ok so I need that Q and also are they nice? Can they be takin out of thier cage to b held? do they have webbed feet? and finally and most imporantly I want a turtle that can b out for a long time i really want a box turtle but I also like these =] and how much does a box turtle cost?
2007-06-23 11:25:30 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Reptiles
srryone more Q witch do u perfer and also how many gallons does the tank they liv in hav to b?
2007-06-23 11:26:53 · update #1
A red eared slider needs 10 gallons of water per square inch of shell. Adult males get to be 9 inches in diameter and females get to be 12 inches in diameter. An adult male needs a 120 gallon tank (90 gallons of water and then some to have a dry basking area) and an adult female needs at least a 150 gallon tank (120 for water and 30 for basking). They are nice but they are not social creatures by nature and so they don't like company (other turtles, and they eat almost anything put into their tank) and do not like to be taken out of their tanks. This is stressful and too much stress can kill them. They can be held but most won't like it and just sit there. They have webbed hind legs and normal front legs. They can NOT be out of their tank for a long time. They need the heat in their tanks to survive. They are cold blooded and will die if they don't have enough heat. The basking area needs to be 90 degrees and the water needs to be 75 degrees. The turtle itself only cost about $20 but I bought my 120 gallon tank and stand for $500 (they can't have anything smaller than a 50 gallon, EVER), they need sterile river rocks that are large enough they can't be swallowed (causes digestive problems) which can be free or up to $50, a filter (either for turtle tanks or a fish filter that does 3 times the amount of water in the tank) can cost $200, UVB lighting that stays on for 12 hours (light is only $20 but then you have a power bill too), UVA/heat lamp that stays on for 12 hours (lighting is only $15 but then again the power bill), a heater ($30), filter changes (weekly) ($10), food (live and pelets) (I average about $10 a month), and not only is the cost a factor but they need a lot of your time. They need to have extra food removed from their tank daily, to be fed daily as juveniles and then every other to every 3 days as adults, weekly tank cleanings and filter changes, and you need to be aware of diseases and things they can get. They can carry salmonilla but if you wash your hands have nothing to worry about. They have poor immune systems so they can easily become ill. Example: no basking area creates shell rot which is deadly; no UVB lighting creates calcium difeciency which is also deadly; too much food creates obesity (and they beg so this is pretty common); and another example is metabolic bone disease which is gained by a lack in vitamin D3 which is produced by UVB lighting. This is the very very minimal for red eared sliders. You have to have a love for them especially since they have a 20 year + life expectancy if properly cared for.
Box turtles, since I've never had one, I don't know much about but I do know that they also are high maintance. I've seen them for sale between $50 and $150.
2007-06-23 11:45:33 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Red eared sliders need water and a place to come out of the water and sun themselves. This requires a good size tank
and they have webbed feet for swimming.
They can be messy eaters and the tank fouls very easily. I myself like box turtles and have had one for a long time. They also like to sun themselves and they do not have webbed feet. They like a shallow pool to drink and sometimes wade in but they do not swim. They like vegetables, greens and some fruit and seem to be very friendly.
The prices vary with different kinds of tortoises so check with your local pet stores.
2007-06-23 11:34:55 · answer #2 · answered by simbasega 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Red eared slider turtles are amphibians which means that they live on both land and water. If you have your turtle in just an aquarium with only water you need to put a floating dock or a rock large enough for him to get up on and a heating lamp. I would suggest that you put the heating lamp over the rock because they need the heat for energy and they enjoy "sunbathing". I have a baby RES turtle and I can hold him, just make sure that when you do you always wash your hands afterwards because baby RES turtles can carry salmonella. And yes they do have webbed feet because they are swimmers. I'm sorry I can't help you out about box turtles because I have never owned one nor researched anything about them. I hope my answer helped!
2007-06-23 11:37:19 · answer #3 · answered by Super Mom 1 · 0⤊ 3⤋
They are aquatic, but require basking sites.
They do not like to be held.
They have webbed feet.
They should be kept in their enclosure except when it's being cleaned, but that's true of box turtles as well.
Box turtles are a poor choice for a beginner.
Red ears are primarily carnivorous; you won't have much luck getting them to eat "vegetables, greens and some fruit" as one poster erroneously suggested.
They are reptiles, not amphibians, "Turtle Lady".
You really need to read some books on basic turtle care before you make a decision, because you'll get very LITTLE useful advice here.
2007-06-23 15:36:20 · answer #4 · answered by markwedloe 4 · 4⤊ 1⤋
I have 2 red eared sliders, and they are currently living in a 75 gallon tank. They have a special place to sun themselves. It is reccommended that however long their shells are that is ATLEAST how many inches of water they should be in. they can be picked up and petted. (only one of mine likes that). However, we bought them a baby pool and put them in it during the day (w/shade)- they love it! plus, my turtles eat feeder fish, turtle pellets, and some vegetation. a good filter helps keep the water clean.
hope this helps!
2007-06-23 11:48:01 · answer #5 · answered by lilpadiddle 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have had my RES for 13 years! Shelly (original for a turtle name huh!) loves to come out the tank and sit with me. She actually will rest on my chest and take a nap. She will stretch her head and beg to be petted. I was very surprised how social she is! Her tank is in the living room and she splashes anytime someone comes in the door. Pretty fun pet!
2007-06-24 10:36:45 · answer #6 · answered by Redbird 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
NO!!!!! You need to have a rock or "turtle dock" for them. their tank should have the bottom filled with and inch or two of water, then have about 1/4 of it land of some sort. rocks, sand, dock, whatever. they need some type of land.
2007-06-23 12:18:13 · answer #7 · answered by apollo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No they need a basking area. I have I adult painted, 1 baby RES, 1 baby yellow belly, and 1 baby MAP
2007-06-23 19:47:47 · answer #8 · answered by AnimalManiac 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
www.austinsturtlepage.com or http://boxturtlesite.org
2007-06-23 11:43:45 · answer #9 · answered by KimbeeJ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