Top 31 How Fast Do Red Eared Slider Turtles Grow 126 Most Correct Answers

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Red-eared sliders can grow as big as 12 inches (30.5 cm) when given the proper care, especially during their growth years. They grow up to 3 inches in their first year and then an inch per year after that. Their maximum growth rate in captivity is affected by factors such as genetics, nutrition, and habitat.Red-Eared Slider Size

Full grown adults that have been raised with plenty of space available to them can reach 12 inches in length, with females usually being larger in size. There are rare instances of adult red-eared sliders growing larger than 12 inches.2-3 Years of age: – Shell is between 4 to 6 inches in length. – Claws and tails on males will be extra sharp. – The turtle’s colors will darken.

Contents

How big can a red-eared slider turtles grow?

Red-Eared Slider Size

How big should a 2 year old red-eared slider be?

2-3 Years of age: – Shell is between 4 to 6 inches in length. – Claws and tails on males will be extra sharp. – The turtle’s colors will darken.

How old is a 4 inch red-eared slider?

Size of adult red-eared sliders

If your male red-eared slider is 4 inches long, he’s between 3 and 5 years old and has likely reached sexual maturity. The shell of a female red-eared slider grows to between 10 and 12 inches long, and a male grows no more than 8 inches long.

How fast are turtles supposed to grow?

While it depends on the species of turtle and their living conditions, most turtles reach their full size between the age of 5 and 8 years. The growth of a turtle is not necessarily linear. This means that a turtle will achieve the most growth in the first 4 years of life.

How big is a 5 year old red-eared slider?

However, at the age of 5, it is very probable that your pet still has a few inches to grow until they are about 11-12 inches which is typical for adult turtles. Male sliders are slightly smaller in size than females, normally measuring around 8-10 inches.

How can I make my red-eared slider grow faster?

How to Make a Turtle Grow Faster

Measure your turtle carefully, using a ruler or tape measure. …
Check your turtle’s tank size. …
Monitor the temperatures in the tank. …
Feed your turtle correctly. …
Use a high-quality vitamin supplement. …
Monitor your turtle for signs of illness.

How can u tell a turtle’s age?

After it’s death, the age of a turtle can be determined by a technique called “skeletochronology”, whereby the humerus (arm bone) is examined. These bones reveal growth rings that allow the turtle’s age to be calculated, much like we can calculate the age of a tree. Green turtle hatchling Claire, only 5 cm long.

How deep should red-eared sliders be watered?

Red-eared sliders need an adequate amount of water in which to swim. At a minimum, the water should be about twice as deep as your turtle is long—a 4-inch turtle should have a minimum water depth of 6-8 inches.

Do red-eared sliders bite?

Red-eared sliders may bite — and the bite can be quite painful. The bite will probably only hurt but may be more damaging to young kids with small fingers. Keep in mind that red-eared sliders won’t bite “just because.” In most cases, a bite is a result of an animal being mishandled or hurt.

How can you tell the age of a red-eared slider?

To tell a turtle’s age, start by counting the number of rings inside one of the scales on the turtle’s shell. Then, divide that number in half to get a general estimate of the turtle’s age. You can also estimate a turtle’s age using its size. First, measure the turtle from tip to tail.

Can red-eared sliders eat tomatoes?

Like humans, red-eared sliders are also omnivorous and have a very varied diet. Sliders can eat many types of vegetables- such as green beans, tomatoes, lettuce, kale, and squash– but also a wide range of fruits – skinned apples, bananas, berries, melons, nectarine, and mango.

What is the lifespan of a red-eared slider?

What is the biggest red eared slider?

Size and Longevity. Red Eared Sliders stay relatively small in the turtle world, with average adult sizes ranging between 5″ and 8″. The largest slider on record was 11″!

How do you know if a turtle is happy?

Swollen, cloudy, or “weepy” eyes with a discharge are all common signs your turtle is sick. Another very common sign is mouth breathing or straining to breathe. If your turtle looks healthy and is breathing normally, this is a good indicator they’re happy.

How long can red eared sliders go without water?

The Red Eared Slider is semi-aquatic, just like other turtles. But unlike the rest, it tends to leave the water and bask on land for longer hours. The Red Eared Slider can live without water for up to a week or more.

My Baby Red-Eared Slider’s One Year Growth in One Minute

How Big Do Red-Eared Sliders Get In Captivity? | ReptileKnowHow

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Most searched keywords: Whether you are looking for How Big Do Red-Eared Sliders Get In Captivity? | ReptileKnowHow Updating Red-eared sliders are popular aquatic turtles that can grow to the size of dinner plates! Find out more about their growth and care in the guide below.
Table of Contents:

How Big Do Red-Eared Sliders Get In Captivity

What Factors Affect How Big They Get

How Big Are Baby Red-Eared Sliders

How Big Are Juvenile Red-Eared Sliders

How Big Are Adult Red-Eared Sliders

When Are Red-Eared Sliders Fully Grown

Conclusion

FAQs

References

Helpful Links

Support Links

How Big Do Red-Eared Sliders Get In Captivity? | ReptileKnowHow

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how fast do red eared slider turtles grow

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Most searched keywords: Whether you are looking for Red-Eared Slider Turtle Care: Tank Setup, Feeding, and Upkeep – PetHelpful Updating Everything you need to know about the red-eared slider turtle’s diet, tank setup, and general maintenance requirements.Turtles,Reptiles & Amphibians
Table of Contents:

How to Care for Your Red-Eared Slider

Red-Eared Slider Care Quick Reference

Red-Eared Slider Turtle Basics

Diet and Feeding Requirements

Aquarium and Tank Setup

How Big Do Red-Eared Sliders Get In Captivity?

Red-eared sliders are popular aquatic turtles that can grow to the size of dinner plates! Find out more about their growth and care in the guide below. In this guide, you’ll learn: How big are red-eared sliders when fully grown?

How do you maximize the growth of RES?

What factors affect RES size?

How Big Do Red-Eared Sliders Get In Captivity?

Lifestage Age Size In Diameter Baby Red-Eared Sliders 3 months 1 inch Juvenile RES 1-4 years 4.5-5 inches Adult RES 5 years+ 8-12 inches

Red-eared sliders (trachemys scripta elegans) can grow up to 12 inches in diameter. They will grow depending on the environmental conditions they live in and is dependent on proper care, nutrition, and available space they have.

The growth rate for red-eared sliders is not the same for all individuals and it depends both on physiological and environmental factors. In general, they tend to grow at a very fast pace for the first 5 years of their life. As they age, their growth rate decreases but maintains a steady rhythm until the age of 7 years. At this time, they reach their maximum size.

When cared for correctly, red-eared sliders in captivity can live up to 30 years and the biggest individuals can measure up to 12 inches or more.

Depending on their size and age, red-eared sliders will have different space needs and nutritional requirements.

What Factors Affect How Big They Get?

1. Diet

Red-eared sliders are voracious eaters. In their natural habitat, these reptiles have an omnivorous diet based on aquatic vegetation and small animals which they hunt to meet their protein needs. These include small fish, aquatic invertebrates, and tiny amphibians like frogs and newts.

In captivity, mimicking such a varied diet can be a bit of a challenge, especially for new turtle owners. The diet of a red-eared slider in captivity should consist mostly of vegetables complemented with live fish, small amphibians, and insects.

📚 Read More >> Best Turtle Food For Red-Eared Sliders

2. Vegetables

Vegetables should make up a big part of the diet of your red-eared slider, especially as it reaches maturity. This type of turtle loves dark leafy greens such as romaine lettuce, mustard greens, kale, green beans, collard greens, carrot tops, and Swiss chard. They also enjoy vegetables like carrots and bell pepper. Give leafy vegetables like spinach sparingly, as they contain oxalates that can interfere with their calcium absorption. Fruits, on the other hand, could give your turtle diarrhea so feed them these once in a while.

Vegetables that float allow your turtle to nibble on them during the day, providing them with the vitamin intake they need.

3. Insects and other live prey

Worms, earthworms, krill, crickets, and shrimp are good options to complete your turtle’s diet. They contain a good amount of protein, have little fat, and will make a tasty meal for your turtle. For smaller turtles, prey should be cut into smaller pieces.

Pro-Tip ⚡ Very young turtles will need a predominantly carnivorous diet. As they age, you should gradually introduce plants and vegetables. Older turtles do not need that much protein and their diet should be mostly vegetable or plant-based.

4. Fish

Feeding live fish to your turtle can provide the mental and physical stimulation they need to keep their hunting spirit awake. Red-eared sliders are very strong swimmers and they will appreciate having to hunt their prey. Fresh fish also provides a strong calcium source for your pet, which they need to develop a strong, healthy shell and strengthen its bones.

The nutritional requirements for red-eared sliders vary during their lifetime. During their first years, until they develop sexual maturity around the age of 5, they will need a higher protein intake. Growing requires a lot of energy for baby turtles and a rich caloric intake is crucial for their physical development. Their protein needs will gradually decrease during their life, with a predominantly vegetable-based diet at old age.

However, giving your turtle live fish too often can be very problematic for your pet’s health as it might lead to a vitamin B1 deficiency (thiamine) that causes a weakening of your red-eared slider’s defenses.

Keep your turtle’s diet as varied as possible and don’t hesitate to consult a veterinarian if you suspect your pet might be suffering from nutritional deficiencies.

5. Space

The size your red-eared slider will achieve will also depend on the available space in its tank. Having an aquarium that is big enough for your pet to exercise and develop correctly is crucial to ensure the wellbeing of your pet and maximize its full growth potential.

Important The ideal tank size for a red-eared slider should be at least 4 or 5 times the size of your animal’s carapace. Red-eared sliders are very active swimmers, so they benefit from having a big tank where they can exercise with ease.

A baby red-eared slider can start its first year in a 30-gallon tank. As it grows into a juvenile turtle (measuring around 6 cm), it will need at least a 55-gallon tank. A fully grown 11-inch slider will need an aquarium which is at least 125 gallons to lead a healthy and happy life.

📚 Read More >> Best Tanks For Red-Eared Sliders

Bigger tanks can also help ease the workload of your filtration system as turtles can get quite messy. Having clean water in their aquariums at all times prevents illnesses due to infections especially due to the common bacteria, salmonella.

6. Gender

The gender of your pet is also a determining factor for its size. Although during the first months of life, both female and male sliders present the same size, sexual dimorphism starts showing up when they reach sexual maturity around the age of 5. From that moment on, female sliders often become bigger than males. This difference in size makes it easier for red-eared sliders to mate during the breeding season.

How Big Are Baby Red-Eared Sliders?

Baby red-eared sliders are very small and that is partly why, along with their friendliness and adaptability, they make such popular pets. During the first 3 months of life, they are only around 1 inch in diameter and weigh less than 60 grams. However, baby red-eared sliders will increase enormously in size and weight during their first years of life.

How Big Are Juvenile Red-Eared Sliders?

Juvenile red-eared sliders still have a long way to become adults. Normally at the age of 4 years, they measure around 4.5 inches. They will keep on growing at a slower but steady rate, around 1.5 inches a year until they reach their adult size.

How Big Are Adult Red-Eared Sliders?

We consider red-eared sliders to be adults from their 5th year of life, a moment in which they reach sexual maturity. However, at the age of 5, it is very probable that your pet still has a few inches to grow until they are about 11-12 inches which is typical for adult turtles. Male sliders are slightly smaller in size than females, normally measuring around 8-10 inches.

During adulthood, red-eared sliders will grow at a much slower pace than baby and juvenile sliders. They normally stop growing at the age of eight.

Regarding weight, a fully mature female red-eared slider can weigh up to 550 grams. Males are smaller and lighter than females, so their average weight is around 250-300 grams.

When Are Red-Eared Sliders Fully Grown?

Red-eared sliders are fully grown at the age of 8, the age at which they reach their maximum size and weight.

Conclusion

Red-eared sliders can grow as big as 12 inches (30.5 cm) when given the proper care, especially during their growth years. They grow up to 3 inches in their first year and then an inch per year after that. Their maximum growth rate in captivity is affected by factors such as genetics, nutrition, and habitat. Make sure you have a big enough tank with the proper setup equipped with filters, UVB lighting, and a heating lamp. This allows you to provide the best care for your slider to help maximize its growth potential and ensure its good health.

