All About Red Eared Sliders
While they are in no way an endangered species, FDA regulation title 21 prohibits the purchase of turtle eggs and turtles having a carapace (shell) length of less than 4 inch. The ban was introduced in 1975 as a way to curtail the issue of Salmonella infections in children.
Keep in mind this is because wild turtles were being picked up and handled by kids. As with every pet, it is wise to wash your hands following enjoying or handling your pet. Red eared slider turtles are no different.
Fun Fact: Females are often larger than the males.
Where Can You Find Red Eared Sliders?
Despite the fact that their natural habitat is considered the Southern USA, red eared slider turtles are actually commonly seen in all parts of America because people jump into having a pet without acknowledging the responsibility required. As soon as they decide turtles are certainly not for them, they often released their unwanted pet turtles into the wild.
This can be a serious problem because releasing any pet into the wild can distribute illnesses and plant an invasive species into a habitat that may harm native plants and animals. In addition there are moral issues for the reason that you may be releasing a turtle who has lost several of it’s survival skills and it’s unable to feed itself, which will likely cause starvation and death.
What Do Red Eared Slider Turtles Eat?
Red-eared sliders are omnivores and often will enjoy various animal and plant materials in the wild. Even if this list isn’t exhaustive, red ear sliders will certainly eat:
- Fish
- Tadpoles
- Crayfish
- Flies
- Slugs
- Grasshoppers
- Meal Worms
- Wax Worms
- Pests
- Various Aquatic Plants
Because red eared sliders are water turtles, they’re naturally found in small rivers or ponds and often will eat whatever they can find or scavenge in water, and which will fit in their mouth.
But of course you are still wondering, what do turtles eat (that’s inside my house). Well there are quite a few choices to think about. For instance:
- Small fish from a pet store
- Fresh, COOKED, unseasoned meats (stick with poultry and shrimp)
- Chopped vegetables (carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, celery, etc)
- Water plants
- Deceased insects
You may also go the path of buying store bought turtle foods which are excellent sources of nutrition if you’d like something a bit more stable for your pet turtle.
No matter what it is you think would be best for your own turtle remember that they are like all animals and possess tastes and preferences.
You shouldn’t be upset if you notice your turtle isn’t taking a liking to their meal immediately. Wait and see and when after one or two days they’re still not interested, think of changing things up for them.
What Things To Avoid When Feeding Red Eared Sliders
As with every pet, you ought to ensure your red eared slider is as healthy as it can be. In addition you should ensure your household is just as healthy as it can be simultaneously.
Here are a few helpful suggestions to balance the both of best worlds.
No Fried Foods: Avoid giving your turtle any sort of fried foods. No french fries, donuts, onion rings, etc.
No Sugary Foods: No candy, chocolate, or other forms of sugary foods. As well as being unhealthy for a turtle, a lot of these foods are usually hard and may pose a choking hazard for the little friend.
No Dairy Foods: Including milk, cheese, butter, etc. Turtles don’t have the necessary enzymes to properly digest lactose.
No Sharing Foods: Avoid sharing foods or snacks with your turtle. Many turtles, like several aquatic animals, carry salmonella bacteria. Salmonella doesn’t affect them as it does humans.
No Kissing: No seriously, don’t kiss your turtle. Even though they are extremely cute when they are young or small, they carry salmonella and the one thing you don’t want is to become sick from your own turtle.
No Dirty Hands: When you handle your turtle be sure you wash both hands thoroughly with anti-bacterial soap.
And there you have it. What do turtles eat you may well ask? For Red Eared Sliders now you have the Do’s and Don’ts of a happy healthy turtle. Like most pets, red eared sliders make excellent companions when cared for properly.
Now that you know about red eared sliders be sure to find out more about what do turtles eat.
Red Eared Slider Turtle Food Choices 