How to Keep Red-Eared Sliders

Known in their native America as Red-Eared Slider Turtles, Trachemys scripta elegans is a well-known and long-standing feature of the British exotic pet-keeping scene.

Often bought as attractive two-inch (5cm) youngsters, the rapid growth rate of these animals – which become the size of a dinner-plate when adult – has led to large numbers of this “alien” species becoming abandoned and established in the wild.

Although they are not the easiest of pets to keep, if you can provide the space they ultimately need and are prepared for the amount of work involved, America’s Red-Eared Sliders can make fascinating pets. With proper care, these terrapins can live for twenty or thirty years and more, so taking one on is certainly not something to be done lightly!

A very similar and closely related subspecies, Trachemys scripta scripta – the Red-Bellied Slider – is sometimes seen offered for sale. Care is very similar and the two varieties can interbreed freely, given the right conditions

Housing Red-Eared Sliders

These terrapins – named after the red stripe along each side of their heads and their habit of sliding into the water when surprised – are largely aquatic, but still need an area of land and the opportunity to bask. Housing them calls for a large volume of water for them to swim in, together with an area where they can enjoy a little extra warmth. Since adult Red-Eared Sliders grow to a shell length of around 12 inches (30cm), their quarters need to be spacious.

For young terrapins, a shallowly filled traditional aquarium with a suitable log “island” or gravel bank seems to be one of the most popular arrangements, while adults need either a very much larger tank, or an enclosed pond of their own. Whatever arrangement you use, the water will need to be filtered thoroughly, since these terrapins tend to be messy eaters and produce large amounts of waste themselves. Regular partial water changes are also a good idea to help keep conditions at their best.

Red-Eared Sliders are naturally found in the region of the Mississippi Valley, in the cooler climes of Britain, they need some additional heating to keep them healthy. The air, land area and water all need to be heated – a temperature around 24-30C (75-86F) being ideal. A sturdy cover around any submerged heaters is a good idea as the animals get bigger, since they are active creatures and inclined to be rather heavy footed at times!

Feeding Your Pets

These freshwater turtles are omnivorous, although as youngsters, their diet tends to be almost exclusively carnivorous, more plant material being eaten as they grow older. They will happily eat a range of foods including commercial terrapin food, earthworms, crickets, bloodworms, insect larvae, fresh leaves and fruit. Youngsters need daily meals, while adults will normally feed every two or three days.

Like all terrapins, Red-Eared Sliders need to get the right balance of vitamins and minerals so a good quality supplement should be used once or twice a week to make sure they are getting all that they should. In addition, providing them with some cuttlefish bone to nibble will help keep them supplied with enough calcium.

An alert and attractive animal, the Red-Eared Slider has gained a rather unfortunate reputation for itself, largely as a result of the actions of poorly informed owners. Although, like most kinds of tortoises and terrapins, this species presents its challenges, it can be a rewarding and long-lived pet to keep – but only if you really know what you’re getting yourself into from the outset.