Compared to other aquarium creatures, red eared sliders require a relatively large amount of space. The carapace should be dark green and the plastron should be bright yellow. Wide ranging turtle living in a variety of climates but sticking to slow moving rivers, humid habitats, and hot temperatures. Commonly called bladder stones, these occur when minerals from the diet form crystals, which then form stones. The animal will need anesthetic and professional care to ensure it is properly taken care of and no infections form. Another pet may attack and hurt your turtle, a child could open the turtles tank and drop the turtle, or any number of awful circumstances. His shell almost seems soft in spots, is that normal. Besides gross, shell rot is a fungal or bacterial infection of a turtle or tortoises shell. For example, a red eared slider with a 5inch shell length should be provided an enclosure containing 50 gallons of water to allow for adequate swimming space. They range from the tiny bog turtle, which measures 34 long, to the snapping turtle, which can reach up to 19 long. Male sliders have thick tails, elongated front claws, and are usually smaller than females. Shell problems can affect your pet for his entire life, and severely compromise his quality of life, so you owe it to your pet to seek treatment. A broken shell can be a serious problem for a box turtle.
Will reach adult size in 12 to 18 months under ideal conditions. The presence of blood in waste or mouth should cause concern. Try browsing the turtles index if youre looking for something specific. With the right setup, red eared sliders can be pretty easy to take care of. Red eared sliders complete a to z care guide red eared slider care for a healthier, happier, longer life. If the turtle doesnt have a well balanced diet with proteins, leafy greens, and calcium some use a cuttlebone which will be found in a pet stores bird section, they will not have a healthy shell. My red ear slider took a huge fall today and cracked her. The complete care guide for your red ear slider turtle for free. When i make holes in a turtle shell to accommodate a length of 18 ga wire snuggly, i use 1. A variety of problems can arise when you have a red eared slider.
When cared for properly, the red eared slider can live up to 30 years. Shell rot is the result of bacteria or fungi colonizing wounds in a turtles shell. Unlike the smoothedged shell of californias native western pond turtle actinemys marmorata, the marginal outer carapace scutes of redeared sliders are serrated or slightly forked in appearance. How to determine the gender of red eared slider turtles.
A common condition that turtle keepers face is an ear abscess. The ultimate guide to caring for a baby red ear slider turtle. You can also look at the thickness of the turtle s tail males usually have thicker tails than females. Shedding its scutes is a means to keep a turtles shell clean and free of any type of. They typically have prominent red or maroon stripes along the side of the head, to the side of each eye. This video shows how we repaired a red eared sliders shell. Pet turtle aquarium red eared slider 62 ideas for 2019 how to set up a tank for your red eared slider turtle my reptiles world 2019 red eared slider turtles are not difficult to care for if you have the right tank setup.
This subreddit is a friendly place to post all things turtle related. Shell problems now can impact the turtle for the rest of its life, so its not something to take lightly. Even minor cracks may lead to longterm health problems or infection, which may lead to serious illness or death. Sliders have a strong, sturdy and jagged beak that they use to eat plant matter and smaller aquatic animals. A turtle s shell helps to provide protection from predators. A good rule of thumb when choosing the turtle tank size is to have about 10 gallons per inch of shell turtle, so for a red eared slider thats about 3 inches long, you should ideally put him in an at least 30gallon turtle tank. Redeared slider turtle facts, habitat, diet, pet care. If you live in one of those states please check out the yellow belly turtles that we sell as an alternative turtle. To take the right measurement for your red eared slider, you stretch a line between the front of the shell and the. Turtles shed their scutes pieces of shell for many reasons. Explains how to repair a turtle or tortoise with a cracked shell.
Turtle identification our 2020 in depth guide all turtles. Apr 08, 2012 this video shows how we repaired a red eared sliders shell. When one part of a turtle s shell gets snapped by massive force, this phenomenon is known as cracked shell. Another reason that shell rot is so bad is due to the sharp edges of the turtle s shell.
Red eared slider turtles for sale in the united states. They also need clean water, so expect to change their water and clean their filters roughly once a week. When one part of a turtles shell gets snapped by massive force, this phenomenon is known as cracked shell. Shell rot in turtles is a serious problem, and if you notice the early signs of it in your red eared slider, you should correct the root cause as quickly as possible. Lesions turn into bloody color when the disease reaches its extreme condition. Redeared slider turtle trachemys scripta elegans petmd. A vitamin d3 deficiency can cause similar symptoms. Red eared slider or red ear slider is semi aquatic turtle that resides in areas with fresh, calm and warm water source like ponds, marshes, streams and lakes. Is the shell smelly or have odd colored spot on it. Baby red ear slider turtles for sale at great prices. My niece bought her and a sibling in little tokyo and gave me one that i took really good care of and eventually she forgot about her turtle and gave me my current turtle. Red eared sliders turtles are prone to certain illnesses, but most of these can be avoided through proper feeding and housing conditions.
