To ensure our turtle is happy and healthy we must provide them with a clean and well set-up tank for their needs, as well as a balanced diet. If we see any abnormalities, we should consult our local veterinarian that has experience with reptiles. In the following sections we will go deeper into these subjects so you can learn how to set up a tank for yellow-bellied slider turtles , what to feed them and how often you must feed them. We will talk about the most common ailments that may present themselves due to certain nutritional or environmental issues.
These animals are moderately easy to care for. Their calm and basic needs make them a great house pet that can live for many years when properly cared for. Follow this guide to achieve the best care for your yellow-bellied turtle. For one or two adults you will need a tank of at least 75 gallons.
The width should be at least 3x your turtle's length and the depth should be at least 2x your turtle's length. Lastly the length of the tank should be at least 5x the length of your turtle.
However, if you can provide a bigger tank, that would be even better for your yellow-bellied slider turtle. The tank must be thoroughly cleaned every two or three weeks. If necessary, you can use a water heater to maintain the water's temperature. The water must be changed a couple times each week. Next, you must provide a basking area for your yellow-bellied turtle. To do this, you can stack smooth rocks, create your own or buy a basking area at a local pet store. Then, you will want to handle the necessary lighting and temperature so your turtle can bask.
You can use a standard ultraviolet-B light designed for reptiles. Place it within 1 ft. Use a timer so the light is on for 10 uninterrupted hours a day. This heating lamp should not be turned on at night. You'll have to replace this light twice a year as UVB lighting lose their effectiveness over time.
You can choose whether or not you want to include substrate to your turtle's tank. Nevertheless, if you choose to use substrate, opt for gravel.
This is because it's large and your turtle will not be able to swallow it. The most important decoration is the basking area we've previously mentioned.
Other than that, you can add pond plants for their environmental enrichment and diet. You can also add smooth rocks, clean sand and other natural. If the temperature in the room in which you keep your turtle never falls below 75 degrees Fahrenheit, you don't need more than standard UVB lighting to keep the basking area warm.
The water conditioner will remove chlorine and other harsh water additives that can disturb your biological filter and your pet's quality of life. If you have an outdoor pond and a securely fenced yard to keep your turtle in and predators out, you might consider putting it outdoors for at least part of the year. Enterprising owners also make roomy habitats for sliders by using pre-formed plastic pond liners to make indoor ponds.
All turtles kept indoors will need special lighting. They typically get these UV rays from unfiltered sunlight or a special lamp. Aquatic turtles will need these UV lights year-round for about 12 hours per day.
Replace UV light bulbs every six months. If your yellow-bellied slider lives outdoors, it will not need supplemental UV lighting; the sun's rays will be sufficient. As cold-blooded creatures, turtles need to self-regulate their body temperature. To control their temperature, turtles seek out basking spots to soak up the sun's warm rays. If you have an indoor tank, you will need to replicate a sunny basking spot that can reach 80 to degrees Fahrenheit.
Either a watt or watt basking bulb should be sufficient. As turtles also need the UV rays from the sun for proper development, you can get a combination mercury vapor bulb, which provides both heat and UV. Their water also needs to be at a constant temperature of 75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. A water heater will be required to keep the water warm. It should be maintained day and night. Yellow-bellied sliders are omnivorous creatures. Turtles of all ages should get a wide variety of both animal and plant-based items.
Juveniles and hatchlings should eat twice a day. Once a turtle reaches adulthood age 2 to 5 , feed once a day. Commercial turtle pellets are a proper base diet when supplemented with a variety of other items. Offer only what your turtle can consume in about 15 minutes and remove uneaten food. Dark, leafy greens like romaine, dandelion greens, and fresh parsley should be a regular part of your yellow-bellied slider's diet. Offer chopped apple pieces and freeze-dried shrimp occasionally.
Most aquatic turtles eat the occasional insect or fish, but avoid giving them fatty fish, and never give them high-protein meats. An aquatic turtle's diet should be mainly plant-based. Also, do not take your turtle in and out of the tank; it can severely affect its immune system.
Keep your turtle away from any other pets that can do harm to it. Turtles can become attached to their owners. They can learn to recognize them and even learn their owners voice. However, the bond that is formed is not the same kind one would have with a pet like a dog. Turtles are very playful creatures, and quite active. You can keep yellow-bellied sliders with fish, but predation may occur. Fish are possible sources of parasites that may or may not affect your turtle; consult with your veterinarian before introducing live fish to your turtle enclosure for food or long-term captive living.
Yellow-bellied sliders make great pets. You can house one, two, or even four baby yellow-bellied sliders in a properly appointed or gallon aquarium. But remember they are going to grow quickly and will soon need more room. One or two adult turtles will need a tank that is 75 gallons or larger.
The water in the tank should be at least deep enough for a turtle to turn over should it land upside down. But deeper water of up to 16 to 18 inches is even better. The water should be kept between 72 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Provide a basking area that allows your turtle to climb out of the water onto a perch in a heated section of the tank. Basking haul-outs should be smooth and provide enough surface for the turtles to easily balance, move a little and dry completely.
The daytime temperature at the top of the haul-out should range from 95 F to F. The best source of heat is a UV-B heat lamp that you can buy at the pet shop. Attach the lamp to the tank over the haul-out spot and leave it on through the daylight hours. The lamp should not be turned on at night. Yellow-bellied sliders are good eaters and fascinating to watch as they forage. They are omnivorous, meaning they eat both plant and animal matter, but their dietary preferences change as they grow.
Babies eat lots of insects and will go for parts of dead fish. They will also forage on pond plants. As they grow, yellow-bellies become less interested in animal protein to the point that they will get 95 percent of their nutrition from vegetation. These include anacharis and cabomba.
Place the unbundled plants in your tank and let them float free on the surface. You can also place leaves of romaine lettuce, escarole and collards in the tank, but these must be removed and refreshed every day. You should also give your turtle some animal-based proteins. Pelleted trout chow, catfish chow and koi pellets also are key.
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