FAQs

How fast do red-eared sliders grow? The growth rate of red-eared sliders will vary from animal to animal. If fed correctly and given proper living conditions, a red-eared slider will increase its size by 2 inches during the first year. From the 3 years on, their growth rate will decrease but their size will keep on increasing around an inch per year until they reach maturity. You can make sure the growth rate of your turtle is adequate by using a chart that shows the relationship between the age and size (length) of red-eared sliders. How big do baby red-eared sliders get? Baby red-eared sliders are very small. In the first months of their life, they are no bigger than 1 inch in length. During their first years, they will increase in size considerably, growing at a rate of 3 to 4 cm in the first year and then growing steadily around 2 inches every year. From the moment they reach sexual maturity, their growth rate will slow down. In these cases, you will see sexual dimorphism in your pet. If it’s a male red-eared slider, it will be smaller than its female counterparts. How big is a 1-year-old red-eared slider? A 1-year-old red-eared slider will measure around 1.6 inches long. How can you tell the age of a turtle? Determining the age of a turtle is not an exact science, however, some tricks will help you estimate the age of your pet easily. Counting the rings on its scute and comparing the size of your turtle with others from the same species can give an estimate of age. Observe the rings on the scute of your animal’s carapace and count them. Then divide the result by two. Another method is growth. This works particularly well in young individuals as they grow at a more defined pace. Measure the length of your turtle from the tip of its shell to the end then compare the results with a growth chart for their species.

References

Facts on the Red-eared slider:

Red-eared slider (Wikipedia)

Red Eared Slider (Wildlife Facts)

Fact sheet on the RES specific to its distribution in the US:

Red-eared Slider (Trachemys scripta elegans) – Species Profile

Care guides:

Red-Eared Slider Care: Diet, Habitat, & Characteristics

Informative subreddit for owners and enthusiasts:

Red Eared Sliders – Owners and enthusiasts!

Red-Eared Slider Turtle Care: Tank Setup, Feeding, and Upkeep

Kate graduated from Sonoma State University with a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in biology. She currently resides in Sonoma, California.

Red-eared sliders are one of the most popular turtle breeds kept as pets in the U.S.

How to Care for Your Red-Eared Slider

Turtles can make fantastic pets. They are adorable, inquisitive, and extremely entertaining. Those cute little hatchlings quickly grow into adults, however, and most have fairly long lifespans. Turtles require a long-term caregiver and a certain standard of care to ensure that they get the most out of their lives.

It is important to understand how to care for your turtle properly. Here we discuss the care of one particularly popular, amusing, and intriguing breed: the red-eared slider turtle.

Caring for your red-eared slider requires more than just an aquarium, some water, and some mealworms. It’s important to take into account the unique diet, tank specifications, lighting requirements, and health issues associated with this breed. This will help ensure that your turtle has a longer, healthier, and happier life.

Red-Eared Slider Care Quick Reference

Topic Specifics Food Commercial turtle food plus occasional supplementation of fresh leafy greens, live food, and occasional fruit. Providing variety is important. Live foods include: Krill, crickets, super worms or meal worms, and red minnows. Tank Requirements Provide at least a 20 gallon tank for baby sliders (under two years of age) and bigger as the turtle grows. Ideally you’ll need 10 gallons of tank per inch of the turtles body length. Water should be at least as deep as the turtle is long. Provide a basking area where the turtle can get completely out of the water underneath a reptile heat lamp. Lighting A heating lamp that also provides UV-B light and is designed for reptiles is necessary. Direct this light at the turtle’s basking area. The basking area should be between 85 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. This light should be on during daylight hours. Lifespan 20-40 years on average and 70 years maximum in captivity. Trouble Signs Watch for sudden decreases in activity or appetite. Also watch for shifting tank equipment as this is a common issue with these turtles.

Red-Eared Slider Turtle Basics

Over the last few decades, red-eared sliders have become increasingly popular in the United States. As pets, they have some specific needs that must be met in order to keep them healthy and increase their life expediencies.

Namesake

Red-eared slider turtles get their name from the red stripes located near their ears. The “slider” portion of their name comes from their ability to quickly slide into the water. They are a very popular breed of turtle due to their smaller size and low-maintenance care requirements.

Taxonomy, Habitat, and Origin

Red-eared sliders belong to an order known as Testudines that includes over 200 species. Red-eared sliders seem to have originated in areas near the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico. They’re native to areas ranging from Colorado to Virginia and Florida.

