Red-eared sliders are one of the most popular pet turtles for hobbyists. They are attractive compared to other turtle species around. They have disc-shaped shells which are bright green with a thin yellow stripe. Their underbellies are yellowish and they have green skin. It also comes with yellow stripes or dots on their faces and legs.
They got their name because of the red spot that can be found behind their eyes. Although some turtle species look similar to them, they don’t have a red spot. The pattern of the red-eared sliders starts as bright green. It can stretch, fade, or darken as the turtle grows and matures. They are the popular choice even for beginners.
Do Red-Eared Sliders Bite?
Many pet enthusiasts prefer to have the red-eared slider turtle. That looks cute and colorful which makes them attractive. But most people who are planning on having this turtle species worry about its safety. It’s only natural especially if you have small children.
You have to know if the red-eared sliders bite or if they are poisonous before taking them home.
Yes, red-eared sliders may bite and it can be painful. But they don’t bite just because they just feel like it. These turtles might bite if they are forced to do so. They have to protect themselves to survive. There are times when the red-eared sliders will bite. But it can be prevented so you don’t have to worry.
Do Red-Eared Sliders Snap-On Their Owners?
Red-eared slider turtles are not naturally aggressive. They will not turn on their owners just for food. But if they feel threatened by your presence, they will feel the need to defend themselves. The turtle’s instinct is to bite or snap on anyone who makes them feel threatened or scared.
However, they will usually just retract on their shells until the danger is gone. Their bite is painful but not that dangerous. It will not cause damage to your finger in case you get bitten. But their jaws are powerful enough to hurt small children. So it’s best to leave it alone when it looks scared and let it relax.
Why Red-Eared Sliders Bite?
1. Fingers Near the Mouth
If you put your finger near its mouth, it can be mistaken for food. Avoid having your fingers near the mouth area. It’s like telling the turtle that it can take a bite. Don’t let it mistake your finger as food. Even when feeding it, make sure to have a safe distance from its head.
Most of the time, the red-eared slider will bite you by accident. If you have an artificial pond, it’s harder to locate the turtle. It can snap your finger while you’re fixing something on the pond. Make sure not to let small children play in the turtle’s habitat since it will be more painful for them when they get bitten.
2. It Feels Threatened
If the red-eared slider turtle feels threatened, it will bite. This can happen when it’s being relocated. The length of the journey and settling in a different environment will make it feel unsafe. Bringing it home can make the turtle defensive and aggressive.
The turtle needs to be accustomed to their new environment. It will be on alert every time there is a change in its habitat. If you’re planning to make some changes, let it settle for a few weeks. That way, the turtle will feel comfortable and secure.
3. Turtle is Under Stress
When the turtle is stressed out or in a bad mood, it can be aggressive. It usually happens to everyone, even with the red-eared slider turtles. During this time, the turtle must be left alone. If not, it might bite you if you annoy it in some way.
The best thing to do is to find what’s the problem. If you can remove what’s stressing the turtle, do that. When the turtle seems to be hiding a lot or you can’t explain why it’s being too cranky, it’s time to visit the vet. The turtle may need medical attention.
4. Not Getting Enough Food
Make sure to feed the turtle enough food. If not, it will bite because the turtle is hungry. It will take every opportunity to eat. Even if it means their owner’s finger. You have to add more variety to the food you’re giving the turtle as well.
Your turtle may not like what you provide and starve itself because it’s being picky. Create a variety of their meals and observe the turtle. Make sure to provide your turtle with a healthy and well-balanced diet. It will solve the biting issue when the turtle feels satisfied with the food they eat.
5. Protecting the Eggs
When turtles lay eggs, they usually just leave them in the nest. Sea turtles do this practice of laying their eggs in the sand. After that, the female sea turtle will go back to the sea. But for the female red-eared sliders, will protect their eggs after laying them in the nest.
These turtle species are overprotective and can be aggressive during this period. You will notice that they hissed a lot and bite anyone who approaches the nest. It’s their instinct to be protective. If your turtle lays eggs, make sure to avoid bothering them.
How Painful are the Red-Eared Sliders Bite?
If you get bitten by the red-eared slider, it can be very painful. Even if they don’t have teeth, their powerful jaws and sharp beaks can hurt even adults. It may not break your skin but it will still hurt. Be careful if you have small children at home since the turtle bite can do some damage to their small fingers.
Keep in mind that the red-eared slider doesn’t just bite because they want to. There are different reasons why turtles bite. If you can take care of their issues, it won’t be a problem. Just avoid having kids near the slider since their mood might change and bite. It will be an unpleasant experience for kids.
Do You Get Infected with the Red-Eared Slider Bite?
