What do I need to provide the best care for my new little turtle?

Question

I purchased one of those little turtles at the Los Angeles Santee Alley. I was told that it is not supposed to grow but based on what I found on the web, that particular turtle is a baby Red-Eared Slider. Am I correct that that is the most probable species? Can someone describe what I need to do to meet this turtle's needs? The info on the net is a bit hazy.

Answer 1

Yes, it's most likely a red-eared slider, yes it will grow if you take care of it. (the ones that don't grow, die.)

The #1 best thing ever you can get for this turtle is a book on the captive care and maintenance of the species. These can be acquired at your local pet store, book store, or online and will provide all the information you need on what to feed your new pet and what you will need to keep him or her healthy. This will also help prevent and identify the most common problems that you see posted here on Y!A about these turtles, you know, things like "How do I tell male from female?" "My RES's eyes are puffy and won't open, what's wrong?" "What can I feed my RES other than the pellets?" "Is the little bowl and palm tree my RES came with enough for it to live it's entire life?"

I'm sure there's all kinds of good answers here already, I haven't read any of them yet, but I can tell you now, there's nothing anyone posted that isn't available in a good maintenance book, and with a book, you won't have to post questions on Y!A and get answers from hobbyists, you'll have a book full of expert advice right there.

(No offense to any experts who may be posting here, but if you are an expert, you appreciate the wisdom of the advice I have offered, and you know it.) :)

Edited to add....

No, MKM, if I was full of myself I'd be claiming to know and be able to teach anyone how to take care of any type of turtle, and ANY person who keeps ANY exotic species responsibly will most likely have at LEAST one book that talks about common problems with their pet... especially reptiles.... I don't look down on people who don't get care and maintenance books, I look down on breeders and sellers who don't at least make a care sheet available for their customers or at the VERY LEAST let them know WHAT KIND OF ANIMAL THEY ARE PURCHASING AND THE TRUTH ABOUT WHETHER IT WILL GROW OR NOT. ROADSIDE/FLEA MARKET TURTLE SELLERS MAKE LIFE MORE DIFFICULT FOR ALL OF US.

Now I'm full of myself.

Answer 2

I have 3 RES and they are all growing at their own pace.
a good clean environment with enough room to roam and a basking section. I got a few pieces of slate and made an easy ramp to be able to bask, Make sure that the basking bulb is not to hot they don't know enought to get out from under it and then it's too late. I leave mine on (60 watt) about 10 to 12 hrs a day. then I usually take a dish towel and cover the tank to keep in the heat.
Remember turtles are hibernating creatures and if your tank is too cold they will not eat, they cannot digest, so keep it toasty,,, also get yourself a small filtering system, this will keep your tank clean longer adding about a 2 cups of frsh water every other day to keep the level up.
Good luck to you they are a lot of fun to watch. and
isn't Gimmenam full of himself???? I saw alot of helpful tips.

Answer 3

Yes he will grow and u need to get a bigger tank as he grows...well of coarse u need food... probably a ten gallon tank... since he is a red earred slider.... he will need most of his tank to be water... and he will need a spot to get completly out of the water to sun bathe... he will need a heating lanp and a uvb light... a filter and a heater....and some rocks or plastic plants for that nature effect.... you can ask someone to help u find all this stuff at a pet store.

Answer 4

You got some good advice, so I'll just add a little bit.

1. Good websites are FAR better than good books. Books become rapidly outdated and never seem to address the questions you really have. (Gimmeanam is, in my opinion, not accurate in this advice- I rarely recommend anyone buy a book on any subject, but I often recommend they borrow books at the library to get started!)

2. My two favorite sites for Red-ears are http://www.austinsturtlepage.com and http://www.redearslider.com

3. Also try the great forum at http://www.turtleforum.com

Answer 5

i have a baby red ear Slider they do grow and u will need a heater for them a uvb light a filter some gravel and a basking area for it to rest and stuff...the tank shouldnt be soo small so get like a 5 1/2 gallon or 10 gallon for now but in the future you will need a bigger tank. also to prevent soft shells give it turtle blocks and clean the tank EVERY TWO DAYS! since it is a baby.

Answer 6

I own an RES turtle as well this site should help you out lots of tips and info and they can get quite large and live a very long life mine is already bigger then my fist and 5 years old
http://www.redearslider.com/

Answer 7

I used to own one his name was Senior Tortuga he was kewl, we let him in our bath and he walked around our house. But we had to get rid of him cause we moved :(