Red-eared sliders prefer areas of still, warm water such as slow-moving streams, ponds, swamps, and creeks. They do not hibernate but instead become less active in the wild as the outside temperatures decline during the fall and winter months.

Diet and Feeding Requirements

Knowing what and how to correctly feed your red-eared slider is important. The proper diet can help your turtle to live a longer and healthier life. Red-eared sliders tend to thrive off a combination of commercial turtle food and the occasional supplementation of fresh foods.

Fresh Foods That Should Be Added to Your Turtle’s Diet:

Certain kinds of leafy greens (such as red or green leaf lettuce, turnip greens, and dandelion leaves, but avoid cabbage, kale, and spinach)

Krill or freeze-dried shrimp

Crickets

Super worms or mealworms

Red minnows

Occasional fruit

Adding fresh food a couple of times a week is generally a good idea. Fresh foods and live foods provide your turtle with additional nutrients that will help them to stay healthy and ward off diseases.

Commercial turtle food pellets should also be provided each day in small amounts. You can adjust the amount that you feed your slider by observing how much food goes uneaten after each feeding. Finding the proper amount of pellets to feed your turtle daily is important because uneaten pellets will corrode the water quality of your turtle’s tank fairly quickly.

Aquarium and Tank Setup

The way that you set up your turtle’s tank can drastically impact their activity levels and overall quality of life. Red-eared slider turtles are a semi-aquatic species, so they will usually spend an equal amount of their time both in and out of the water.

Your tank will need to be large enough for them to swim and exercise, as well as have plenty of areas where your turtle can bask and dry off. It is a good idea to plan on having a tank of at least 20 gallons for your baby red-eared slider. As the turtle grows, you will need a bigger tank. A good rule of thumb is that you’ll need about 10 gallons in tank size per inch of the turtle’s body length. Red-eared sliders can grow up to 12 inches in length.

Fill your tank with an adequate amount of water. Turtles should have a water level that is at least twice as deep as they are long. Ideally, the amount of water should also be enough that your turtle can swim about five times its body length in one direction.

Tank Requirements:

You’ll need at least 10 gallons in tank size per inch of the turtle’s body length. You can get away with a 20-gallon tank (minimum) for a baby slider. After the turtle is two years old they will likely outgrow this tank.

Provide a basking area where your turtle can get completely out of the water and dry off. Preferably underneath a heating lamp.

The water in the tank should be at least as deep as the turtle is long.

Ideally, the area of water in the tank should be enough so your slider can swim about five times its body length in one direction.

In half of your tank, stacking smooth rocks or sloping gravel can be a great way to provide a basking area. There are also commercially made turtle docks and tank accessories that can be used for basking. Land areas can also be constructed at home out of plastic or wood. Be sure that when you fill your tank, your turtle will be able to access these landings. Also, be sure that the land areas you provide allow your turtle to fully dry off if they wish to.

Lighting Requirements

In the wild, red-eared sliders enjoy basking in the sun on logs or along the banks of the creeks, ponds, and streams that they inhabit. In your tank, it is very important that you provide some sort of basking light for your turtle. These lights can be made by either adding a reptile warming bulb (that produces UV-B light) to a safe and durable terrarium lamp or else purchased online or in a pet store.

Position the basking lamp above an area where your turtle is able to easily climb out of the water and dry off completely. Basking helps to warm your turtle and prevent certain illnesses and types of algae from growing on their shells.

Lighting Considerations:

A terrarium basking lamp that provides UV-B light is necessary.

Position the basking lamp above an area where the turtle can climb completely out of the water.

The basking area, when heated by the basking lamp, should be between 85 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. If it is too hot, move the lamp further away.

The turtle should not be able to touch any light fixtures.

Any lighting in the aquarium should be on for about the same length of time as there is daylight.

A good basking light can be critical to maintaining your turtle’s health and increasing its lifespan.

Lifespan of Red-Eared Slider Turtles

You may be wondering how long your pet red-eared slider is going to live. If you are committing to a slider as a pet, you may be shocked to find out that they have an extremely long life expectancy if the right conditions are in place.

Lifespan Facts:

Many die in the first two years of life if not properly cared for.

