RES Turtle?

Question

Do RES Turtles stay in water?

Can you feed your RES Turtles fish food?

Answer 1

Yes, RES live in water. They need water to swallow, sleep, mate and frolic in. They need a basking area to completely dry off (rock or log) or else if they stay in water all the time, they will develop fungus on the shell or skin. In the wild, female RES will come on land to lay her eggs.

Feeding fish food is absolutely fine... Fish food is usually mostly shrimp, while turtle pellets is usually primarily corn and chicken by-products. Whatever you feed, fish food or turtle pellets, this should only be done 3-4 times a week (a pinch each time, about the size it would fit in the turtle's head). Everyday drop in leafy greens like dandelion, very nutritious with a positive Calcium:Phosporus ratio, and any aquatic plant (duckweed, water lettuce, anacharis). If you have a pond nearby, you can scoop some out for free. Once a week or occasionally, you can feed proteined foods like fish, shrimp, snails, insects worms, etc.

Contrary to popular belief RES are not solely carnivorous and hatchlings will take in vegetable matter when provided, as like in nature. RES are like kids. Of course they prefer hamburger to salad, but if you offer it to them, they will eat it. It may take some time.

Check out these excellent links:
http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Care/care.htm
http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Care/caresheet-red_ear_slider.htm
http://www.turtleforum.com

Answer 2

No they don't stay in the water. They NEED (its not optional) a land area to dry themselves and bask. If the babies can't get completely up and out of the water they can and will drown. And I advise NOT feeding them fish food. The first person who answered said they put goldfish flakes in for their fish and the turtles eat it. Well I have goldfish also and I feed pellets, crickets, and greens. And believe it or not the fish eat all those things. even the crickets! and they are the large crickets. Its kind of wierd. If you are asking about the food because somebody fed that to your turtles and you are worried then dont worry about it they will be fine. Not a good choice to live off of but once wont hurt. And if thats all you can find then Wal*Mart sells a turtle pellet food that is good for them and they like it. The brand is Werdely (sp?). Any more questions go ahead and email me (its on my Q&A page)

Answer 3

They are considered semi aquatic turtles, meaning they are going to spend a considerable amount of time in the water. However, they do need some land and a basking area outside of the water to dry off in.

As for the fish food, I would not recommend it. Turtle pellets are cheap and easy to obtain and can be supplemented with lettuce and other fruit with little expense.

Hope this helps!

Answer 4

I relatively have a toddler turtle and had to get a 2nd one, yet i grew to become into informed (and found out later) that turtles prefer to be by myself and that they have an inclination to combat over territory. What i understand is that your tank is very small! you like a minimum of a 60 gallon tank at this factor. My turtle is nearly a million inch (in line with danger little greater desirable) and lives in a 20 gallon tank. the rule of thumb is you like 10 gallons in line with a million inch of turtle length. So if I have been you i might purchase an excellent greater desirable tank than 30. they're suffering in there :(

Answer 5

i have 2 red earred sliders and they have a mostly aqautice tank with access to dry land when they feel they need it. most of the time they do stay in the water. i have gold fish in there with them. i have turtle food and fish flakes, the turtles eat both there food as well as the fish flakes.

Answer 6

That may not be exacly wise...I can give you a list of things the CAN eat....


Earthworms, Redworms, Blackworms, Wax Worms, Mosquito larvea, Guppies, Commercial turtle food, Romain Lettuce, Kale, Carrot Tops, Red Cabbage, Zucchini, Yellow Squash, Sweet Potatos, Mixed Veggies, Banan, Mango, Cantaloupe, Watermelon, Apple, Pear, Grapes (Split), Strawberrys


I hope that helped...

-Eric

Answer 7

No and No. See www.austinsturtlepage.com for great care info.