Slider Turtles: What They Like And Why

Slider turtles, also known as pond sliders, are semi-aquatic turtles native to North America. They are a popular choice for pets due to their bright colours and patterns, ease of care, and affordability. In the wild, they inhabit calm waters such as ponds, lakes, swamps, creeks, and slow-moving rivers, where they can easily access basking spots to regulate their body temperature. As their name suggests, slider turtles are known for their ability to quickly slide off rocks and logs into the water when they feel threatened. While they are generally friendly and fun to care for, they can be invasive in ecosystems where they are not native, outcompeting native turtle species for resources.

Food and diet

Red-eared slider turtles are omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and animals. As juveniles, they are mainly carnivorous and become more omnivorous as they age. Young turtles eat more animal protein, so babies should start with a diet that's more on the carnivorous side. However, it is still a good idea to offer vegetation to young turtles, as this may make them less likely to shy away from trying vegetation as they get older.

The carnivorous portion of their diet should consist of high-grade commercial turtle or fish pellets, as well as a variety of invertebrates and vertebrates. Pelleted foods come in several sizes. Larger pellets tend to float well and are attractive to large turtles, whereas smaller pellets tend to sink quickly and are generally accepted by juveniles and small turtles. Some veterinary-recommended brands are Flukers®, Mazuri®, and ZooMed®.

Aquatic turtles in the wild eat fish, and "feeder fish" may be purchased from pet stores or bait stores to feed pet turtles. Depending on the size of the turtle, fish such as goldfish, guppies, or minnows may be offered. Feeding live fish can provide your turtle with mental stimulation and exercise that comes with the challenge of chasing and catching its dinner. Fish also can be a good source of calcium for turtles if they eat the entire fish, bones and all. However, feeder fish have been implicated as carriers of parasites and bacteria that can infect turtles, so they should be given infrequently.

Smelt, mackerel, and other oily fish should be fed sparingly or avoided altogether, as their high-fat content may upset nutritional balance and lead to vitamin E deficiencies. A predominantly fish-based diet may also lead to a thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency, so fish should only be offered as a small portion of aquatic turtles' diets.

Depending on the size of the turtle, amphibians such as tadpoles and frogs can be offered. Earthworms, snails, slugs, beetles, grasshoppers, moths, crickets, mealworms, wax worms, and other insects offer good nutritional content as well. Feeding wild-caught fish and amphibians is not recommended, as they may contain parasites and other infectious organisms that may affect the turtle.

The plant portion of the diet should be vegetables, preferably ones that float and can be left in the water for the turtle to nibble throughout the day. Desirable vegetables include dark, leafy greens such as romaine lettuce, collard greens, mustard greens, carrot tops, endive, Swiss chard, kale, parsley, green beans, dandelion greens, turnip greens, and clover. Avoid iceberg or head lettuce, as it is composed mostly of water and contains very little nutritional value. Scoop any leftover food out of the tank daily to promote proper hygiene.

The key to feeding turtles is to provide variety, as many turtles get bored and stop eating if they are fed the same foods day after day. Many aquatic turtles are drawn to the colour red, so shredded red bell pepper (rich in vitamin A) is also good to offer. Safe, non-toxic aquatic plants, such as water hyacinth, water lilies, Elodea, or duckweed, can be placed in the tank. Always check the safety of plants before offering them to your turtle to be sure they are non-toxic.

Feeding frequency depends on the age and size of the turtle. Smaller or juvenile turtles, in good health, 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.

Some veterinarians suggest adding a balanced, commercially available multivitamin once per week, with an additional source of calcium, such as a calcium block or cuttlebone, twice a week.

Habitat

Pond slider turtles are native to North America, specifically the southern half of the United States, Central America, and Mexico. They are commonly found in the wild in the states of Florida, Texas, Alabama, Indiana, Iowa, Arkansas, California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Delaware, among others. Their range also extends south through Mexico and Central America to Venezuela in South America.

Pond sliders are semi-aquatic turtles, meaning they live in the water and on land. They can be found in permanent bodies of water such as lakes, swamps, ponds, rivers, and streams. They prefer still, calm, or slow-moving waters with muddy bottoms and abundant aquatic plants and basking sites. They can also be found in marshes, creeks, and estuaries.

In nature, pond sliders inhabit areas with a source of warm water that they can easily climb out of to sunbathe and warm up in the sun. They require a thermal gradient in the air temperature, which, in the wild, is created by things like tree limbs and leaves that create different temperature areas to bask in based on shadows. They are often found basking in groups on logs and rocks, and they get their name "slider" from their habit of sliding off their basking spots into the water to escape predators.

