Red-Eared Slider
(Trachemys scripta elegans)

The red-eared slider can be found in the Mississippi River valley and tributaries from Indiana to the Gulf of Mexico and can grow to five to eight inches in length. Red-eared sliders when young are bright green with yellow markings and a red stripe just behind the eyes. As the red-eared slider ages the colors may dim.

Difficulty

NOVICE to MODERATE: The red-eared slider's smaller size make it an excellent choice for hobbyists to keep. Red-eared sliders do require specialized lighting.

Requirements

An enclosure, such as:

• Glass or acrylic aquarium (30 gallons or more, depending on the size of the red-eared slider) with a secure lid with clamps

Substrate, such as:

• Pea gravel
• Sphagnum Moss

A heating element, such as:

• UV producing bulb
• Under the tank heater
• Incandescent heat bulb
• Ceramic infrared heat emitters

Enclosure

The Red-eared slider requires at least a 30-gallon aquarium. As a rule, the minimum dimensions for tanks are three times the shell length of the red-eared slider for the width and six times the shell length for the length. The minimum depth of the water should be as deep as the shell of the red-eared slider is wide. A basking area is needed to allow the slider to get completely out of the water to dry. The water should be clean and clear and waste should be removed whenever it is found in the enclosure. Filtration prolongs the time between water changes, but should not be used as a substitute for water changes. Wastewater should not be emptied into a sink that is used for food preparation or personal hygiene.

Substrate

The substrate or bedding that you use is one of the most important parts of your red-eared slider's home, since your slider will be spending all of its time on it. Red-eared sliders need plenty of space to swim and pea gravel can be used to create the land portion of the enclosure. Sphagnum moss, sterilized soil, and plants may be added to make the enclosure more attractive, but will require more maintenance.

Heating and Light

Red-eared sliders should have daytime temperatures of 70°F to 75°F with a 80°F to 85°F basking area under a spotlight. Nightime temperatures should be 65°F to 75°F. Water temperatures should be maintained at 80°F to 85°F. Red-eared sliders require UV light for proper metabolic and bone development. This can be provided with fluorecent bulbs or mercury vapor spot lights which also provide heat. A spotlight with an appropriate wattage incandescnet bulb or ceramic emitter can be used to provide heat. Many hobbyists will install thermometers or thermostats in the enclsosure to be able to accurately maintain these temperatures. Heated rocks and caves are never recommended for your red-eared slider as they can lead to burns.

Diet

Feeding should be done every other day with all the red-eared slider can eat in 45 minutes. Remove all food after that time, except for the greens. Just because the red-eared sliders beg for food does not necessarily mean they're hungry, this is a trained condition. The red-eared sliders diet should be at least 65% to 85% meat consisting of commercial slider food, trout chow, beef heart, fish live or fresh caught (not frozen). Meat should be dusted once a week with a good herp vitamin containing D3.Dark green leafy vegetables can be used to fill the rest of the diet.