How to Take Care of Slider Water Turtles

The Chrysemys scripta elegans or red-eared slider has become a rather common household pet. The red-eared slider is named for the red stripe on the side of its head which makes the turtle appear to have a red ear. Care of sliders can be rather complicated for the inexperienced reptile keeper. They require a great deal of space, a varied diet and an artificial heat source.

Things You'll Need

  • Fish tank
  • Heat lamp
  • Fruits
  • Vegetables
  • Animal proteins
  • Reptile vitamin supplement
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Instructions

    • 1

      Provide a large enclosure as your pet may grow large much sooner than you expect. According to Animal Planet's Reptile Guide, a full grown slider turtle can be as large as 12 inches long and will need an enclosure that holds at least 55 gallons of water. Typical enclosures are plastic, glass or acrylic. Acrylic tends to scratch and may not be the best choice for a slider and its sharp claws.

    • 2
      Slider turtles enjoy basking.

      Provide a basking area. The semi-aquatic slider turtle can spend hours basking in the hot sun. According to Doctors Fosters and Smith, this is an environmental perk you can easily replicate for captive turtles. Provide sliders with an artificial heat source in the form of a basking bulb. This bulb should only heat one end of the tank, leaving the other end cooler so the turtle can move from warm to cool to regulate its own body temperature.

    • 3

      Feed your turtle fresh fruits and vegetables often. The majority (at least 50 percent) of a slider turtle's diet should consist of fruits and vegetables such as greens, carrots, squash, sweet potatoes, apples, berries and grapes. No more than 25 percent of the turtle's diet should consist of commercially prepared turtle foods such as the kinds found in pet shops. The remaining 25 percent of your turtle's diet should consist of animal proteins that are found in live foods such as worms, snails and feeder fish. Provide a high quality vitamin supplement daily.

    • 4

      Handle sliders with caution. Their claws are extremely sharp and they will use them to escape being picked up. Only handle the turtle when necessary as they are not domestic animals and may be fearful of handling. Pick them up from above by the sides of the shell. Situate your hand just below the middle of the shell to remain out of bite range. Although sliders are not prone to aggressive biting, they may deliver a painful bite if they sense a threat.

    • 5

      Maintain a clean environment for the health and safety of your pet. According to Animal Planet's reptile guide, clean water is essential to the health of aquatic and semi-aquatic turtles. Remove the turtle to a safe temporary location and clean the tank thoroughly with very hot water anytime the tank water begins to appear murky and dark. Remove any uneaten food daily to prevent rotting food from dirtying your pet's home.