, and other vegetables
- Aquatic plants
- Commercially prepared turtle food sticks (no more than a quarter of the diet)
- A reptile vitamin and mineral supplement
- A cuttlebone or calcium block to nibble
A healthy red eared slider will be alert, active, and colorful. A sickly turtle will have dull skin and can be lethargic.
Want to know if your turtle is a boy or a girl? Look at the claws. Claw length is the best way to tell the difference; the nails are much longer in males than in females. However, the difference may not be clear until the turtle reaches maturity.