Some experts recommend fresh fruits such as bananas, berries, apples, and melon. However, this isn’t a natural staple in the red-eared sliders diet, and it may cause diarrhea. If you offer any fruit at all, limit it to very small quantities as a special treat.
What human food can red-eared sliders eat?
What do red-eared sliders eat? Juveniles and adults can be fed a base diet of commercially available pellets or sticks that are made for aquatic turtles, along with vegetable matter such as dark leafy greens (dandelion, mustard and collard greens with chopped broccoli, carrots, squash and green beans).
What can red-eared sliders not eat?
Avoid These Red-Eared Slider Foods
- Feeder fish.
- Crickets.
- Earthworms.
- Crayfish.
- Ghost shrimp.
- Krill.
Can red-eared sliders eat strawberries?
Yes, strawberries are a good part of a balanced turtle diet. Other food items can include: aquatic turtle pellets, vegetables and feeder fish.
What fruits can I feed my turtle?
Fruit should be fed more sparingly than vegetables, since they are often preferred by box turtles over vegetables and tend to be less nutritious. Fruits to offer include apples, pears, bananas (with skin), mango, grapes, star fruit, raisins, peaches, tomato, guava, kiwis, and melons. Fruits that are particularly …
How long do red-eared sliders live?
30 years
Do red-eared sliders like to be held?
As much as you want to, don’t play with your turtle as you would a pet cat or other animal. Turtles generally do not like touched or held. This causes lots of stress and anxiety. If you do need to pick up your baby red-eared slider, do it by scooping it so that it is sitting on your hand.
Do turtles cry?
Turtles cry a lot
…but not because they’re upset. Instead, turtles have glands that help them remove excess salt from their eyes. It might look like a turtle is crying, but really it’s just taking care of itself!
Should I feed My red-eared slider everyday?
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.
Can red-eared sliders eat bananas?
Some experts recommend fresh fruits such as bananas, berries, apples, and melon. However, this isn’t a natural staple in the red-eared sliders diet, and it may cause diarrhea. If you offer any fruit at all, limit it to very small quantities as a special treat. Don’t feed frozen fish, or at least not very often.
What foods are poisonous to turtles?
Potato leaves contain toxic compounds – neither you nor your box turtle should eat them.
- The leaves of rhubarb, potato and tobacco plants.
- Avocado peel, seeds and leaves.
- Tomato leaves and vines.
- Poison ivy.
Can red-eared sliders eat grapes?
Well, the answer is yes, red-eared turtles are fond of having grapes. However, as much as they love to eat grapes, you must not forget that grapes come with high sugar content and comprises a lesser amount of calcium than phosphorus.
Can red-eared sliders eat blueberries?
Can Red-Eared Slider Turtles Eat Blueberries? Yes, Sliders too can eat blueberries. However, just like their aquatic cousins, blueberries should be given sparingly in small amounts. But if they’re not too keen about it, don’t feed.
Do red-eared sliders bite?
Red Eared Sliders bite, and the bite can be quite painful. … But it’s highly unlikely because these reptiles don’t bite “just because.” Instead, these reptiles bite if you push them too hard. Thankfully, you can prevent this behavior.
Can red-eared sliders eat watermelon?
Feeding your turtles watermelon is absolutely fine.
Turtles can safely eat watermelons, as well as many different types of fruit. It is a tasty, nutritious, and healthy treat for them.
How long can red-eared sliders go without food?
An adult red-eared slider can go for several months without food. You should ensure that it is healthy and free from any prior health issues, but if the red-eared slider turtle is six months old and below, then all these conditions together with food are mandatory, otherwise, it may not live for a month.
What is the oldest red-eared slider?
Red-Eared Slider Lifespan
Red-eared sliders can be especially long-lived, enjoying a lifespan of well over twenty years. The oldest recorded captive red-eared slider lived to be forty-one years old!
How can I tell if my red-eared slider is dying?
Six Signs That Your Turtle Is Dying
- Increased Basking.
- Lack of Appetite.
