What to Feed a Baby Yellow Bellied Slider Turtle

I love my pet turtle, and I like sharing tips on how to intendance for these reptiles.

How long tin turtles stay out of h2o? What do pet turtles swallow? Find out everything you need to know here.

David Dilbert from Pexels via Canva.com

Turtles equally Pets

So, I call back every child goes through a phase where they want a turtle. I myself did. I had three.

My start turtle, Squirtle, concluded up being a complete disaster because I had no idea what I was doing. In my state, North Carolina, it is illegal to own a Yellowish Belly Slider, which was precisely what she was. So I couldn't really accept her to a local pet store and say, "Hey, tell me how to have intendance of it."

I was a young teen, recently 13, and proud, so of course, I had the typical teenage disease called laziness. I wasn't about to sit in that location and look up information; I wanted my mom to do it for me. And so I decided to write an article for the parents of kids who desire a turtle. Here are the dos and don'ts, proper care, setup, and risks of having a pet turtle. I hope this volition assistance make up one's mind whether or not a turtle is an appropriate pet for your child/children.

This is my crimson-eared slider, and, yes, his name is Puppy.

Is a Turtle Right for My Family?

That is the biggest question of all. If you honestly remember your child(s) won't take intendance of it, then don't become information technology. A turtle does have special needs that must exist met to ensure practiced health and a long life. Most people overlook this aspect when getting a turtle.

When you get a dog or a cat, they have special needs, preparation and vet expenses, toys, etc. Although turtles don't need as much, if they're not properly taken care of, they will die. On the other hand, if they are well taken care of, they can live for long periods of time, decades even.

The Setup: Turtle Habitat, Tank, and Water Supply

• The tank must exist at least 40 gallons.
• You lot need a state area also as a h2o expanse.
• You take to have a heat lamp. Turtles savor in the lord's day in the wild because the dominicus helps them produce a vitamin necessary for expert health; your lamp will act as the sun. Without it, over time, your turtle will die. This is where I went wrong with Squirtle. Dissimilar types of turtles require different temperatures. Aquatic turtles cannot retain rut for every bit long as terrestrials. Around 80°F during the day, 70°F at night.
• Turtles require 12 hours of lord's day a mean solar day!
• Also, do non take your turtle in and out of the tank; it can severely bear upon its immune organization.
• Keep your turtle abroad from any other pets that tin practice harm to information technology. If you lot look back at the moving-picture show of Puppy, yous can see some discolored lines on his crush. The previous possessor's dog got a hold of him. Thankfully, all he came out with was a few scratches on his beat out.
• Whatever sort of woods chips in the habitat is a big no. These tin be fatal if eaten and they fuel the growth of fungus and mold.
• Your turtle should have some sort of a shelter; this can be forest or stone.
• Many people want to add plant life to the habitat. Just be sure, if they're real, that they're non poisonous to your turtle because information technology will endeavour to eat them. Things such as duckweed, water lilies, and h2o hyacinths are all poisonous.
• Tap water is another large no. The chemicals in the water can negatively touch on the PH. Employ a natural bound water for their drinking and a not-chlorinated h2o for the pond area. (You can leave tap water out 24 hours before putting it in the tank to remove the chlorine.)
• Keep the tank clean. Would you lot want to live in a filthy house?
• As with any other pet, good hygiene is a must. If y'all're going to handle your turtle, wash your hands before and later handling. Some turtles do bear salmonella. Washing your easily before prevents yous from giving anything harmful to your turtle and washing them after prevents him from giving anything to you.

A Turtle's Nutrition

What should I feed my turtle? Information technology'south non a dog, so table scraps volition not do. Y'all should feed your turtles with the same mindset I wish I had for myself: a healthy, counterbalanced nutrition.

Almost turtles consume a variety of things ranging from berries to live fish.

Vegetables? Yes. Lettuce, cabbage, spinach, alfalfa, and clover are skilful choices.

Live casualty tin include things such equally: earthworms, crickets, mealworms, and feeder fish (goldfish and guppies). Make sure y'all don't give your turtle too much live food. It is best that yous go on them split up until feeding fourth dimension considering, chances are, your turtle will overeat.

