What does a red ear slider look like?

There is alos red ear mark located just behind the eye. The head, neck, and legs are greenish with yellow stripes. The plastron (bottom shell) is yellow with a dark, rounded blotch in each scute. Adult Carapace Length: 5 to 11 inches (12.5 to 27.9 cm).

1. Why is it illegal to have a red eared slider?
2. How do I identify a red eared slider?
3. Are red eared sliders good pets?
4. What happens when a red eared slider bites you?
5. What is the lifespan of a red eared slider?
6. Can I let my red eared slider go?
7. Does the red-eared slider have any predators?
8. How do you control a red-eared slider?
9. Do red eared sliders swim?
10. Do red eared sliders stink?
11. Are red eared sliders harmful?
12. Can a red-eared slider bite your finger off?
13. Can 2 red-eared sliders live together?
14. How often do I feed a red-eared slider?

Why is it illegal to have a red eared slider?

Since 1975, however, selling baby turtles that are less than 4 inches long has been illegal in the U.S., because some reptiles—red-eared sliders included—can harbor salmonella on their skin.

How do I identify a red eared slider?

The most distinguishing characteristic for this species is an elongated, broad red stripe behind the eyes. This is fainter in females and may be completely obscured in hatchlings. Carapace is a yellowish-green with yellow stripes running vertically down the pleural scutes.

Are red eared sliders good pets?

Red eared sliders make great pets if you are willing to commit fully to their care. They can live for over 20 years and grow over 12 inches. This means that a 55 gallon or larger tank would be adequate housing for one turtle and more for multiple turtles.

What happens when a red eared slider bites you?

The turtle's bite is painful, but it's not dangerous or poisonous. The bite does not cause any real damage, although it can hurt kids with tiny fingers. However, it's better to leave the turtle alone if it appears fearful and threatened by you. It mostly happens when you bring it home for the first time.

What is the lifespan of a red eared slider?

Red-eared sliders can live a long life in captivity. When cared for correctly, they can easily live longer than 20 years.

Can I let my red eared slider go?

Realize that simply letting your turtle “loose” in the wild is illegal, unethical, and may cause serious damage to wildlife in your area. Most released sliders will die in the wild, and the survivors may choke out native turtles for food and habitat.

Does the red-eared slider have any predators?

Thanks to their size, bite, and thickness of shell, and adult red-eared slider has little to fear from predators, as long as alligators and crocodiles aren't around. The same cannot be said of their young, however, which are eaten by a variety of predators, including raccoons, skunk, fox, wading birds, and storks.

How do you control a red-eared slider?

Current management involves catching the turtles with baited traps and either sterilizing or euthanizing them, which although effective, is time and resource intensive. Other methods include hunting adults and collecting eggs and hatchlings.

Do red eared sliders swim?

Red-eared sliders are excellent swimmers. At night they sleep underwater, usually resting on the bottom or floating on the surface, using their inflated throat as a flotation aid. Diet: These turtles are omnivorous – eating a variety of aquatic plants, insects, snails, fish, carrion and other small aquatic prey.

Do red eared sliders stink?

Turtle tanks can start to smell swampy if you don't clean them regularly. The smell factor increases exponentially with the turtles population, and the tank size plays a role, too. Regular maintenance not only keeps your tank odor-free, it also keeps your turtles healthy.

Are red eared sliders harmful?

Are red eared sliders dangerous? Red-eared sliders are not dangerous, and won't hurt you. However, the real danger of keeping a red-eared slider turtle comes from the salmonella that young turtles are carrying in.

Can a red-eared slider bite your finger off?

Red-eared sliders may bite -- and the bite can be quite painful. The bite will probably only hurt but may be more damaging to young kids with small fingers. Keep in mind that red-eared sliders won't bite "just because." In most cases, a bite is a result of an animal being mishandled or hurt.

Can 2 red-eared sliders live together?

Multiple Species

As long as the enclosure is large enough, you can house a red-eared slider with other species who share the same housing requirements. But a red-eared slider may outcompete and outgrow the other species. ... If you want to house multiple species, it's best to house them in a large outdoor environment.

How often do I feed a red-eared slider?

How often should I feed my red-eared slider? The frequency of feeding depends on the age and size of your red-eared slider. Smaller or juvenile turtles will eat heartily every day. As they get older, adult turtles may be offered a good-sized portion of food every two or three days.