Question about the RED EARED SLIDER...?

Question

Is it okay and safe to keep them outside in water? Can it get too cold for them? Do they always stay underwater?

Answer 1

they like quiet waters, abundant vegetation, and love basking (sun bathing). the water temperature should be 26-28C (79-82F) and air temp 26-32C (79-90F). they can only eat underwater. hibernation is not needed even to breed

Answer 2

We have a red eared slider, and he spends most of the day basking under his lamp. He will plop into the water at various times, and quite often he is poking around the rocks looking for food.

I would suspect that it is okay for it to stay outdoors, however, there needs to be a place where it can burrow if it gets too cold. I'm only speculating on this, because I know that box turtles burrow during the winter. It only makes sense to me that therefore red eard sliders have to keep warm too.

Answer 3

The last time I had one of these turtles was when I lived in North Carolina years ago. They are native to that area and it does get cold there from time to time so they can survive outside if the climate isn't too harsh. As for staying underwater, they will be there for extended periods of time when they are sleeping and only surface occasionally to breathe. They do like to pull themselves out of the water during the day to bask in the sun.

Answer 4

They don't always stay in the water. They usually come out of the water and bask in the sun or under a basking lamp in a fish tank.

Yes, red-eared sliders can live outside. There are a bunch at the pond behind the University of Texas, main building. Just make sure there are rocks for them to climb out of the water and bask.

Depending on what state you are in, it may be too cold. But if you live in LA, Houston or Austin, it will be fine to keep them outside.

Answer 5

http://www.redearslider.com/hibernation.html

I am plagarizing here:

Hibernation (reptiles technically brumate) is a torpid period for the Red Ear Slider that occurs during the winter months. It is not necessary to allow captive RES to hibernate and is not recommended. You should never force a slider into hibernation. When your turtles are kept indoors year-round, there is probably nothing to change. If you keep your RES outdoors, you will need to bring them inside if your area experiences cold winters or temperatures.

Allowing your slider(s) to hibernate is dangerous for several reasons. You may lack the experience to adequately do so.
You probably do not have an adequate habitat setup for turtle hibernation. Young and unhealthy turtles may be too weak.
Your turtle is unprepared for it. Your geographical location may be unsuitable. RES that do hibernate do so in the thick leafy and muddy bottoms of ponds that are several feet deep and have a large surface area. They do not surface for oxygen during this time but are able to absorb oxygen through the membranes of mouths, throats and cloaca. At lower depths, water should not be able to freeze or fluctuate as the cold temperature causes reduced oxygen and energy use. As a result, well-oxygenated water and depth are necessities. Most artificial and pre-formed ponds do not offer sufficient depth or conditions to achieve proper hibernation. This is another example why minimum water temperatures must be maintained or they can become a hazard. A slider will become less active and may refuse to eat if water temperatures are too cold but not cold enough to hibernate. This is referred to as a “death zone” and read this section for more information. A good water temperature for active RES is 75-78 degrees Fahrenheit or 24-26 degrees Celsius.

RES have been found hibernating in unusual places. For instance, they have been found under hollow logs and stumps. It is not exactly known if they are hibernating or in a semi-torpid state, however they are using more energy and cannot stay in this dormancy for periods as long as normal underwater hibernation. They are also more vulnerable to predators or temperature changes.

The information presented is considered general since we do not recommend natural or artificial (e.g., induced or forced) hibernation. If you do believe you have the proper conditions, please contact a local reptile or herp organization for more information and experiences on captive sliders in your region.

Tortoise Reserve - The Complexities of Turtle Hibernation
http://www.tortoisereserve.org/Sundry/Hibernate_Body2.html

Anapsid - Hibernation Guidelines for Turtles and Tortoises
http://www.anapsid.org/hibernation.html

Austins Turtle Page - Hibernation
http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Articles/danas.htm

Answer 6

I think it all depends on where you live. I live in Michigan and it gets way too cold here in the fall at night and definitely during the winter. I have 2 RES and they are in a tank in my house year round. They love to get out of the water and bask in the sun so if you decided to leave them outside, make sure they have a way to get out of the water so they can enjoy the sun.