Fortunately, you will not get infected from the red-eared slider’s bite. They are not venomous like some reptiles. But turtles are known to carry Salmonella bacteria. The red-eared slider is not an exception. Salmonella can make humans very sick. It can be transferred by just touching the turtle.
When you clean the turtle tank, be careful about this. Everything the turtle is using such as their food bowls, the rocks, or even the tank itself might be infected with Salmonella. It’s a type of bacteria that can cause diarrhea. This can also cause stomach pain and fever.
Do Red-Eared Slider Turtles Carry Salmonella?
As mentioned, reptiles and turtles carry Salmonella. They shed their dead skin cells like humans. But the difference is that their dead skin cells have the Salmonella bacteria. It can cause salmonellosis which will cause a major health problem. This can affect any humans around, especially children.
Every year, the Salmonella bacteria causes 1.4 million illnesses and around 400 deaths in the US. If you’re planning to take home a red-eared slider turtle, make sure to sanitize the area. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water. It should be done whenever you touch the turtle and its tank.
Who Is at Risk from Salmonella Bacteria?
If you have elderly or kids less than five years old at home, it’s not advisable to keep a turtle. People with diabetes or pregnant women should also avoid holding turtles. Their immune systems are not strong enough to fight the effects of the Salmonella bacteria.
Avoid keeping a turtle when you have people with weak immune systems at home. They are likely to be sick from the Salmonella bacteria from the red-eared slider. It can do more harm to them and doctors don’t advise keeping turtles or reptiles at home.
What to Do to Avoid Being Infected by Salmonella?
Washing your hands using soap and warm water after touching the turtle or its tank is a good practice. This will prevent the spread of Salmonella around your home. It will keep your family members safe from the bacteria red eared sliders may have. Clean the surface of the tank when you take the turtle out.
When you’re holding the turtle, avoid putting your hand near its mouth. Never kiss the turtle since they usually have Salmonella. Grab the turtle by its shell and place your thumb gently around the shell. It will avoid them from biting your hand. Make the turtle comfortable so it will not feel the need to defend itself.
Are Red-Eared Sliders Friendly Pets?
Yes, red-eared sliders are more friendly as pets compared to other turtle species. They can also recognize their owner’s face. Whenever you pass the turtle tank, they will try to beg for a treat from you. But the red-eared sliders are still turtles. They don’t like being handled or played with.
The red-eared slider turtles are friendly and smart. When it’s feeding time, they will show the signs that they recognize you as its owner. These turtles can be trained and even eat from your palm. Although they are not aggressive species, they will bite when they sense danger around them.
What is the Red-Eared Slider Diet?
Red-eared sliders are omnivores which means that they eat both vegetation and small animals. They need to have nice and warm surroundings to eat. The water temperature should be higher than 70F for them to feed. They also like their diet to be composed of a variety of vegetables, meat, fish, insects, and earthworms.
When feeding your turtle, make sure that it’s nutritious for them. Avoid feeding the slider foods that have little or no nutritional value. Feed the red-eared slider a variety of food to keep it healthy. If you see the turtle as specific food, don’t let it fixate on one thing. Turtles need to eat a variety of foods to have a balanced and complete diet.
Adding commercial turtle food or trout chow to your turtle’s diet is a good idea. They contain vitamins and minerals for the turtle’s nutritional needs. Introduce it to your slider and give it some time. When the turtle feels safer, it will eat the turtle food without any issues. If you have more than one slider, feed them together to become accustomed to each other.
For hatchlings or juveniles, you have to feed them every day. Just give them what they will eat as much as they want in a few minutes. For adult sliders, they should only be fed every other day. If they become observed, the turtle will be fat and will have a hard time lifting its head and limbs.
The sliders’ feeding time can be messy since they eat on the water. To avoid the water on the tank is dirty, have a separate feeding container. You can also feed the slider on the basking platform or ledge to avoid the water from getting filthy. It will be hard to always need to replace the water from the tank.
What Are the Common Health Issues of Red-Eared Sliders?
Red-eared slider turtles are possible carriers of the Salmonella bacteria. But having the proper hygiene and watching your hands will eliminate this issue. But aside from the issues about Salmonella, they may have other health issues. It’s common for red-eared slider turtles but it’s recommended to check it with the vet.
When the turtle shows any signs of sickness, you have to seek medical attention for your turtle. Although vaccination may not be required, a visit to the vet will help you find guidance. It’s also best to go back for the turtle’s annual medical examinations to ensure the safety of your pet.
1. Dietary Issues
This is the main source of illnesses in pet turtles. When they are fixated with one food alone or can be a problem. Make sure to provide your turtle with a variety of food. They need to have calcium-rich food. Providing them with a variety of food is good for their health and well-being.
