Slider Turtles become excellent pets but keeping them in healthy states requires commitment, ample time and recurring expenses.

By: http://www.petsdo.com/pets/slider-turtle

Slider Turtles are medium sized reptiles, found in Southern USA centered between Illinois to Gulf of Mexico and between the East Coast to Western Texas. They can grow up to 12 inches in length and are known to be aquatic and strong swimmers. They live in marshes, ponds and slow moving water bodies where there is lot of vegetation. In the wild, they are commonly found basking on rocks, logs or other surfaces above water. As they are cold blooded reptiles, they rely on external heat for warmth. They bask in the sunlight during the summer months and burrow into the earth and hibernate during winter.

Slider Turtles are of various species. Some of their shells are green colored with bright yellow stripes. But most commonly ones kept as pets are the Red Slider Turtles. A patch of red behind each eye gives them the Red Eyed Slider name, but all turtles do not have this feature. Some have red patch on their head. Shells of baby turtles may be of green, white, yellow or red. As the turtle ages, the patches disappear and shells become uniformly dark olive green or greenish brown. They have webbed feet and strong claws. The life span of turtles range between 50 to 70 years.

Slider Turtles are carnivores when young but with age become omnivorous. Generally meat and plant based diet is their best source of food. Most of them have fixed tongue and prefer eating their food in water. These turtles were at the heart of the “Salmonella scare” back in the 70s when children contacted the disease by holding them. If these are to be kept as pets, one has to take severe precaution against such infections.

Today, owing to pet trading, these species are commonly found in various parts of the world. As pets, they may be kept in glass aquariums where water capacity is around 55 gallons. This is specially for the adult turtles. The aquarium substrate consists of gravel which helps to form smooth slopes. These containers need to be covered with tight fitting screen and smooth rocks may be placed strategically for use as basking sites.

The aquarium requires temperature of 75 degrees Fahrenheit. If the room temperature is cooler, then infrared bulb or room heater may be placed. The aquarium must be cleaned at regular intervals and water replaced. Fresh water should be de-chlorinated. The pets must be fed regularly in the open before moving them back to the container. To keep them in good health, they need warmth, clean water and proper diet. They need to be handled gently as they tend to scratch if disturbed. From the wild to being pets, they acclimatize to the new environment by hiding in their shells for the first seven days or so.