- Foaming/Bubbles At The Mouth and/or Nose.
- Lethargy.
- Whistling, Coughing, or Sneezing.
- Lopsided Swimming.
- Respiratory Infection.
- Shell Rot.
Why is it illegal to have a red-eared slider?
Officials emphasized that it is illegal for owners of red-eared slider turtles to release them into the wild, because they are an invasive species in Delaware. Releasing non-native animals, as well as any captive animal, into the wild creates a risk of spreading diseases to the native population.
Do turtles get lonely?
Do pet turtles get lonely if they don’t have a companion? No! The fact is that turtles will be totally fine on their own. They don’t need to share a tank with another turtle to be happy and content, and you don’t need to worry about turtle loneliness!
Can turtles feel their shell?
Turtles are unable to remove their shells because they are connected to it by their spine. Because of this, the spinal cords nerve endings run through the surface of the shell and give the turtle the ability to feel contact when something touches it. This goes for all species of turtles!
Do turtles like their heads rubbed?
Turtles can feel touch and pressure through their shells in much the same way we feel it through our fingernails. Many sociable turtles enjoy having their heads rubbed, while others like for their shells to be rubbed or scratched! Try using a soft brush to rub a turtle’s shell.
Do turtles have a voice?
While turtles don’t have vocal cords, they are still capable of producing a wide range of noises and sounds. … Turtles communicate with each other and even express emotions such as fear through sounds. Some turtles cluck like chickens, hiss and even produce high-pitched whining sounds.
Can turtles hear us?
Hearing on Land
A person’s outer ear is shaped to help draw sounds in toward the outer ear, but turtles have no outer ear. … The skin flaps allow vibrations and low-frequency sounds in the ear canal — so the turtles can hear to some extent, but their hearing isn’t sensitive.
How big do red eared sliders get in captivity?
Full grown adults that have been raised with plenty of space available to them can reach 12 inches in length, with females usually being larger in size. There are rare instances of adult red-eared sliders growing larger than 12 inches. Red-eared sliders can live a long life in captivity.
Can fish live with red-eared sliders?
Red ear sliders will try to eat most fish kept with them. In a large habitat, fish like koi may survive with red ear sliders, though the turtles may nip their fins. … Goldfish and minnows are often kept with turtles because of their low cost, if they are eaten, they can easily and affordably be replaced.
How old is my red eared slider turtle?
There’s no definitive method to know the exact age, but certain signs help make an educated guess. The size and color of the carapace, the number of rings in the turtle’s belly, and examining the size of the claws can help to find out a Red-eared slider turtle’s tentative age.
How do I know if my red eared slider is healthy?
Red-eared sliders should be full-bodied and when you pick them up they shouldn’t feel like an empty shell. On the other hand, they should not have rolls of skin and fat around their legs, either. Their shells should be intact and smooth. Look at the skin and shell more closely.
Can red-eared sliders eat cucumber?
The best way to keep your turtle healthy is to offer them a wide variety of different meats, fruits, and vegetables throughout the week to make sure that all their nutritional needs are met. Cucumbers can be an excellent addition to any turtle’s diet, assuming that the turtle likes them.
Can red-eared sliders eat oranges?
Can Red-Eared Sliders Eat Oranges? Just like Painted turtles, Sliders don’t get to eat citrus fruits in the wild. Thus, their digestive system is most probably not used to it. Yes, they can eat oranges in moderation, but let it be if they don’t seem interested.
What vegetables can slider turtles eat?
The best veggies are chopped dark leafy greens such as kale, collard, and mustard greens, Dr. Starkey says. Shredded carrots, squash, and zucchini are great foods that turtles can eat, too. You can also go with edible aquatic vegetation such as water lettuce, water hyacinth, and duckweed.
Can turtles eat junk food?
Avoid regular feeding of fatty foods.
If a turtle eats too much fat, it can contribute to kidney problems and cause obesity.
What can turtles eat at home?
Fresh Foods to Feed Your Pet Turtle
- Source Protein: Boiled eggs, mealworms, snails, crickets, earthworms.