However, if the red-eared slider does not have proper light exposure and a calcium-rich diet, it will develop the metabolic bone disease. The signs will show as softshells, twitching, and bone fractures. Make sure to also provide vitamin D3 for your pet turtle. Add a UV lamp to its tank so they can produce it.
2. Infections and Parasites
Infections and parasites are another common health issue with red-eared sliders. But it can be eliminated by monitoring the turtle and their habitat. Make sure to clean the turtle tank regularly and make water changes if needed. Quarantine the new animals before adding them to the turtle tank. Weigh the turtle regularly to monitor if it loses or gains weight.
When you see any parasites from the turtle’s fecal matter or its tank, ask for the right treatment from the vet. Parasites are usually microscopic but that doesn’t mean it’s not there if you can’t see them. A respiratory infection can show as bubbles front the turtle’s nose. It may also lose its appetite, have difficulty in breathing, and can’t swim properly.
3. Aggressive Behavior
When your turtle suddenly displays aggressive behavior, it can be a sign of injury. If you have other turtles on the same tank, they may be fighting. Check the turtles for signs of injury. The turtle may be hurt so it’s better to ask for the veterinarian’s advice. It may also be the time to get a separate tank for your other turtles.
What are the Requirements for Red-Eared Sliders Habitat?
Turtle Tank
When it comes to the turtle tank size, bigger is always better. Turtles will grow well if they are provided a larger habitat. The water should be 4 to 5 times longer than the red-eared slider. Itbmustbbeb1.5 deeper from the turtle’s longest dimension. Keeping multiple turtles should increase the dimension by 25%.
Plastic tanks should be fine but glass tanks are better. You can observe your turtle better and watch its mannerisms. One red-eared slider should have a 20-gallon glass tank. It’s the minimum size that you can use for one turtle. For decorations, provide a basking area where the turtle can dry off.
The substrate is not a requirement but you can add gravel at the bottom of the turtle tank. It will provide a natural-looking environment for your red-eared slider. Make sure that the decorations will not trap the turtle when it’s underwater. Remember that you need to clean the tank regularly along with the decorations so keep it to the minimum.
Small rocks and gravel are not recommended for a turtle tank. It can be ingested easily by your turtle. Adding aquatic plants can make the turtle tank look more appealing. Water hyacinth and duckweed can create an underwater cave for your turtle. It can also serve as the red bearer slider snack sometimes. So make sure not to add toxic plants inside the turtle tank.
Heat and Light
Don’t place the turtle tank under direct sunlight. It can cook the turtle since the tank can heat up fast. But you should still provide the turtle with plenty of heat and light when it’s indoors. Turtles are required to bask daily and during those times, they need to dry up and feel warm. It will help if you provide an asking lamp for your red ear slider.
When choosing the lighting for your turtle, incandescent bulbs or fluorescent bulbs are recommended. You can set up an incandescent above the basking area. While the fluorescent light is best as an overall light. You can get a full spectrum UV light that produces both heat and UVB. Make sure that it’s not blocked by glass or plastic.
The UVB lights can’t pass through glass so make sure to get rid of anything that may block it. Avoid having the light too high or the turtle will get burned. Heat is important but make sure it’s the comfortable amount for your turtle. Indoor tanks need to have supplemental heating. The right heat range should be around 80F.
You can also use a pig blanket which is a good source of heating for the turtle tank. It’s an under-tank heater that is made for reptiles and amphibians. You can find it from reptile supply shops or online. It’s also good for turtles since they are also reptiles. That will provide enough heat for your red-eared slider so its body temperature will be warm.
FAQs
1. How Big Red-Eared Sliders Grow?
Red-eared slider turtles can grow bigger than you think. You may think that they are small turtle species but that’s not true. They can reach up to two feet in length with the right care and proper habitat.
The male adult red-eared sliders also have longer tails than the female. They also have sword-like front claws and grow about 7.9ninches. While the females can grow about 11 inches which is bigger than the male sliders.
2. What is the Red-Eared Slider Lifespan?
Turtles are known to live for a long time, red-eared sliders are included. They can enjoy living for 20 years or even longer. The oldest red-eared slider turtle in captivity is recorded to be 41 years old.
In most cases, the red-eared slider turtles can be passed down from another generation. It needs a long time commitment. Caring for a red-eared slider turtle is required. It can live for a long time and you have to be ready.
3. What is the Red-Eared Slider Care Level?
Caring for red-eared slider turtles is not easy. They have specific needs so it’s recommended for intermediate and advanced turtle keepers. But if you’re a beginner but can be dedicated when it comes to caring for a slider, you can give it a try.
Caring well for red-eared sliders and providing them with the requirements it needs should be enough. You have to be committed and ready to always provide for their special needs. Even if you’re still a beginner, the red-eared slider should survive without any problems.
