Red-Eared Sliders Fun Facts
December 12, 2022
Those cute little turtles the size of a toonie that you find in the pet store can make an interesting first-time pet for young kids. Not only are they easy to keep, they can teach your child valuable lessons in caring for a living creature.
Red-eared sliders get their name from the two red stripes on either side of their heads. They are semi-aquatic turtles and are related to the pond slider.
Aptly named for their skill to swiftly and imperceptibly slide off rocks to escape from prey (or just to take a refreshing dip), the red-eared slider is native to the shores of the Mississippi River. In Canada, they are considered an invasive species, as they are often released into the wild when they get too big and are no longer wanted as a pet.
Fun Facts About Red Eared Sliders
Red-eared sliders will grow four inches in the first year.
In the next couple of years, a red-eared slider is considered mature.
Female red-eared slider grows larger in size than males, measuring in at 10 to 12 inches or 25 to 31 cm.
Male red-eared sliders measure between two and four inches smaller than females, growing up to 8 and 10 inches or 20 to 25 cm.
Red-eared sliders need fresh, filtered water and a tank big enough to support healthy growth.
At maturity, they need a 75 to 120 gallon tank or 10 gallons of water for every inch length of turtle.
Water temperature should be between 23 to 26 degrees Celsius.
About a fifth of the tank should be a dry area, 10 degrees warmer, for your slider to relax and soak up the warmth.
Red-eared sliders have poor hearing, but a heightened sense of smell. They also have excellent eyesight.
Their shells are very sensitive and they don’t enjoy being handled.
Red-eared sliders have a sharp beak and can leave a nasty bite.
Always wash your hands after handling your red-eared slider or cleaning their tank.
The best place to find a red-eared slider to bring home as a pet is a rescue centre specializing in turtles. Your local humane society is also a very good place to start looking. Little RES Q is a turtle and reptile sanctuary located in Pefferlaw, Ontario. They are currently at maximum capacity when it comes to rescued turtles, but welcome new adoptions and donations. Adopting a RES from a sanctuary like this would give an abandoned turtle a great home.