The average price for a red-eared slider in pet stores is around $20 , but a quality breeder will likely charge a little more. Choose a turtle that is active and alert, and make sure it is eating.
Are red-eared sliders good pets?
red eared sliders
make great pets if you are willing to commit fully to their care They can live for over 20 years and grow over 12 inches. This means that a 55 gallon or
larger tank
would be adequate housing for one turtle and more for multiple turtles.
Can I own a red-eared slider?
The sale and distribution of turtles with shells smaller than 4 inches is prohibited by federal law, and the red-eared slider turtle is a non-native invasive species ( requiring a permit from the state to own ).
What kind of turtles are sold at PetSmart?
The most common turtles sold at PetSmart include red-eared sliders, painted turtles, and African sideneck turtles All three of these varieties are common at pet stores in the US, making them some of the most common types of pet turtles.
Why are red-eared sliders illegal?
The sale and distribution of viable eggs and all
small turtles
(shell length less than 4 inches) was banned, excepting educational and research purposes, in the United States in 1975 after public health investigations showed that small turtles were a major source of human Salmonella infections.
Do red-eared sliders need a friend?
Red-eared sliders are a solitary species, but they do “socialize” during mating season Most turtles do not venture too far from their established
fresh water habitat
unless searching for a mate or nest site.
Do red-eared sliders get lonely?
No! The fact is that turtles will be totally fine on their own. They don’t need to share a tank with another turtle to be happy and content, and you don’t need to worry about turtle loneliness!.
What is the friendliest turtle for a pet?
Red-Eared Slider Red-eared sliders are one of the most popular of all aquatic turtle species. They tend to be friendlier and more sociable than some of their relatives, they’re pretty active, and they’re widely available.
Do red-eared slider bites hurt?
Red-eared sliders may bite — and the bite can be quite painful The bite will probably only hurt but may be more damaging to young kids with small fingers. Keep in mind that red-eared sliders won’t bite “just because.” In most cases, a bite is a result of an animal being mishandled or hurt.
How long do red-eared sliders live for?
Red-eared sliders can live a long life in captivity. When cared for correctly, they can easily live longer than 20 years Red-eared sliders are omnivores.
Where does PetSmart get their turtles?
We’ve seen it time and time again at dealers that sell animals to pet stores, and now we’ve seen it again at Reptiles by Mack, a reptile mill in Xenia, Ohio , that breeds and sells frogs, lizards, turtles, and other animals to pet stores across the country, such as PetSmart.
Is turtle Pee harmful to humans?
It is not illegal to own or to buy a turtle under a shell length of 4 inches, again, unless it is a protected species. ” Turtle urine causes brain damage in humans when it comes in contact with your skin”.
Where does Petco get their turtles?
PETCO then ships those turtles to its own vendor, Concordia Turtle Farm in Louisiana , which has said that it will “treat” the turtles for salmonella. Well, this might sound like a noble effort to some, but shipping turtles is extremely stressful on them.
Can I keep a turtle in a 10 gallon tank?
Plan on a
tank size
of 10 gallons of water per inch of the turtle as a general rule of thumb , with a minimum size of a 20-gallon for hatchling red-eared sliders. Keep in mind that red-eared sliders can grow to be 10 to 12 inches as adults, so it’s likely that you’ll eventually need a very large tank.
Can red-eared sliders drown?
Even though red eared sliders love swimming and submerging themselves, they can drown In fact, all turtles can drown because they do not have the ability to breathe underwater. If your red slider stays under water for too long, it will drown. The same goes for any other turtle, though.
Can you buy baby red-eared slider turtles?
We have beautiful Baby Red-Eared Slider Turtles for sale at American Reptile Distributors ! The infamous Red-Eared Slider is one of the most the most popular pet turtles here in America and one of the most popular on Earth! These Red-Eared Sliders will thrive in a tank collection or and outdoor pond setup!.
Do red-eared sliders recognize their owner?
Turtles Know Their Owners ! Most people don’t realize this, but many turtles recognize the sight and sounds of their owners! In fact, many owners comment how their pets swim right up to the water surface to greet them when they walk in the room.
Which turtle is easiest to take care of?
Slider turtles are popular because they’re hardy and easy to care for. They also have pleasant, tame, friendly personalities.
Do red-eared sliders need land?
Except for places along the shoreline where they like to bask in the sun, red-eared sliders have little need for land When approached, they nimbly “slide” into the water, safe from harm.
Do red-eared sliders need shots?
Typically, no vaccines are required for turtles “Within 48 hours of your purchase or adoption of a new turtle, your new pet should be examined by a veterinarian familiar with reptiles.”.
Do red-eared sliders need heat lamp?
That basking site must be kept at a constant temperature ranging between 85 and 92 degrees Fahrenheit. You don’t need to purchase a special heat lamp for this purpose, as a regular lamp with an incandescent bulb of 75 watts or less will do the trick.
Why are tiny turtles illegal?
In fact, the sale of tiny pet turtles has been banned in the US since 1975 because of the number of illnesses they cause and the risk to children Although any turtle can carry germs, tiny turtles are especially risky because children are more likely to handle them and get sick.
Does Petsmart take unwanted turtles?