- Vegetables: Corn, beans, beets, carrots, peas, squash, yams.
- Greens: Carrot tops, lettuce, collard greens, kale, spinach.
- Fruits: Apples, grapes, strawberries, cantaloupe, banana, kiwi, mango, tomato.
Can turtles eat eggs?
Can turtles eat eggs? Yes, turtles can eat hard-boiled eggs. Refrain from giving half-boiled or raw eggs since they can contain the salmonella virus. Even when giving hard-boiled eggs, you should channel caution since they’re high in protein.
Can turtles eat grass?
Yes, and the totally land turtles, tortoises, eat grass predominantly. Water turtles, while mostly carnivorous or omnivorous when young, become more vegetarian as they age. Even some sea turtles eat mostly sea grass.
Can turtles eat bread?
The answer is—bread is non-toxic to turtles, but it has no valuable content whatsoever. So, your turtles shouldn’t eat bread. However, if they nabbed a small section, they will be okay.
Can turtles eat cherries?
Yes, turtles can eat cherries. They contain moderate amounts of vitamin A and calcium – nutrients imperative to turtles. However, cherries are also high in sugar and contain malic acid. Thus, you should only give cherries as occasional treats once in a while.
Can turtles eat broccoli?
Turtles will most certainly eat broccoli if it’s offered to them, but this does not mean they should eat it. … There are several common vegetables that should not be given to turtles, and surprisingly, broccoli is one of them.
Can turtles have blackberries?
REGULARLY – Grapes, apples, fresh figs, blackberries, raspberries, mulberries, peaches, crabapples, strawberries, cantaloupe, kiwis, cherries and persimmons, banana and most other fruits.
Do raccoons eat turtles?
Numerous mammals prey on turtles. Raccoons are capable predators and will normally carry a turtle to a safe area where they can eat it without being disturbed. … Opossums, weasels, skunks and ferrets will all kill turtles if given the opportunity.
How long does it take a red-eared slider to full grown?
The most common pet turtle is a red eared slider, so I’ll go off of that! A red eared slider will usually be at full size at around 5–10 years old but growth will definitely slow down after 5. They live up to 50 years in proper conditions. At full size you should have 10 gallons for every inch of their shell.
How often do red-eared sliders sleep?
Most sliders sleep for 3 to 7 hours every night. This leaves them plenty of time to swim and explore their surrounding during the day. But this is not the case of every slider, as some can even sleep for up to 12 hours a day.
How long can I keep my red-eared slider out of water?
You must know by now that Red Eared Sliders cannot survive for more than a week outside of water. However, there are instances when it can go up to six months. This only happens during winter, when the creature is brumating.
Can turtles eat pineapple?
Yes, turtles can eat pineapple once in a while in tiny amounts. It contains vitamin A and the ideal calcium: phosphorus ratio turtles need. However, turtles can’t handle the high levels of sugar and acids present in pineapple. Thus, only give pineapples as treats sparingly.
Do turtles like water?
They require a habitat with plenty of clean water for swimming as well as dry land where they can rest, hide and bask in the sun. A tank that can hold at least 40 gallons should give your pet turtle an adequate amount of room to move around in.
Do turtles like music?
There is no scientific proof that turtles and tortoises actually like music. On the flip side, there is no proof that they dislike music either. But some turtles and tortoises do grow to respond to certain songs that their owners play often. … Some tortoises may like music while others won’t.
Do turtles need to bask?
Basking is essential for the turtle’s health. It allows the turtle to completely dry out and warm up. This makes it more difficult for fungal infections to develop because fungus needs moisture to grow.
Do red-eared sliders sleep in water?
Behavior: They are cold-blooded and must leave the water to sunbathe in order to regulate their body temperature. 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.
Can you leave a turtle alone for a week?
Anything can go wrong if a tank is left alone. As best you can, it’s never a good idea to leave your turtle without any food for more than a few weeks. Especially if it has become accustomed to this, and more so when it is still young and growing.