2006-08-12 10:27:30 · 7 answers · asked by badonkadonk85 1 in Pets ➔ Reptiles
Please don't listen to djarizpe13 he's wrong! Red Ear Slider grow to be one of the larger water turtles. Keeping in a small aquarium will only stunt his growth an lead to MANY health problems and death! Please read this: Water Turtles,
Advantages are they don't need as much fresh food, pellets are the staple of their diet and it is easier to regulate the temp in their tank. They are more hardy and easier to care for then box turtles. Most water turtles get to be 6 to 13 inches big. The smallest water turtles you can get are Musks and Muds most of which get to be 3 to 4 inches. Maps also are a little smaller then Red Eared Sliders and Painted.
If you are still considering an aquatic turtle I need to tell you that these are Semi Aquatic meaning they do not have gills so they need to come out of the water to completly dry off and get warm. This is called basking and its Vital for turtle health. Also turtles will need a heat lamp and a UVA/UVB basking lamp of at least 5%, 10% is best. The water temps should be mid to high 70's with the basking spot at least 10 degrees higher. Depending on turtle probably 90 degrees. If your house gets cold you may need a submersible heater to regulate water temps. Your aquarium should be the largest you can afford. A good rule of thumb is 10 gallons per inch of shell. You will also need to invest in a good filter as turtles need clean water conditions. You should get a filter that is made for twice the size of your tank, so if you have a 30 gal tank, you should get a filter for a 60 gal. You could also use 2 smaller ones. Please feel free to email me for additional help and I will assist you in anyway that I can. Also please come check out http://turtleexchange.smfforfree.com/index.php. I am a member of this forum. It has great information about turtles and friendly members and staff who will be willing to help you. It's a turtle forum, but it's for other animals as well. I am julia23608 on that site. I hope to see you there.
2006-08-12 11:56:27 · answer #1 · answered by Julia F 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
If by 'lives underwater', you mean never comes out if the water- like in an aquarium- the answer is no.
If you mean a typical 'pond turtle' that lives in the water but needs to climb out to bask, etc, try a 'Reeves turtle'. A smaller turtle from Japan.
If you are looking for a mostly aquatic turtle- one that needs some basking but not much, aim for a map turtle.
Check out http://www.tortoise.org for more ideas.
2006-08-12 13:41:55 · answer #2 · answered by Madkins007 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Red ear sliders get BIG!!! I see females here that are near dinner plate size. An adult red ear needs a pond not an aquarium so they do not make good pets for most people.
Mud or musk turtles stay relatively small.
http://members.aol.com/TheWyvernsLair/turtles/MudMusk-1.html
They may be what you are looking for.
2006-08-13 03:30:14 · answer #3 · answered by carl l 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The smallest turtles that are legal to maintain are the dirt, musk, male map, and Reeve's turtles. All turtles might chew yet they are friendly. they only confuse your hands with food. it incredibly is one reason for coping with them in basic terms whilst mandatory. Turtles are no longer toys.
2016-12-11 07:39:03 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
red ear slider lives in water you would need to put something in the tank for the turtle to get out of the water when it wanted to
2006-08-12 17:04:32 · answer #5 · answered by funnychic30 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
a red ear slider is an example of one.
when you first get the turtle it is small and if you keep in a small tank it will stay somewhat small.
2006-08-12 11:12:57 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
red ears DO get big. get a musk, they stay below 6 inches
2006-08-13 08:03:42 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