Fresh liver is a great choice of meat for your turtle, but make sure any meat you give, other than live casualty, is cooked. Craven, freshwater fish, and boiled egg whites are all great choices.

The older your turtle is the less protein it needs, and then be careful when feeding.

As well, it is practiced to have food sticks in your turtle's diet. I use Tetra ReptoMin.

Read More than From Pethelpful

Seems similar a lot of work? It isn't all that much. Y'all don't accept to cook separate meals for your turtle. If you're making fresh chicken for dinner, cut off a small corporeality and cook information technology unseasoned and at that place you go. Making a salad? Tear off some lettuce and put information technology in the food dish.

What to Feed a Turtle

Exist sure to include food sticks in your turtle's diet, such as Tetra ReptoMin.

Vegetables	Alive Prey	Cooked Fish
Lettuce	Earthworms	Chicken
Cabbage	Crickets	Freshwater fish
Spinach	Mealworms	Boiled egg whites
Alfalfa	Feeder fish	–
Clover	–	–

Risks of Owning a Pet Turtle

There really aren't that many risks of having a turtle for a pet.

• Salmonella: There will always be a gamble of salmonella, but that is simply if you don't use proper hygiene.
• Biting: Turtles exercise bite. They may not accept teeth, but they seize with teeth, and they bite hard. I have been bitten a few times, simply this generally just happens if yous become poking around in their faces.
• Sickness: If you notice blotchy patches on your turtle's pare or cloudy eyes, this may exist because of a poor diet, but it is ever good to take it to a veterinary who knows almost reptiles.
• The turtle's death: And if your kid(s) tend to get attached to things, there's e'er the risk of the turtle dying. If you accept proper care of information technology, so it shouldn't be an issue for a long while.

Is Getting a Turtle the Correct Pick for You lot?

That is for you lot and merely y'all to make up one's mind. I have had my turtle for almost three years now, and I oasis't had whatsoever problems other than the issues with his scratched shell. I dearest my turtle, and I think information technology's an fantabulous pet that tin teach kids responsibility.

I hope this commodity will be helpful to y'all with your decision almost turtles, whether it's for your child or for you!

This content is authentic and true to the best of the writer'due south knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

Sun24 on August thirteen, 2020:

Duckweed is proficient for my turtle. Practise your enquiry earlier reading this.

moon751 on June 29, 2020:

what temperature should the muzzle be for a ornate wood turtle ????

Anonymous on June 13, 2020:

Can I have my red eared slider turtle outside in my backyard?

Karenk77 on June 08, 2020:

Hello I bought two new musk turtles today put them in my set up, but both have sadly died chip confused could anyone shed some light on what I could of done wrong delight

ABC123 on May 12, 2020:

the turtles nails are getting long should I cut them

washeredummies on May 03, 2020:

I remember it was proficient but I wish yous have me more data about my turtles needs PPPLLLEEEAAASSSEEE

Big Son on Nov ten, 2019:

Lol rookie mistake ayush.

ayush on November 10, 2019:

i kept my turtle in water under the dominicus for 2hr now she is no more

kc on August xv, 2019:

I have had a baby pet alligator snapping turtle for 3 years and I kept her in a smaller tank with one fish toy and she is fine. She eats any kind of fish food and makes a great pet. So this girl said that they need twoscore gallons of h2o in nuts my tank is five gallons. bye1

jayden on Baronial 05, 2019:

spinach tin be very bad for many turtles do research on diet before hand red eared slider (a common u.s.a. pet) cannot eat spinach

Karen1972 on July 26, 2019:

some of the things she's said is bullcrap, she never said anything about different species of turtles will need different needs like dissimilar temperatures of the h2o, information technology's the aforementioned for the basking expanse only they volition need two different kinds of light to savor under. she never mentioned that the tank will need a pump/filter all species of turtles are cold-blooded, so they will demand a h2o heater to continue them warm in the water. as for the plants she's mentioned non all of them are poisonous, turtles can swallow duckweed and hyacinth plants non all species of turtles will eat plants or fruit though. she also says something almost tap water being a big NO, but then goes on to say U Tin Get out TAP H2o OUT 24 HOURS B4 PUTTING It IN THE TANK TO REMOVE THE CHLORINE. all I've got to say is practice proper research cuz laziness volition kill ur turtle then u will wish u had washed the proper intendance.