If you absolutely cannot keep your turtle, consider one of the following options. Post an ad in the office of local pet stores and veterinary offices, or community publications. Petco and Petsmart typically allow ads to be posted Some animal control agencies and humane societies will accept turtles.
What does a red-eared slider eat?
What do red-eared sliders eat? Juveniles and adults can be fed a base diet of commercially available pellets or sticks that are made for aquatic turtles, along with vegetable matter such as dark leafy greens (dandelion, mustard and collard greens with chopped broccoli, carrots, squash and green beans).
How much does a turtle tank cost?
Expect to pay $100 to $200 for a terrarium or an aquarium (used ones may be more inexpensive) and factor in additional costs for lighting, thermometers, a basking platform, a ramp into and out of the water (if you have an aquatic turtle), and a turtle tank filter system, which can cost up to $350, according to Nowick.
How do you get rid of Salmonella on a turtle?
There are no methods guaranteed to rid turtles of salmonella , notes thatCDC. “All turtles, regardless of [shell] size, should be handled as thoughthey are infected with salmonella,” says the CDC in its Morbidity andMortality Weekly Report.
Can a pet turtle make you sick?
Regardless of where turtles are purchased or their size, turtles can carry Salmonella germs that can make people sick Pet stores should provide information about Salmonella to customers and pet owners should always follow steps to stay healthy around their pet.
How do I know if my turtle has Salmonella?
Be aware that Salmonella infection can be caused by contact with reptiles or amphibians in petting zoos, parks, child-care facilities, or other locations. Watch for symptoms of Salmonella infection, such as diarrhea, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, and headache.
What type of turtle stays small forever?
What small turtles make good pets? The best pet turtles that stay small are Spotted turtles, Eastern Mud and Striped Mud turtles, Razorback and Common Musk turtles, and the males of most common pond turtle species , as they do not grow as large as their female counterparts.
What should I name my turtle?
- Donatello.
- Flippy.
- Leonardo.
- Mack.
- Michelangelo.
- Mock Turtle.
- Pokey.
- Rafael.
What turtles dont need water?
Common musk turtle Common musk turtles don’t need deep water, and instead prefer shallow water where they can touch the bottom of the tank.
Can I put 2 red-eared sliders together?
Size of the Slider When housing multiple red-eared sliders in the same habitat, it’s best to keep similarly sized turtles together Larger turtles may bully smaller ones, and they will eat the food before smaller turtles can dine.
Can you touch red-eared slider?
Although every turtle is different, when handled, red-eared sliders could withdraw into their shells or possibly even nip at your fingers if they feel threatened This is why it’s not recommended that you frequently handle your red-eared sliders or remove them from their habitats.
How often do red-eared sliders poop?
An adult red-eared slider should be fed three times a week and should poop around the same. Most of these turtles’ poop around every two to three days They do not have fast digestion, so it may take a day or two for the food to digest before they poop.
Is it cruel to keep turtles in a tank?
They have territories that can be many miles wide. Putting them in a tank is cruel Think of it this way: it’s like spending the rest of our lives in the bathtub. A turtle needs a large habitat or a pond to approximate nature, not a tank.
How do you know if a turtle is sad?
If you place live insects, fish, or small amphibians in their tank, a happy turtle will “hunt” them down as part of their meal. If the turtle ignores them completely , this is a sign they may be depressed or unhealthy.
Can turtles have periods?
Do Female Tortoises Menstruate? As stated, female tortoises don’t menstruate They have a reproduction cycle in which their reproductive organs get ready to form viable ovum and eventually expel them from the female’s body. However, tortoise cycles differ from the menstruation cycle human females go through.
Do turtles poop out of their mouths?
“Contrary to this common notion, our results suggest that the mouth can be a major route of urea excretion in soft-shelled turtles” The scientists conjecture that Chinese soft-shelled turtles excrete urea through their mouths instead of with their kidneys because of their salty environment.
Are turtles OK in cold water?
Adult painted turtles can survive in water as cold as 37 degrees Fahrenheit without food or oxygen for up to 100 days These conditions would kill most vertebrates in three or four minutes. Many turtles, however, can survive in extremely low oxygen conditions because of their ability to change their blood chemistry.
Where should you keep a turtle in the house?
They require a habitat with plenty of clean water for swimming as well as dry land where they can rest, hide and bask in the sun A tank that can hold at least 40 gallons should give your pet turtle an adequate amount of room to move around in.
Do red-eared sliders eat fruit?
Some experts recommend fresh fruits such as bananas, berries, apples, and melons However, this isn’t a natural staple in the red-eared sliders diet, and it may cause diarrhea. If you offer any fruit at all, limit it to very small quantities as a special treat. Don’t feed frozen fish, or at least not very often.
Do red-eared sliders eat lettuce?
1. Leafy Greens: Collard greens, mustard greens, dandelion greens, kale, and bok choy. Head (iceberg) lettuce should never be fed as it contains very little nutrition but dark green leaf lettuces (e.g. romaine) can be fed sparingly Make sure you only feed items with appropriate calcium to phosphorous levels.
References
https://www.coastalpoint.com/news/state/dda-warns-owners-of-red-eared-slider-turtles-about-potential-salmonella-risk/article_4ffd6178-868d-11eb-8f52-a3c8797b0974.html
https://petkeen.com/how-much-is-a-turtle-at-petsmart/