Although minor injuries may occur in the form of bruises, burns or scratches, a healthy turtle should not have any unexplained bleeding. Like repairing a broken shell, treating shell rot usually requires veterinary assistance. A turtles head, neck, arms, legs, and tail are covered by a tough, almost leatheryskin that looks like it is covered by small scales. Aquatic turtles such as the red eared slider have several unique problems.
Understanding these problems will allow you to better care for your pet and minimize future health care issues. We have captivebred red eared slider turtles for sale at the internets lowest prices. Red eared sliders, also known as red eared terrapins, are among the most popular pet turtles in the world. You can observe these types of defects on the scutes or scutum. Click a picture below to learn more about that turtle species. Today, i received two small red eared sliders from a friend, rory and luna. Red eared slider adults have a dark brown to olive colored carapace top shell, with a yellow, patterned plastron belly shell. I hope it will help you to take care of your loved red eared slider. My red eared slider has dark shaded spots on hisher shell. Draw two lines that connect the two ovals and form the red eared slider turtles. How do you i known if my red eared slider turtles shell is healthy.
A red eared slider s shell is remarkably strong but it can be traumatized. I once saw a large yellow belly slider turtle get smoked by a car and i st. How to transport red eared slider turtles by car 6 best red slime algae removers of 2020 keeping the water in your turtle tank clean the 7 best dog jackets of 2020 before you get a box turtle. Although these are serious injuries, the shell is bone and can be repaired. Why is my red eared slider turtle shell turning black. Here is how to clean a red eared sliders turtle shell. This species gets its name from the red stripe behind its eye, and its habit of sliding off rocks or logs into the water when it is startled. Once the tip of the needle emerges from the underside of the shell, the 18ga wire fits snugly within this needle and the wire can be advanced until it has emerged above the shell and the needle then backed out. In most cases, you simply arent going to need to clean your red eared slider turtle shell. They belong to the pond turtle family, emydidae, and species trachemys scripta elegans the red eared slider is a mediumsized to largesized freshwater turtle with origins in the southeastern united states. During the process of growing up to an adult, the color of the turtle starts to change to olive or yellow. Like other turtles, redeared sliders have a fused backbone and ribs that together form their shell. Shell problems can be quite serious, especially in baby turtles. It is usually seen on wild turtles or res kept in outdoor ponds.
In certain situations, however, you may need to, and in many cases, that is a signal that there is something wrong with your tank or habitat. A drop, a fall, an animal attack or some other trauma may result in damage to the shell. Sep 29, 2009 pink under shell on a rescued yellow bellied slider sign in to. I noticed today that there is a black linning tracing his shell spots. A cracked shell is a serious health problem for your turtle that requires immediate veterinary attention to repair. Originating in north america, the red eared slider is named for the distinctive red streak on each side of its face. Jan 06, 2020 the red eared slider is named for the red line running behind its eyes and the sliding motion it makes as it slips from a rock into the water. Turtles shell seems very strong from the point of a viewer. It came in with other turtles that were found in a storm water detention pond in surrey bc. The final step to find out your red eared sliders gender, if none of the above methods are conclusive, is to look at its front claws. The problem begins when a turtles shell is damaged by a scratch, a crack, a puncture, etc. This problem is most common in aquatic turtles since theyre in and around water often. Redeared sliders complete a to z care guide redeared. Move to the next section to narrow down the type of.
Three main points are responsible for this condition of a red eared slider. It should not be pitted, soft unless a juvenile, cracked or bleeding. Why cracked shell condition happens to a red eared slider. Red eared slider ultimate care guide for turtle slider. My red eared slider turtle has severe swollenfluid body. The red eared slider trachemys scripta elegans, also known as the red eared terrapin, red eared slider turtle, red eared turtle, slider turtle, and water slider turtle, is a semiaquatic turtle belonging to the family emydidae.
It is normal to have a small amount of algae on the shell. It often takes my sliders and gopher tortoises a week or two to do that. How to easily clean a red eared sliders turtle shell. When presented with a wild turtle with a shell fracture all decisions. There are two main challenges in caring for a hatchling. Flash is the most docile of any turtle i have, but, is. It is an ear infection that is easily noticeable in the form of a lump on either one or both sides of the head. Your hatchling turtle s new shell is still a bit soft, as it was designed to be for hatching. It is the most popular pet turtle in the united states and is also popular as a pet across the rest of the world.
