How to Feed Red-eared Sliders Vegetables

The red-eared slider is an aquatic turtle that may live as long as 50 to 70 years when its owner takes good care of it. Domesticated sliders tend to reach maturity when they are 2 to 4 years old. Feed your juvenile red-eared slider once every day. Once it is mature, feed it every other day. Juveniles tend to prefer animal protein over vegetables, but plant matter should still compose over half of its diet. If your red-eared slider is a fussy eater, experiment by offering it a variety of different vegetables to find its favorites.

Things You'll Need

  • Tank
  • Carrots
  • Green beans
  • Sweet potatoes
  • Squash
  • Dandelion greens
  • Mustard greens
  • Collard greens
  • Paper towel
  • Calcium-mineral supplement
  • Animal protein
  • Turtle food
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Instructions

    • 1

      Pick up your turtle and place it in a separate feeding tank to keep its primary tank cleaner.

    • 2

      Organize your turtle's meal, which should include at least 50 percent or more plant matter, including both vegetables and fruits. Include a variety of fresh vegetables, such as shredded carrots, green beans, sweet potatoes and squash. Always include some dark green, leafy vegetables, such as dandelion, mustard or collard greens.

    • 3

      Rinse each fresh vegetable and fruit with water to remove pesticides and pat dry with a paper towel.

    • 4

      Sprinkle each food item with a dusting of calcium-mineral supplement for turtles and place the food in the feeding tank.

    • 5

      Time the turtle's meal. Allow it to eat for 15 minutes and then place it back in its home.