Big son on July 16, 2019:

This is bullshit, the truth is that any aquatic turtle would rather muddy h2o that they can't be seen in. And you don't what and so ever need to melt food for your turtle. What do y'all think they eat in the wild.and your turtle does not demand to be separated from your alive casualty. It wont over estrus. And tap water wont hurt your turtle at all. This is truly bullshit. And dont feed your aquatic turtle vegetables or fruits they don't really swallow that in the wild. I hope I helped

jay on Apr 30, 2019:

my turtle died

AJ on January 11, 2019:

I put my RES turtle (3 inches) in a feeding container and left it to eat for 2 hours like I ever do only this fourth dimension when I came back, he was dead. I idea it was weird because he usually floats and doesn't even need to swim... Did he drown?

Angela on Nov 12, 2018:

I have a 2-inch infant red-eared slider turtle which is illegal to own since its two inches below the legal length. I give it nutrient but it doesn't swallow it. I'm worried about it and was wondering what I should practise. Whatsoever communication would exist helpful.

Deana on September 20, 2018:

Duckweed is good for turtles I don't know where you lot got that from. I always feed my turtle Duckweed.

melissa on Baronial 06, 2018:

hi, I've had my xanthous belly turtle at present for 21 years and I never permit him under a heat lamp or UVB lamp fifty-fifty though I've read turtles need one he has a bad reaction to it and I ever make certain the lamp is not also close just no matter what I do he ends up with ruby optics and then they water a lot. autonomously from that he does cracking he'southward 9 inches long now and I'grand making I new enclosure for him this calendar month cant await does anyone know how long they live for and since he's been with me for a long time he'south starting to shred his shell less now is that normal?

Stephen & Aileen on July xiv, 2018:

We have to RES turtles . A female and male person . Female person is twice the size of the male person . Recently we noticed that the female was nipping at the male person . Knocking him off the basking area . Basically looked like she was bullying him . So we separated them before something serious happens. I have read that it could exist a mating matter or a territorial issue. But how do we know we made the right motility ?

Seth on June 11, 2018:

One final thing turtles need 10 gallons for every inch of shell diameter, and then a red ear slider will demand upwards of 120 gallon tank than 20 more than gallons per turtle, male turtles are by and large much smaller than females however less colorful

Seth on June xi, 2018:

Some other thing the basking area has to be 100% dry out, water heaters are a must however you want a guard to encompass information technology, if a turtle can't 100% get dry out mold, mucus and fifty-fifty shell rot can have place, if a turtle gets ill y'all need to keep the basking area around 95F

Seth on June 11, 2018:

Yous left out UVB low-cal which is needed for the turtle to process calcium, a bulb that produces both UVB and UVA is platonic such as a murcery vapor seedling. Water Hyacinth and duckweed are not toxic to many aquatic turtles, I believe water hyacinth is only toxic to dogs. H2o lettuce is a fantastic plant to apply, grows fast multiply apace o and floating plants aid remove turtle waste similar ammonia and nitrates. Duckweed on the other mitt same drill expect its loftier in protein.

Jolyn Hayward on May 01, 2018:

I have a mother turtle and her baby. The female parent has merely started trying to bite her baby. Is this normal beliefs ?? Should I separate them??

B on March 14, 2018:

Likewise there are turtles that don't grow to be very big at all for instance the mutual musk turtle which can sometimes and usually merely abound to exist ii to 3 inches with the bigger ones reaching 4 and a behemoth existence 5 inches. They wouldn't need a 40 gallon tank being only 2 inches long. Possibly you shouldn't generalize all turtles seeing as how in that location are hundreds of different types

B on March 14, 2018:

12 hours of sun? That means they'd literally be basking half the day. no pond, no eating. Simply basking. They need 4 to 8 hours at most depending on species. As a affair of fact, Some species don't fifty-fifty savour at all. Some of your info is inaccurate and 12 hours of bright calorie-free might even stress your turtle out. The sun isn't even up for 12 hours a day. I'1000 just saying. Study a chip more and update your article

Bianca on January 25, 2018:

Howdy, my turtle's scules seem similar they are peeling, but only the edges of them and information technology has been similar that since I got him two weeks ago (Is that normal??) . I also have never seen him on the basking rock. I am not sure if he is ill or if he is still getting used to his tank.

