Care For a Red Eared Turtle

Red eared turtle are semi aquatic turtle that are quite admired by people as a pet. These types of turtles require proper attention and care in order to survive. These turtles are not overly demanding like other pets. They can be kept in small plastic bowls. These turtle can live up to 75 years or more. Their life span is totally dependent on the facility you provide them. The length of average red eared turtle is 12 inches. Male red eared turtle are smaller than the female ones. However, they have claws on the front legs and longer tails as compare to female ones. Along with proper housing they require proper food, temperature, water to survive. Care for a red eared turtle involves understanding and fulfilling the needs of a red eared turtle.

It is important for one to fulfill basic requirements of their pet red eared turtle in order to sustain its health. Some basic requirements of red eared turtle are mention below.

Requirements of red eared turtle:

1. Tank for red eared turtle: As they are semi aquatic animals, therefore they require large amount of water tank for swimming and an area where they can get out of the water for basking. The size of tank they require is dependent on the size of red eared turtle you own. It should be large enough so that your pet turtle can swim properly. The basking area should be provided by keeping rocks, large gravels or by keeping wood in it. The tank should be designed in such a way so that it can be cleaned easily. Since red eared turtles are messy animals, therefore one needs to clean the tank frequently. Try to avoid keeping gravel in the tank but if you want it then make sure that it is large enough so that it is not accidentally eaten.
2. Water filter for red eared turtle: they require proper amount of water to swim. Since these turtles are messy creature therefore, they require water filter in their tank in order to maintain cleanliness in their tank. Make sure that the water of their tank is properly cleaned in order to avoid various diseases. An efficient water filtration system should be placed in your red eared turtle’s tank. This turtle require water change in every 45 days along with water filtration system. It is advisable to feed your turtle in a different container in order to maintain cleanliness in their tank.
3. Heater for red eared turtle: it is advisable to provide submersible heater to your pet turtle. The temperature of heater in the tank should be 75 to 86 ° F, while in the basking area; it should be 85 to 88° F.
4. Food for red eared turtle: They should be fed with green vegetables like - Aquatic plants, collards, turnip greens, red and green leaf lettuce, romaine lettuce, dandelion, chickweed, plantain weed, carrot tops, red lettuce, endive and fig leaves, grape. Try to avoid spinach, broccoli and cabbage in their diet. Squashes, peas in the pod, okra, grated or sliced carrot and sweet potatoes are good for red eared turtle.
5. Lightings for red eared turtle: It is advisable to provide UVB lights to red eared turtle as it helps in absorbing calcium. UVA lights have several psychological benefits therefore; it is also good for red eared turtle.

It is significant for owner to provide these basic things to their red eared turtle in order to sustain its health. Make sure that you provide clean and fresh environment, food and water to your red eared turtle. Owner should show love and affection to their pet red eared turtle as it will help them to stay healthy.