The average lifespan in captivity is 20-40 years.

The maximum lifespan in captivity is 70 years.

Red-eared sliders who survive their first two years of life generally live longer in captivity than they do in the wild.

A red-eared slider basking in the warm sunlight.

Trouble Signs to Watch For

Red-eared sliders tend to remain generally healthy if their care requirements are properly met. Still, they’re susceptible to a few illnesses and health conditions.

Sudden decreases in activity or appetite may indicate that your turtle isn’t thriving. It is also important to frequently check and make sure that your turtle’s tank remains clean and safe. Large rocks may shift and trap your turtle underwater, so be sure stones are properly secured.

Also, your filtration system, water heater (if you use one), and basking light can shift or change position, posing a risk to your turtle. Be sure that basking lights can’t touch the shell of your turtle or the water of your tank. These turtles are very curious and are known for causing equipment in the tank to shift while inspecting it.

Enjoy!

Red-eared slider turtles can make fantastic pets and live for a very long time under the proper care and indoor tank conditions. They can be hilarious to watch and make very low-maintenance pets.

Still, it is important to remember that this breed has some specific diet and tank requirements that must be met in order for it to thrive. Keep that in mind, and you will likely be enjoying the adorable antics of your red-eared slider for years (or even decades) to come.

More Care Tips

Red-Eared Slider Care Sheet – Reptiles Magazine

Expert care tips for the red-eared slider.

Expert care tips for the red-eared slider. Red-Eared Slider Care Sheet – Petco

This is a very useful (printable) care sheet for the Red Eared Slider Turtle produced by Petco. You can print out this care sheet and take it with you to the pet store when getting equipment for your slider.

This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. It is not meant to substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, or formal and individualized advice from a veterinary medical professional. Animals exhibiting signs and symptoms of distress should be seen by a veterinarian immediately.

Questions & Answers

Question: How can I tell the age of the red eared slider turtle?

Answer: This can be a little difficult to do if you don’t know when your turtle was hatched and it is not an exact science. It is worth noting that by the time a red eared slider is legally able to be purchased in a pet store, it is likely about two years of age.

In general, you can estimate a red-eared slider turtle’s age by their size and coloring.

Under 6 months of age:

– Shell is less than 4 inches in length.

– Very bright coloring.

– Kelly green colored shell with some yellow markings.

6-12 Months of age:

– Shell is less than 4 inches in length.

– Slightly less intense coloring.

1-2 Years of age:

– Shell is less than 4 inches in length.

– Bright colors have now faded to a darker olive hue.

2-3 Years of age:

– Shell is between 4 to 6 inches in length.

– Claws and tails on males will be extra sharp.

– The turtle’s colors will darken.

– The “red ears” on the slider turtle will fade or disappear.

– Shell will turn a brownish or ochre color.

3-4 Years of age:

– Shell is between 6 to 8 inches in length.

– Males claws will be slightly shorter.

– Shell is a brownish or ochre color.

Over 4 years of age:

– Shell is between 8 to 13 inches (or more) in length.

– Males claws will continue to shorten.

– Shell is a brownish or ochre color.

After about the age of four, it is nearly impossible to estimate the age with any accuracy. At this point, the turtle is done developing and goes through much less obvious changes.

Question: I was told that red eared slider turtles can cause salmonella poisoning, is this true?

Answer: Yes, reptiles in general shed salmonella particles in much the same way humans shed skin cells. They can get everywhere!

For this reason, it is important to always wash your hands after handling the red-eared slider turtle as well as any surface they’ve crawled across with soap and water. You should also wash any clothes that have come in contact with your red-eared slider turtle as well.

Remember that you can also easily be exposed to salmonella by cleaning the turtle’s tank or changing its water. It is a good idea to use latex gloves while doing these tasks for an additional layer of protection.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that reptiles are not kept in homes that have children under the age of five. Younger children are especially susceptible to salmonella since they often put their hands in their mouths. Salmonella poisoning is also more serious if in a child under five years of age.

The elderly and others with conditions that cause them to have weakened immune systems should also be kept away from reptiles such as the red-eared slider.

Question: What part of the red-eared turtle’s shell will change color the most if your turtle is sick?

