Some help for a red-eared slider...He's about 4 years old?

Question

I have a red-eared slider (turtle). He's in an aqarium that gives him plenty of room to swim. He's alone, except for the occassional guppies, which he loves to eat. My question, he gets so excited when my wife or I approach the tank to feed him. He swims frantically and will follow our head movements back and forth along the legnth of the tank. I was wondering if he needs a companion. I notice many times he will stare into the glass at the edge of the tank. He sees a reflection of himself. I didn't realize turtles had such personality, etc. I have a book, but it says nothing about companionship. Can anyone help me out on this. Any other info in the red-eared slider would also be most appreciated. My book says they even go through periods of depression...

Answer 1

Hi, I know what you mean about personality. I had a yellow belly slider that was a complete clown. And would beg for food and to be pet. They have very sensitive shells believe it or not and many love to be pet once they trust you. He was in a 500 gallon aquarium. When we got stationed overseas I donated him and the aquarium to a school ag program so he'd have plenty of attention. Well he did get lonely and depressed over winter breaks so they paired him with another male. A red ear. That stopped his depression. So I guess the answer would be yes. You do have to make sure your filtration is doubled and watch out for agression. I have read sometimes they can be territorial, but for the most part turtles are social creatures. I was once very active with a forum you may find interesting and helpful. http://happyturtle.ms11.net/ the members there have a wealth of knowledge. Oh, i had 37 different types of fish in with him and two snails that would lay eggs and when they hatched Creek would snack on them like popcorn. Good luck.

Answer 2

Here's the thing, I inherited an adult female red slider turtle (found her as a runaway in the back yard), and I am trying to keep her as healthy as I can. My concerns are: feeding her properly, Getting her companionship, and making sure she is content with her life. I:ve read enough and have very good common sense to feed, clean and make comfortable for now. My concern is to allow Miss Turtle to thrive and be happy in this part of her life and in the future. After all, they live up to and beyond some 70 plus years, right? I think she is somewhere around 7 to 10 years old. So it"s likely that she has a long way to go. From what I have gathered, she is a swimming turtle and needs more water than land, and should be fed a combination of proteins', fruit,veggies,and vitamin D_3 and calcium and kept warm and in the sun when possible. Given the opportunity, she may try to hibernate in a box or bury herself in sand or dirt for up to 3 months. There is not a ton of information on the subject of the right way to ensure the happiness of this turtle, and yet everything I read says not to let this creature go back to her natural envirerment. Is this not where she belongs? Anyway, I will continue to care for her the best I can, unless someone out there can give me a better solution. Frustrated in hell.....

Answer 3

I've had red-eared sliders before. They get excited when you feed them regardless of how many are in the tank together (they're pigs). As for getting a companion, I would be careful. Since your RES is a little older, it might be difficult for him to get along with a new turtle as they can get very tempermental and have distinct personalities, and so getting another turtle the same age/size may result in some nasty fighting. It might work to get a baby, but only might, your current one may harrass the baby if it doesnt like it, but at least you can be assured the baby won't harrass the older one as they're much more easy going. Another problem with babies is that it's illegal to sell turtles under 4 inches, but they are availible if you find a source.

If you don't want to go through with all that, plenty of turtles live alone. He may or may not be the happiest turtle in the world, but I think he'll be fine.

Answer 4

We have 11 red-eared sliders. We have 2 that are indoors and 9 that are outside in ponds. The 2 that are indoors are still quite small but at very active. They have 2 completely different personalities. The female is very attentive about what is going on. She goes bananas when we get near the tank and the other is so hum home about what is going on. Very Relaxed and laid back. As far as the interaction with each other goes they do climb on each other on the rocks. They don't fight yet which is good.

Answer 5

Red-ear sliders are only 'semi-social' animals. In the wild, they often share basking areas, but otherwise ignore each other unless there is a territory issue or a chance to mate.

In captivity, they sometimes do better with a cage mate- but ONLY if both turtles have plenty of room- about 10 gallons of water minimum for every inch of turtle.

These guys are intelligent enough to equate you with food, thus the excitement.

For good info, try these sites:
http://www.redearslider.com
http://www.austinsturtlepage.com

Answer 6

I have a yellow-bellied slider, which is a cousin of the red ear. Turtles can be very smart and they can recognize the sound of your voice and when feeding time is. For the most part, turtles esp. sliders, are loners, and can be aggressive toward new turtles. Turtles have quite the personality, so my guess is he is just happy to see you.

Answer 7

For the most part, reptiles of all sorts are pretty self contained (read: self centered and oblivious).
In my experience, turtles either ignore tank mates, or fight with them. The behavior you describe won't end when you get another one. He will always be excited to eat, and he will always do quirky things. You said it best, they have surprising personalities.
I think this is a case of, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Unless, of course, you want another one, in that case, go for it, but your turtle doesn't care.

Answer 8

I advantageous could and that i advantageous did. I had gotten my daughters ears pierced whilst she became purely some days previous. I had ended up taking the rings out and the holes healed up. At 4 years previous my daughter asked to get her ears pierced, I suggested of direction and took her. She picked out which rings she needed, they sat her down, I held her arms, they pierced her ears, she did no longer cry or something, the only undertaking she suggested became OW... after the 1st piercing, after that she became arranged for the 2d. She enjoyed them, she confirmed them off, she is now 5 and nonetheless loves it.

Answer 9

you should bye another turtle i have 6 3 red eared and they love being with people i feed mine meal worms but cut there heads of and fising worms and fruit !!!!!