They are the original dimestore turtleuntil the federal government banned the sale of babies and juveniles smaller than 4 inches due to salmonella concerns in 1975, that is. Some types of shell and skin disease can develop due to inadequate nutrition or injury. My red eared slider jumped out of his tank and onto the floor before i could stop him. Recently hatched res will have a slightly soft carapace that is a lighter green shade. It is the most popular pet turtle in the united states and is also popular.
The red eared slider is primarily aquatic and will emerge from the water for basking. If your turtle seems to shed constantly, or if you notice cracks in his shell or skin, see a vet. What if a red eared slider turtles shell is really soft and. Forms of bleeding may occur through the cloaca, eyes, mouth, nose, shell and skin. This can make your red eared slider prone to infection or even lead to internal problems. The fine light patterns turn darker, while some part of the shell get hues of yellow, white or even red. If your slider has a soft shell or weakened legs that lead to problems eating, it has a calcium deficiency that can easily be prevented with proper. Red eared slider turtle for sale reptiles for sale. The lower shell is the plastron and includes the ribs. If you want to avoid spending money you can go to a pet store. Unfortunately, this is not a do it yourself kind of thing. I own a red eared slider and have only just realised that he is shedding. I noticed that the turtle was pink under its shell which ive already looked up and found its. Hi i just recently adopted a 10 year old red eared slider, this being my first turtle i am very new caring for them though have had lots of experience with other reptiles, but what i have noticed is that he looks like he is almost shedding but its been steady for the past 4 days since i got her is this normal, there is no cottony like slime on the shell just on her actual.
The reptile guy fixing a broken turtle shell youtube. But it is very common for a hairline crack to also be present where the. Mar 18, 2016 redeared sliders also called redeared terrapins have been the most popular and commonly kept pet turtle for decades. These are some of the most popular pet reptiles on the planet due to their beautiful coloration and personable demeanor. This post can serve as a handy resource for baby red ear slider turtle care as you start to learn the ropes of caring for a baby turtle. Again, shell rot can happen if the red eared slider spends too much time in the water. Trachemys scripta elegans we have thousands of exotic reptiles for sale from top breeders from around the world. If youre interested in a lifelong friend, a red eared slider turtle makes a wonderful pet. The carapace of a baby redeared slider is marked with fine patterns of yellowgreen to dark green markings upon a greenish base. Anytime your turtle experiences problems with his shell, veterinary. I have a baby red eared slider and i think he has shell rot. Upon getting home, rory started being very lethargic, despite him being rather energetic on the car ride and he would keep his eyes closed. Shell rot is basically the softening and crumbling of a turtles shell. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets.
How to care for a red eared slider turtle with pictures. It is also the most popular breed of pet turtle in the us and is widely kept as pet around the world. I placed him and luna into a 20 gallon aquarium theyre pretty small. Wild turtles may be found on the side of the road having been hit by a car and they can have serious shell fractures. What if a red eared slider turtles shell is really soft. Draw an oval on its side as a guide for the red eared slider turtles shell. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading red eared sliders complete a to z care guide red eared slider care for a healthier. These turtles are great swimmers, and they really enjoy spending most of their time underwater. Ensure that your turtle climbs out of the water and spends much time in a warm place. If so, this is shell rot and the turtle needs to be seen by a vet and get proper medication. Although egg laying and normal wandering can be the stimulus for an overland trip, so can poor water conditions in their pond. Red eared slider wont move and possibly has soft shell. You red eared sliders environment is a huge factor in determining its health. Shell rot is an unfortunately common issue in turtles, even though its easy to avoid.
The red eared slider looks much like a painted turtle, but has two red marks the ears behind its head, a higher domed carapace. The red eared slider turtle is one of the most popular and most commonly kept pet turtles. Are the turtle s eyes bright or are they sunken from dehydration. All turtles sold are for research, export of scientific purposes. If your turtle has a cracked shell, it needs to go to a vet. Primary accessories to properly house a red eared slider are a water filtration system, a water heater, a basking dock and a basking lamp. About a month into having both of these babies in a 20 gal tank with quarter of it water to swim and basking area, my baby turtle passed away. I generally pick whatever foreign material i can discover out with bayonet or ear forceps. Pink under shell on a rescued yellow bellied slider. I just got my red ear slider and geographic map turtle they are in good. The upper portion, or carapace, is made of flat bones covered by broad scales and is connected to the backbone and ribs. Pet turtles tend to have more subtle signs but these can include a red tinge to areas of the shell, slime over the shell, a bad smell, flaking of the scutes and an easily damaged shell.
