Red eared slidders?

Question

i have two red eared slidders and they are seven to eight months oldthe girl is still the same size as when i got her in september but the boy has growen three times the size! is there something wrong with her or is this normal for this is the time of year when they get older that she will lay eggs?

Answer 1

Female red-eared sliders are typically larger than males. Males typically mature when they reach a plastron length of 90-100mm, between 2-5 years of age. Females at plastron lengths between 150 and 195 mm. It seems that your female may not be growing as much as she should. Is she getting a balanced diet?

A balanced diet is needed to provide all the essential nutrients, minerals and vitamins that a terrapin needs for growth, bone and shell formation and repair of damaged tissues. Terrapins are mainly carnivores, but they do need a small amount of fruit and vegetable in their diet for it to be balanced. Meat contains protein, a little fat and some minerals and vitamins. Fish contains protein, calcium in the bone and fat and vitamins A and D in the liver oils. Calcium is strongly needed in a terrapin's diet, as a deficiency in either calcium, vitamin D or both will result in soft-shell which is difficult to cure. Fruit and vegetables contain mainly vitamins (A, B1, B2 and C).

Your male will become mature in about 2 to 5 years. The females will lay eggs in the spring and fall.

If you need any more information you can always email me at [e-mail] or you can contact your local PetSmart and i'm sure they would be happy to help!

Good luck!

Answer 2

For the most part, the answers you have gotten are poking around the truth but not getting there. Jose is close. You will not be able to tell the difference until they are sexually mature. At that time, the male's front claws will be significantly longer than his rear claws. If there is any doubt, you have either a female or an immature male. This works for sliders, cooters, painted turtles, and their close relatives. You have the same problem with the general technique for sexing. Look at the underside of the tail. Find the vent. With the tail held straight back, is the vent under the carapace (upper shell)? If so, you have a female or an immature male. If the vent is beyond the carapace, you have a mature male. The shape of the plastron (lower shell) is useful in turtles with high domed shells, not so good for sliders. The other advice you have gotten is just plain wrong. Just in case someone advises probing or popping, don't have it done. I have yet to meet the vet whom I would trust to do either without injuring the turtle. I certainly would not trust a pet shop clerk or an amateur turtle-keeper. If you are really lucky and have a male, he will evert his penis briefly and you will be sure.

Answer 3

You should invest in a book about these amphibians.They require more care than one might think.They are susceptible to vitamin deficiencies like vitamin D.Food alone is not enough.There is a spray made just for reptiles and amphibians that has all the vitamins they need.Clean water is important too.Some source of heat during the winter months is a good way to insure they don't go into a false hibernation and starve,as this can happen.It sounds like they are fine to me.Watch there eyes,if they keep them closed most of the day this will tell you they are deficient.Good Luck.

Answer 4

i have 28 red eared sliders and 14 of them are babies the babies are on 6 months old i breed these animals but i don't sell them well if you recently got them like maybe a month ago they are still trying to get used to their surroundings but it could be they fight over food and the male wins the girl may have a infection if the girl is moving slower then normal are not interacting with the other turtle then take her out put her in a separate tank and watch her very closely and try to feed her in the other tank but if u do move her wait a day and then feed her if something does happen not saying it will then i am sorry but keep in mind them being that small they carry alot of diseases

Answer 5

There could be food competition, try removing your male from the tank and feeding her by herself. If she eats alone, then she should probably be moved to another tank, they still have quite some time before they're large enough to breed, and with the size difference, you don't want any accidental drownings.

Answer 6

I had 3 sliders at one time and they were all different sizes but the same age... i believe it has something to do with the tank size but i believe its normal... here is a website you can look at to see if your turtles are getting everything they need :)

http://www.anapsid.org/reslider.html

good luck!

Jo-Jo