Red-eared Slider (Trachemys scripta elegans)

Red-eared Slider Trachemys scripta elegans
Name	Red-eared Slider
Name Lat.	Trachemys scripta elegans
Family	Pond Turtles & Box Turtles
Family lat.	Emydidae
Order	Turtles
Order lat.	Testudines
Origin	North America
Habitat	Rivers
Diet	Fish, insects, plants, fruits
Humidity	60-80 %
Behavior	Peaceful
Keeping	Individual, group
Care Level	Moderate
Reproduction	Oviparous
Housing	Aquaterrarium
Life Span	25-30 years
Protection	EU-DVO 2016/1141 Invasive alien species
Metric Units
Size	25-30 cm
Temperature	24-28 °C
Temperature Local	35-40 °C
Housing Size	150 x 60 x 70 cm
US Units
Size	9.8"-12"
Temperature	75-82 °F
Temperature Local	95-104 °F
Housing Size	60" x 25" x 30"

Distribution and habitat

The range of the red-cheeked slider turtle extends from Alabama (USA) to northeastern Mexico. They live in shallow, slow-moving waters with soft, muddy bottoms and dense vegetation.

Maintenance

Minimum dimensions for the aquaterrarium, according to the size and number of animals

floor space for 1-2 animals: 5PL x 2,5PL (L x W)

Water level: 2PB

The carapace length (PL) and carapace width (PB) is measured on the largest animal. For each additional animal, increase the footprint by 10%, and for the 5th animal and larger, increase the footprint by 20%. An aquaterrarium of e.g. 150 x 60 x 70 cm is recommended, which should be placed in a quiet place.

The water part with a substrate of sand or fine gravel, should be structured with roots, aquatic plants and larger stones (hiding places), some of which reach the water surface. In addition, they need a land part with a soft substrate, with plants and roots, as well as sunny spots. To maintain water quality, a powerful filter with low flow and frequent water changes are recommended.

	Water Temp	lighting	Sunny
Summer	20-28 °C	12-14 hrs.	35-40 °C
Winter (2-3 months)	10-14 °C	6-8 hrs

They need high light intensity and daily UV irradiation as well as sunny places with radiant heat.

Diet

Juveniles feed predominantly on animal food, whereas adults feed predominantly on plant food. The food supply consists of live insect larvae, snails, earthworms, meal beetle larvae, shrimp, fish pieces, supplemented with pelleted or freeze-dried ready-made food for aquatic turtles. Frozen food is also well accepted. In addition, they absolutely need vegetable food, such as lettuce, dandelion, endive and aquatic plants (e.g. waterweed) as well as, individually varying, sweet fruit. Regular addition of minerals and vitamins is important

A varied diet promotes health and prevents deficiency symptoms.

Reproduction and breeding

Males have a concave ventral carapace and a much longer tail than females. The anal opening of the male is closer to the tip of the tail than in the female.

A small, sandy land area is necessary for oviposition (1-22 eggs). The incubation period is 70-110 days at a temperature of 28-30 °C.

Life expectancy can be 25-30 years.

Obligation to report

They are exempt from the obligation to notify (Federal Species Protection Ordinance Annex 5 to § 7 para. 2).

Important

They like to bask on flat stones or on floating branches. Winter dormancy can be in water or earth-moist substrate

The terrarium must have good ventilation without drafts and meet the species-specific needs. Measuring devices such as thermometers, hygrometers, etc. are necessary. The lighting has to correspond to the species-specific day-night rhythm and has to be placed in such a way that the animals cannot injure themselves. The terrarium should be locked in such a way that neither unauthorized persons can open it nor the animals can escape. Contamination must be removed regularly.

Further literature can be found in your pet store.

References

Text: Christian Sänger; Image: petdata

Source: BMELV (1997): Tierschutzgutachten - Mindestanforderungen an die Haltung von ReptilienENGELMANN (2006): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Reptilien und Amphibien, Harri Deutsch Verlag; ROGNER (2009): Taschenatlas Schildkröten, Verlag Ulmer

• Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF