Diet
Juveniles are mainly carnivorous, and become more omnivorous as they reach adulthood. The diet should be balanced and include a variety of meat-based protein sources and fresh plant material. Do not rely simply on commercial diets. Juveniles should be fed daily, whereas, adults can be fed every other day. Turtles are messy eaters so it is best to move the turtle to a separate feeding tank. This may also help reduce the amount the turtle defecates in the water of his cage. Allow the turtle to eat for 15 minutes before moving it back to the aquarium.
INGREDIENTS
EACH meal should contain ingredients from the following categories: |
Commercial diets
(Less than 25% of the diet) |
- Trout chow
- High quality, reduced-fat, dog kibble (occasionally)
|
- Commercial floating pellets or sticks for fish, reptiles, or turtles
|
|
Animal protein
(Less than 25% of the diet for adults) |
- Live feeder fish (occasionally)
- Earthworms
- Finely chopped raw lean beef or beef heart
- Cooked chicken
- Snails
|
- Tubifex worms
- Mealworms
- Waxworms
- Pinkie mice
- Crickets
- Bloodworms
|
|
|
Vegetation
(50% or more of the diet) |
- Collard greens
- Mustard greens
- Dandelions
- Carrots (shredded root and top)
- Squash
- Green beans
- Sweet potatoes
|
- Apples (shredded)
- Melon
- Berries
- Bananas
- Grapes
- Tomatoes
- Plums, peaches, nectarines (NO PITS)
|
|
| Supplements |
- Dust all foods at each feeding with a general high ratio calcium-mineral supplement containing Vitamin D-3 such as Rep-Cal or Miner-All
- Use a vitamin supplement twice a week
- Offer cuttlefish bone as another calcium source
|
Summary
Red-eared Sliders can make good pets, but keeping them healthy will require time and expense. The turtle, itself, may not be expensive, but remember that properly equipping the habitat, supplying quality food, and providing veterinary care will cost money. There are many turtles available for adoption because the owners did not understand the time and expense necessary to properly provide for a turtle. So, before purchasing a turtle, give it careful consideration, and then you may want to contact a turtle adoption or rehoming organization, and give an abandoned turtle a much-needed home.