How to fix shell rot in red eared sliders tiny underwater. This article will quickly teach you how to recognize healthy peeling, and what to expect. Learn the signs of healthy versus unhealthy shedding in aquatic and land turtles. Wild turtles generally present dehydrated and in poor body condition with a mosscovered malodorous shell. If your red eared slider falls on hisher shell from a considerable height, there is a high possibility of shell cracking. Since it can be difficult to look into a reluctant turtles mouth, a visit to the appropriate vet is recommended to get the correct treatment.
If your slider has a soft shell or weakened legs that lead to problems eating, it has a calcium deficiency that can easily be prevented with proper supplementation. The snapping turtle is quite large turtles with carapace lengths of 8 to 18. Sh ell rot is the common way to say a turtle has an infection of its shell, which can be secondary to damage or poor husbandry. Turtle shell peeling is a normal, natural process that all turtle species go through. The shell of a red ear slider should be hard and relatively smooth. Redeared slider turtle facts, habitat, diet, pet care, pictures. Whether it is a crack, a hole or missing scutes, this is a complex problem that needs. He is bleeding and it seems to be coming from a crack on his bott read more. The red eared slider, also called the red eared terrapin, is an american breed of turtles widely spread across the usa, and is quickly becoming an invasive species in many parts of the world. How long can my pet red slider turtle be out of water. Though many such issues are a result of improper food or housing, sometimes the unexpected happens.
It begins to develop when semiaquatic turtles dont get proper basking areas or heating red ear yellow belly sliders, map turtles, etc. Considering the total number of turtles and tortoises traded globally, this breed is the most. Jul 07, 2010 if the turtle doesnt have a well balanced diet with proteins, leafy greens, and calcium some use a cuttlebone which will be found in a pet stores bird section, they will not have a healthy shell. These are the techniques for how to treat shell rot in red eared slider. Apr 01, 2005 florida soft shell and red eared slider. This armor consists of a top shell, the carapace, and bottom shell, the plastron, that are joined together by the bridge. Anytime your turtle experiences problems with his shell, veterinary care is necessary. My red earedslider turtle has a small crack on his shell. There are several sliders including the cumberland slider, the yellowbellied slider, and the red eared slider. A turtle s head, neck, arms, legs, and tail are covered by a tough, almost leatheryskin that looks like it. The bony shell is covered with a thin layer of epithelium, which produces the hard outer shell layer, called the scutes.
Prices will be determined by the amount ordered, species ordered, and freight to their destinations. Well this is tricky as i do not know what trauma the turtle experienced to crack its shell but here. A four months old red eared turtle was brought to the avian and exotic pet unit aepu, madras veterinary college with a history of some irregular dark spots on the dorsal aspect of shell. How do i clean the my red eared sliders shell, wiping him. Feb 03, 2007 how do i clean the my red eared sliders shell, wiping him with a warm cloth gets most of the slime off but can i hurt him by rubbing too hard or trying to clean all the crevices. Whether it is a crack, a hole or missing scutes, this is a complex problem that needs immediate attention.
Pet turtles tend to have more subtle signs but these can include a red tinge to areas of the shell, slime over. If you can even the edges of the cracks its possible to close the crack with crazy glue or the glue that is used for holdin. Daily routine of a red eared slider turtle youtube. A build up of minerals on your turtles shell is another water quality. If you notice black spots on the shell of your red eared slider, there is a possibility the red eared slider has shell rot. My red ear slider took a huge fall today and cracked her shell and. Cracks fractures in the carapace upper shell are usually apparent. Please be advisedno red ear slider turtles will be shipped to anyone in the following states florida, virginia, georgia, massachusetts, maine or oregon. In general, male red eared sliders have very long front claws that they use in their mating dance. Find out everything you need to house your semiaquatic pet. Jan 26, 2008 my red eared slider has dark shaded spots on hisher shell and has lost hisher appetite.
Since red eared sliders require a high amount of water in their tank at all times, theyre as susceptible to shell rot like any other aquatic turtle. Baby red eared slider turtles for sale underground reptiles. He sits under the lamp so long that he is completly dry and his eyes even get a coating over them. In most cases, a red eared turtle survives cracked shell situation if it is not severe. I found a turtle with a cracked shell, can it survive and. Native turtle found upside down on a hot busy roadside after probably hit by a car. Jun 01, 2008 i just bought my turtle this weekend and he does not want to go in the water just sits on the dry area under the lamp. Red eared sliders i saw basking in the sun on my bike ride today. You can donate and support this wonderful wildlife rescue at hello and welcome back to another didimitten. Pin by britanie cleve on red eared slider turtle, pet. Draw a smaller oval on the top right side as a guide for the turtles head. The scutes are platelike scales similar in composition to the keratin of fingernails. All you do is take a new toothbrush, tap a little of the stuff on it and rub it around the shell, it supports it with the vitamins and gives it the.