Pond sliders kept as pets can be housed in an aquarium, with a minimum tank size of 40 gallons for turtles that are 4-8 inches long, and a minimum of 180 gallons for larger turtles. The water temperature should be maintained at 75-80°F, with a basking spot temperature of 85-95°F. The ambient temperature of the room should be around 75°F. A powerful filter is necessary to keep the water clean and prevent infections.

In the wild, pond sliders are omnivores, eating both plant matter and animals. Their diet includes aquatic insects, snails, slugs, tadpoles, crawfish, small fish, shrimp, worms, grubs, and sometimes carrion. They also eat plants such as algae, duckweed, arrowhead, water lilies, and hyacinths.

Behaviour

Slider turtles are native to North America, commonly found in the southern half of the United States and Central America. They are semi-aquatic and can be found in permanent bodies of water such as lakes, swamps, ponds, rivers, and streams. They get their name from their behaviour of sliding off their basking spots into the water to escape predators. They are often found basking on logs and rocks around water bodies.

Slider turtles are omnivores and scavengers, eating plant matter, insects, fish, and worms. They are known to be hearty eaters and will eat almost anything offered to them, including commercial aquatic turtle food, leafy greens, insects, aquatic snails, fish, and small mice.

In the wild, slider turtles are often found sunbathing in groups or even on top of each other. They require abundant aquatic plants, which are the main food source for adults. Turtles in the wild stay close to water unless they are searching for a new habitat or when females leave to lay their eggs.

Slider turtles are popular pets due to their attractive nature, affordability, and ease of care. They are friendly and fun to care for, often swimming up to their keepers expecting to be fed. However, it is not advisable to hold them as they can kick and scratch when pulled out of the water.

In captivity, slider turtles require a large aquatic environment, with a dry basking site out of the water to keep their skin and shell healthy. They also need access to UV lighting and a thermal gradient in the air temperature to replicate their natural environment.

Lifespan

Pond slider turtles are native to North America and are a popular choice as pets. They are known for their bright colours and patterns, as well as their ease of care. The three most common subspecies are the red-eared slider, the Cumberland slider, and the yellow-bellied slider.

The lifespan of slider turtles varies depending on the subspecies and whether they are in captivity or in the wild. In general, slider turtles can live for a long time, with a lifespan of up to 50 years in captivity, although most captive pond sliders won't live past 42 years.

The red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans) is the most common type of pond slider and is the most popular pet turtle in the United States and around the world. In the wild, red-eared sliders typically live between 20 and 40 years, although some individuals can live for more than 40 years. Their lifespan is influenced by the quality of their living environment. As pets, red-eared sliders that survive their first year or two can be expected to live for around 30 years.

The Cumberland slider (Trachemys scripta troostii) has a lifespan of 40 to 50 years. This subspecies is native to the Tennessee and Mississippi River drainage areas and the southeast of North America.

The yellow-bellied slider (Trachemys scripta scripta) has a lifespan of 20 to 40 years. This subspecies is native to the southern region of the United States, including states such as Georgia, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Florida.

The big bend slider (Trachemys Gaigeae) is another subspecies of pond slider, with a lifespan of 20 to 30 years. This subspecies is native to New Mexico and Texas and is listed as vulnerable, with a declining population.

Overall, pond slider turtles have a relatively long lifespan, especially when compared to other pet species. Their lifespan is influenced by factors such as their living environment, diet, and access to proper veterinary care.

Health

Slider turtles are susceptible to various health issues, and it is important to be aware of these to provide proper care and maintain the health of your pet turtle.

Respiratory infections are a common issue, often caused by poor temperature control and vitamin A deficiency. Symptoms include wheezing, difficulty breathing, discharge from the mouth, nose, and eyes, and sneezing. Maintaining the correct temperature can help prevent respiratory infections, but if symptoms persist, it is best to consult a veterinarian.

Parasitic infections are another concern, especially when wild turtles are introduced to captive-bred turtles, or when hygiene is poor. Common parasites include nematodes, tapeworms, flukes, and flagellate organisms. Symptoms of parasitic infections include diarrhoea, vomiting, weight loss, and the passing of undigested food. It is recommended to consult a veterinarian for guidance on treating GI tract parasites.

Injuries can also occur, especially in enclosures with sharp edges or when multiple turtles are kept together, leading to aggressive behaviour. Treat any cuts or scratches with an iodine solution, and isolate any turtles displaying aggressive behaviour.

Other health issues to monitor include shell rot, ulcers, metabolic bone disease, and eye infections.

It is important to provide a suitable environment, a balanced diet, and proper care to help prevent health issues and ensure the well-being of your slider turtle.

Frequently asked questions