How to Take Care of an Adult Red-Eared Slider

The red-eared slider is an aquatic turtle from South America. Red-eared sliders are cold-blooded reptiles that are dependent on external heat sources to maintain their body temperature. These turtles can frequently be seen basking in the sun in the wild. The foremost criteria for keeping pet red-eared sliders healthy are a suitable heat source, clean water, and a balanced diet. Provided these three conditions are met, the care of red-eared sliders is straightforward, but an adult should nevertheless take primary responsibility for these animals.

Things You'll Need

  • 55-gallon glass aquarium
  • 5 gallons dechlorinated water
  • Tight-fitting screen cover for aquarium
  • Small plastic wading pool
  • Aquarium heater
  • Infrared light
  • Full- spectrum ultraviolet fluorescent lightbulb
  • Thermometer
  • 20 pounds aquarium gravel
  • 10-gallon bucket
  • Turtle pellets
  • Turtle manual
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place a 55-gallon all-glass aquarium on a stand or suitable piece of furniture, such as a table. All-glass aquariums are preferable to acrylic, which scratch easily.

    • 2

      Place a small plastic wading pool in one corner of the aquarium and fill it with clean dechlorinated water. Replace this water on a weekly basis.

    • 3

      Place an aquarium heater in the wading pool. Set the thermostat to 76 degrees Fahrenheit.

    • 4

      Place a rough stone in the plastic wading pool, against one side. This stone must be large enough so that the red-eared slider can use it to leave the water as necessary.

    • 5

      Rinse your hands in warm water to remove soap residue and natural body oils.

    • 6

      Place 20 pounds of aquarium gravel into a 10-gallon bucket and rinse the gravel under running water. Use your hands to swirl the aquarium gravel around in the bucket. Continue to rinse until all the dust and debris have been washed out of the gravel.

    • 7

      Carefully place the gravel into the aquarium. Build up the gravel around the plastic wading pool until the gravel is level with the lip of the pool.

    • 8

      Position an infrared light over the aquarium. This light must be positioned so that the heat produced by it does not spread across the entire aquarium. The red-eared slider must be able to move away from the heat, if it so chooses. Ensure that the light cannot drop into the aquarium.

    • 9

      Position a full-spectrum ultraviolet fluorescent lightbulb over a separate section of the aquarium, opposite to the infrared light. Position a natural-looking piece of wood under this light. The red-eared slider will use this area to bask. Ensure that the ambient temperature above and immediately around the light is in the region of 85 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Adjust the height of the light to achieve this temperature. Use a thermometer to gauge the temperature.

    • 10

      Place your red-eared slider in the aquarium and feed the animal commercial turtle pellets, which are nutritionally balanced.

    • 11

      Place a tight-fitting screen cover on top of the aquarium. This screen will prevent companion animals, such as cats, from interfering with the red-eared slider.