What is the best foods and meds for a Red slider turtle ? I need some instructions for proper care?

Question

He is 6 inches long now.

Answer 1

You aren't doing too badly... he's 6". :)

Best foods is more leafy greens. Too much proteined foods will cause shell deformities, stress on the organs and shortened life. Do not feed pellets everyday. If you have been start feeding twice a week for a 6" turtle. Feed about as much as it will fit in its head.

Feed a variety of leafy greens, all aquatic plants are good, dandelions is the best land plant. Stay away from lettuces. Feed some fruits (e.g., grapes, strawberries, melons, etc.)occasionally, a few times a month only, since they cannot digest the fruits very well. However, the fruits provide extra source of vitamins and trace minerals. Shave some carrots in once a month, to provide extra vitamin A and beta carotene, both are very important. Too much carrots will cause mineral absorption problems.

Here is a VERY detailed care sheet for RES from Austin's Turtle Page:
http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Care/caresheet-red_ear_slider.htm


Cheers,
JJ

Answer 2

The Red-eared Slider (Trachemys scripta elegans) is a semi-aquatic turtle (terrapin) belonging to the family Emydidae.

Red Ear Sliders are omnivores who can be fed a variety of foods including plant and animal material. The range of food can include pellets, aquatic plants, vegetables, animal protein, as well as the occasional supplement. Calcium (for shell health) can be supplemented by adding pieces of cuttlebone to the diet. The diet of a RES should consist of a commercially made pellet(25% or less), animal protein (25%) or less, and vegetation (50% or more), of which there are many types and varieties. Younger turtles tend to be more carnivorous (eat more animal protein) than adults do. As they grow larger and older, they become increasingly herbivorous.

RES need to be in water to swallow since they do not produce saliva. They may take food that's on land but will bring it into the water to consume it. Furthermore, feeding a RES in a separate container will create a cleaner tank that will require less frequent cleaning and water changes. Doing so would create a healthier environment for the RES and would require less cleaning maintenance. Even so, the water must be partially changed every 1-2 weeks, and a full cleaning must occur every 1-2 months.

To keep a healthy RES the water temperature must be about 75°F-86°F. If it is too cold, the turtle will become inactive, and will likely die. To maintain the temperature, use a water heater. Fully submersible heaters are better, but they take up room in the aquarium..

Water filtration and quality are also major aspects of a well-maintained environment. Since captive RES eat, sleep and produce waste in the limited amount of water they are in, it is critical to have well-cycled and filtered water. Clean water greatly reduces the instances of infection, algae and fungal growth. The presence and build-up of harmful bacteria and waste should be monitored regularly.

Another requirement is that the basking area be equipped with a heat lamp, and UVA and UVB light (it is possible to find bulbs that give off heat, UVA, and UVB). The UVB light mimics the sun and gives the turtle the vitamins it needs to metabolize calcium and maintain shell health.

Answer 3

think of lower back. you like a pair of hundred funds in basic terms to get all started taking good care of a RES and an grownup female could at last require something bath-sized all the way by using herself. a 10-gallon tank could be too small for the turtles they sell at Petco; you may desire approximately 40 gallons or a wading pool in basic terms to start. you may evaluate examining a e book by using De Vosjoli on RES and different aquatic turtles. Many puppy shops carry it and it could shop you its fee in unneeded equipment in an prolonged time.

Answer 4

Medication? Is it sick? How can anyone suggest medication if it isn't sick and/or you don't tell us what is wrong with it! Food should be varied, switching brands of prepared foods on a regular basis is a good idea, and vegetables are good, but stay away from iceburg lettuce.

Answer 5

i have one to. it really does depend on the turtle, personally mine is really a picky eater. you should google "red ear slider" and you can check out different sites. that really helped me. the sites have different info and its all very use full. good luck!

Answer 6

Jello-o, . . . . ask someone at a petsmart or a petco that carries your type of turtle

Answer 7

you also might try http://www.turtlesale.com/home.html i found that to be an excellent site also. i even wrote to them and they will write back to answer your questions.

Answer 8

The sites http://www.austinsturtlepage.com and http://www.redearslider.com has all the answers you need.