Answer: It depends on what your turtle is sick with. However, some things to watch for are pink or white spots on the top or bottom of the shell. This could indicate the start of “shell rot.” This can be caused by poor diet, poor lighting conditions in the tank, or a fungal infection.

You can also watch the skin of the turtle as it will often turn slightly grey if something is wrong with the turtle. This usually indicates poor diet.

Also, if a red-eared slider turtle is sick, often its overall color will fade. This will generally be most visible over the top of the shell or on the skin of the turtle. A brightly colored turtle is a healthy turtle!

© 2017 Kate Daily

Jxlly on April 21, 2020:

How do i make homemade food for my terapin if i have quarantine orders?

Sammi W on March 12, 2019:

If I were to have one as a pet, would I have to pay lots in vet bills? Do they need lots of that kind of care?

Kay on November 11, 2018:

How i know what age of my turtle

Linda Crampton from British Columbia, Canada on December 19, 2017:

This article contains a lot of useful information. I’ve never kept a turtle as a pet, though I’d like to do so. Your article would certainly be helpful if I ever get a red eared slider.

How Can I Tell How Old My Red-Eared Sliders Are?

Red-eared sliders, named for the red stripe behind the ear, are a popular pet turtle species, and they can live up to 50 years in the wild. Understandably, these long-living reptiles are sometimes rehomed, and it can be challenging to determine how old they are when you don’t know when they were hatched.

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Red-eared sliders can live up to 50 years in the wild. Image Credit: microcosmoss/iStock/Getty Images

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There are clues, however, that can help you guess the approximate age of your turtle, including the size of his carapace and the number of rings on the shell. Knowing the sex of your turtle is helpful because females are visibly larger than males and are sometimes identified as older than they really are.

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Size of adult red-eared sliders

Determining the point when a red-eared slider is an adult isn’t an exact science. However, most reptiles are considered adults at sexual maturity, which for turtles takes longer than you might think. If your female turtle is between 6 and 8 inches long, she is likely 5 to 7 years old and is considered an adult. If your male red-eared slider is 4 inches long, he’s between 3 and 5 years old and has likely reached sexual maturity.

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The shell of a female red-eared slider grows to between 10 and 12 inches long, and a male grows no more than 8 inches long. If your turtles are this length, you know they are adults and are at least 3 to 5 years old. Clearly, knowing the gender of the turtle is helpful when determining age.

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Determining adult red-eared slider age

Knowing whether you have an old red-eared slider is challenging but not impossible. After two years, the namesake red line beside the ear becomes darker, and the shell takes on a darker hue. Chips and discoloration of the shell are usually signs of aging but can also be evidence of one bad fall out of the tank.

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Food intake, either too much or too little, creates rings on the turtle’s shell, also called a carapace. Usually, the rings form twice a year because turtles generally go through two natural feast and famine cycles. So, counting rings and then dividing by two can give you some idea of the turtle’s age. However, older turtles can have rings that are very close together, resulting in counting errors. Rings are still an estimate.

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Claws on male turtles can also give you a clue to the turtle’s age. Claws on a male red-eared slider grow significantly by the time he is 2 years old and are much bigger than female claws. Two to 3-year-old turtles have prickly, sharp claws, but as the turtle ages, the claws become shorter and blunter. Worn claws are a sign of advanced age.

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Life span of captive red-eared sliders

While wild red-eared sliders can live up to five decades, most captive turtles live between 20 and 30 years with good care. Unfortunately, many red-eared slider pets get sick or die because of unintentional poor care, resulting in problems such as shell rot and skin ulcers. Turtle maintenance is time-consuming.

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Clean tanks regularly and use a water filter capable of cleaning a tank five times the size of the turtle’s enclosure. Dirty tanks and lack of heat are typical causes of shell rot and skin ulcers. Like most reptiles, turtles require calcium supplements and regular exposure to sunlight — specifically, ultraviolet B light is needed for indoor pet turtles.

Rehoming a red-eared slider

Red-eared sliders are popular reptile pets, but they require commitment and diligent care. If you find that you can no longer care for a pet with a potential longevity of two or more decades, do not release her into the wild. Red-eared sliders are one of the most invasive species in North America for this reason. Instead, contact a local reptile zoo, rescue, or animal control service near you to responsibly surrender your turtle.

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