How to Breed Red-Eared Slider Turtles

Red-eared slider turtles can be found living in the wild throughout several areas east of the Rocky mountains in the United States. These turtles can be purchased at pet stores and, if placed in the proper conditions, the female and male red-eared sliders can be bred. The mating of the turtles should occur when both are at least five years of age and the female shell is approximately 6 inches in circumference.

Things You'll Need

  • 30-gallon tank
  • Full-spectrum heat lamp
  • Two 20-gallon tanks
  • Soil
  • Vegetables
  • Water
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place the male and female turtles into a tank that is no larger than 30 gallons in size. Fill the tank with no more than 5 inches of water. This will allow the female ample room to breathe during mating.

    • 2

      Watch for signs that the mating ritual will occur, which for red-eared slider turtles comes in the form of a mating dance. The male will approach the female and gently rub the front of her face with his claw. The male will then attempt to mate with her. The female will either be receptive or a fight will ensue. If the fight lasts longer than 45 minutes, separate the turtles and try to mate them again in two days. If the female accepts the male, the mating will take approximately 15 minutes.

    • 3

      Separate the male and female directly after mating and keep them separate throughout the turtle's gestation period, which generally lasts two months. During this time, keep the female in fresh, clean water. Keep her warm with a full-spectrum heat lamp. The female should be handled as little as possible during this time.

    • 4

      Place the female into a nesting box approximately three weeks after copulation or when you begin to notice signs she will soon lay the eggs. These signs include a female that spends more time on land digging for a place to lay her eggs. This nesting box should be constructed of a 20-gallon tank that is filled with 4 inches of loose soil. This will allow the eggs a soft, warm place to incubate, which generally takes 80 to 85 days.

    • 5

      Watch for signs that the hatchlings will come out from their shells around the 80-day mark. You may notice the ground begin to shift and the eggs begin to tremble as the baby turtles emerge by cutting through the shell with their egg teeth. Allow the baby turtles to fully remove themselves from the shells. You will also notice an egg sac attached to each baby turtle. Do not attempt to remove this sac; it will fall off on its own.

    • 6

      Allow all of the baby turtles to remain in this nesting box for one full day after hatching. The babies should then be placed into a 20-gallon tank that has an area of soil and water shallow enough that the babies can easily emerge from. Place a full-spectrum light into the tank and begin to feed the babies a diet of ground up vegetables, such as lettuce, shredded carrots and ground beans.