what to feed a red eared turtle

What Red Eared Slider Turtles Eat

• Fruits. Most fruits are good to eat, but there are some that aren’t good for turtles due to the high amount of phosphorus or citric acid that they contain.
• Vegetables. Just like fruits, vegetables are great for turtles, but there are some that contain a lot of phosphorus.
• Meat. ...
• Processed food. ...
• Pellets. ...

Full Answer

How much do red eared slider turtles cost?

They are reasonably low maintenance and they space not really pretentious as soon as it involves food or temperature. Baby Red-Eared Slider tortoise usually cost between$10 and $15, a juvenile Red-Eared Slider will normally cost about $25. Red-Eared Slider turtles are really common and this renders them the cheapest of every pet turtles.

How do you care for a red eared slider turtle?

Things to remember when feeding your red-eared slider:

• Fresh, clean, water should be available at all times
• Feed juvenile turtles daily. Adults may be fed every other day unless instructed by a veterinarian
• Turtles need to be fed in water
• To help keep the habitat clean, consider offering turtles food in a smaller feeding aquarium

How many eggs does a red eared slider turtle lay?

Red Eared Sliders are some of the most common and beloved pets in the world. If you own a female, it’s important to know how many eggs she will lay and what you can do with them. Red Eared Slider turtles usually lay between 10 and 30 eggs. The eggs are oval in shape and have a softshell.

What is the lifespan of a red eared slider turtle?

In the wild, researches believe red-Eared slider turtles can live up to 50 years, however, this number is much lower for pets. You can expect a well-cared for red-eared slider to live twenty to forty years. Their striking yellow and red markings make for an attractive aquarium or pond inhabitant in your home.

How often do you feed red-eared slider turtles?

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.

How much should I feed red-eared sliders?

A good rule of thumb is to feed as much as your turtle will consume in 15 minutes.

What vegetables can I feed my red-eared slider?

Leafy Greens: Collard greens, mustard greens, dandelion greens, kale, and bok choy. Iceberg lettuce should never be fed because it is not nutritious enough,1 and dark green leafy lettuce such as romaine can be fed sparingly. Make sure you feed items with appropriate calcium-to-phosphorous levels.

Can I feed my red-eared slider carrots?

Adult red-eared sliders can be fed: Dark leafy greens: romaine lettuce, kale, dandelion greens, turnip greens, mustard greens, or swiss chard. Vegetables: bell pepper or carrots.

What Red Eared Slider Turtles Eat

Since red eared slider turtles are omnivorous they can eat a huge variety of ailments. So to make things simpler I will divide them in 5 categories:

How to Properly Feed Your Red Eared Slider Turtle

Over the years I’ve read about countless methods of feeding turtles. But out of all of them two stood out the most, as being the most used and the most efficient. And they are the 15 minutes method and the size of the head method.

Red Eared Slider Turtle Feeding Schedule

The first thing that you have to take into consideration when thinking how often you have to feed your turtle, or when making a feeding schedule, is the age of the turtle. Baby red eared slider turtles need a different amount of food than juveniles, and juveniles need a different amount of food than adult red eared slider turtles.

Occasional Treats

Another thing that I want to address is that you can occasionally give your red eared slider turtle treats. As long as they are not too consistent, you can give your turtle a few live fish, fruits, vegetables or dried insects, without worrying that you disturb their feeding schedule.

Final Thoughts

While red eared slider turtles can eat a lot of things, not all of them can be good for them.

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Red-Eared Slider Turtle Background Information

Don’t let the name fool you… Red-Eared Sliders don’t actually have ears, well, at least not in the way we’re accustomed to! With no outer ear, these turtles rely solely on a middler inner ear structure for their auditory needs.

Red-Eared Slider Turtle Diet & Feeding

The easiest way to keep your turtle happy? By offering a varied diet of course! You see, Red-Eared Sliders could technically survive on pellets alone, but you would be doing their bodies a major disservice by not offering them feeder foods (animal/insect protein), veggies, and vitamins in addition to pellets.

Red-Eared Slider Turtle Habitat & Tank Setup

A happy and well-stimulated Red-Eared Slider will be one that LOVES its tank. You can help promote that homey feeling by adding in fake plants, caves, and other accessories for them to explore and experience.

Red-Eared Slider Turtle General Health Information

Although most Red-Eared Slider health concerns can be prevented with proper diet and husbandry, it is virtually inevitable that at some point or another your turtle may become sick. As such, you’ll want to pay special attention to areas such as the shell, face, and eyes, which are typically where early signs of sickness will be most evident.

Red-Eared Slider Turtle Handling & Bonding

Want to bond with your red-eared slider but aren’t sure how? Fear not! There are plenty of activities you can engage in with your turtle, such as hand feeding, to promote bonding WITHOUT having to pick them up.

Is A Red-Eared Slider Turtle Right for YOU?

If you’re on the hunt for an entertaining medium to large sized aquatic turtle and have the budget to create a large and appropriate tank setup, then consider the Red-Eared Slider Turtle a fabulous option for you!