Red-eared slider: selection criteria, price, and care features

The red-eared slider is the most popular aquatic pet. It's relatively easy to care for and feed, making it a popular pet.

But before getting such a pet, you need to know all the characteristics of the animal, the conditions for keeping it, the selection criteria, and the prices for turtles of different sizes.

Description of the red-eared slider

The red-eared slider draws attention with its beautiful pattern on its shell, limbs, and head. The turtle's plumage is very colorful. It looks like this:

1. The shell, paws and head have an intricate pattern of rings.
2. There are oblong red spots in the ear area.
3. The plumage of young turtles is distinguished by shades of brown, yellow and green.
4. With old age, the pattern fades and can merge into black or dark brown.

The red-eared turtle got its name from the spots located next to its eyes. two red spotsSome subspecies are distinguished by orange or yellow spots.

Turtle shell has a teardrop shape, which allows the animal to swim and move well on land. Its size depends on the turtle's diet and lifestyle. The reptile's head is covered with bony plates, and its feet are covered with thick scales. When threatened, the pet retracts its head and feet into its protective armor.

Baby turtles are only 3 cm long at birth. During their first year, they grow up to 7.5 cm, and then by one and a half centimeters annually. An adult reptile can reach dimensions of 20-28 cmThere are species of red-eared sliders that can grow up to 60 cm.

Peculiarities of keeping reptiles at home

A turtle's home, whether a terrarium or aquarium, should be prepared before acquiring a pet. For one adult turtle, a tank with a capacity of at least 150-200 liters is required. The aquarium must be equipped with land in the form of a sloping bank with a rough surface.

Don't add any soil or other material that the turtle might eat. To allow the turtle to roll over, the water level should be approximately equal to the shell's width. To prevent the turtle from escaping, the island should be 20-25 cm below the edge of the aquarium.

The optimal water temperature for a reptile is from 20 °C to 25 °CSince turtles feed in the water, the water needs to be changed once or twice a week. They like to bask on land, so a fluorescent lamp is installed above the island. Ultraviolet radiation is especially necessary for small turtles.

An internal filter can be used to keep the aquarium clean. When setting up a pond for a red-eared slider, ensure that all items in it are safe for the pet.

Do not place small gravel or sharp rocks in the aquarium. Driftwood or tree bark can be used. Decorating the pond is recommended. artificial plants, since the turtle will mercilessly dig up or simply eat live algae.

What and how to feed red-eared sliders

It's best to feed these reptiles during the day, when they're most active. Food can be offered after they've basked under a lamp. If for some reason feeding during the day isn't possible, it should be done no later than two hours before bedtime.

Since turtles eat in water, they need to be given as much food at one time as they can handle. eat in 15 minutesOtherwise, the remaining food will fall to the bottom, where it will begin to decompose. The water in the aquarium will then need to be changed.

Young turtles are fed once a day, and adults at two years of age begin to feed two to three times a dayRed-eared sliders can easily survive for several days without food. However, it's best not to starve them. A hungry pet will move restlessly in the water and explore the aquarium.

Turtles can be given animal food in the form of:

• corethra;
• bloodworm;
• pieces of sea fish;
• small aquarium fish;
• squid;
• shrimp;
• earthworms.

It is recommended to offer your pet a snack once a week. raw liverReptiles are fed plant foods such as:

• Dandelions.
• With lettuce leaves.
• Spinach.
• Finely chopped cabbage leaves.
• Aquatic plants (spirogyra, anacharis, kelp, duckweed, watercress).

Gelatin based can be prepare a feed mixture, which is called "turtle aspic." The aquatic pet will only chew its food when its head is completely submerged in water.

You can only determine the sex of a red-eared slider turtle when it's over one year old. Several individuals must be kept close together. The pet with the most long claws and tail, is a male. At about two years of age, males begin courting females. Courtship involves "fluttering" their claws in front of the female's eyes.

Price and selection criteria

Red-eared sliders are suitable even for beginners. They are less problematic and more resilient than exotic turtle species. The best time to acquire a pet is from late spring to early fall. In winter, the animal may catch a cold when transporting to a new habitat.

It is not recommended to buy turtles at bird markets. Sick animals are often sold there. To determine if a turtle is sick, look for discharge from its eyes and nose. A healthy turtle should respond to people. be with your eyes open, and should not breathe through the mouth.

If you're a beginner, you might not be able to handle several turtles at first, so it's worth buying one pet first, and then another one after a while.

During warmer months, you can bring your new pet home in a plastic container or a box filled with sawdust. If it's cold outside, it's recommended to place a heating pad in the box. You can also wrap your pet in a cloth and tuck it under your jacket.

The price of red-eared sliders depends on their size. The smallest baby turtles cost between 100 and 170 rubles. Adult, sexually mature large turtles cost from 2 thousand to 3 thousand rubles.

If you're considering buying turtles that are just a few months old, you should be aware that at this age they are very susceptible to various diseases. Regardless of the age of your red-eared slider, you should provide it with proper care. necessary maintenance and nutritionIt is recommended to give young individuals additional vitamin supplements.