This is a class pet so I am trying to make sure we have a salubrious turtle!

Anna5000 on August 21, 2017:

I had 3 Yellowish bellied sliders. Even though I have a big tank with 27 C water temperature, a overnice basking area and UV lamp for turtles, even if I kept the water clean and I fed the turtles properly and I have a potent filter in their tank, they all died. Today died my last turtle, after a few weeks of desperation. I do not sympathise what I did wrong. She started to stay day and night on the basking area, refused to eat and did not opened her eyes anymore. That happened with the other turtles I had too. I hoped that this little i will survive... I took care of them properly, exactly how is specified. I raised the temperature in the tank a little to help their immune system, but they died anyhow. I feel guilty now for having them, I'm thinking that if I never bought them then they will be alive. I practice not empathize, what I was wrong with?

Betty Gates on July 24, 2017:

Thank y'all loved your mail. I've had my Yellow bellied sliders for 3 years now and my they accept grown! From an inch effectually to almost 8 inches now, merely even a 55 gallon tank is to small for them. Unless you can dedicate your whole house to them. It's a very adept idea to think about long term. Get turtles that don't get too big or get ones that are from your area. Luckily my son is making a pond in the dorsum yard for my ii turtles and fish. Use your caput...unless you lot wanna eat turtle soup(yuck). With red and yellow bellied sliders please get fish for the tank. Get some goldfish and as well get some bait fish(small minnows). They won't eat the goldfish unless they are the but ones left. But will consume the small-scale bait fish(never heard that one! effort information technology they don't want the fatty fish). At .five to .x cents a piece supplant the bait fish. It becomes a very good indicator on water quality(similar the birds that died in the mines years agone). If your fish die, so will your turtles eventually. Now my babies will thrive and relish in a natural sun. I was totally ignoring they need vegetation as well. Please spend 5 minutes and look it all upwards. Proceed turtles safety and people likewise.

Gabi on July 04, 2017:

I found a turtle in the fountains. Its a yellow bellied slider. I alive in Korea so, I knew she was a pet. Thank yous so much. I promise I take good care of her.

Sinrick on June 05, 2017:

My boyfriend and I have a 7-year old female red-eared slider turtle, she died last night. If I take read this article earlier nosotros bought our carmine cherry-eared slider, her tragic decease could accept been avoided. We prayed and beg for her forgiveness for beingness such a lousy possessor. In this few months my boyfriend only change the water one time a week(with a underwater filter). The temperature here at the Philippines is so high 86.0 °F. Her male person cerise-eared slider companion is still live and virtually six years former past now. Is information technology notwithstanding worth if we keep the male one or do nosotros need to set him complimentary? I am very depressed and scared that the male slider might die too. :'(

Me on May 24, 2017:

I accept had me red ear slider for 14 years... he has never had land and when he has he flattens it or pushes it out of the water... he has always had tap water in his tank... he is 100% healthy

Trinity Stehley on Apr 29, 2017:

I got a box turtle from the wild on my driveway.How do I take care of it?

Jay on April eighteen, 2017:

Can you take information technology out sometimes?

Patricia on February 10, 2017:

You actually have to have a UVB lamp that acts as the sun forth with a heat lamp. Zoo med makes a skillful philharmonic that isn't terribly expensive. Both lamps are crucial to the health of your turtle.

rhaquel on January 16, 2017:

never give the turtle the wrong nutrient

Jennifer kendrick on January 02, 2017:

I have 4 turtles I accept a xx gallon tank for the 2 big turtles and I have to small turtles in another tank the big ones are new to family so what should I practice I feed them like I should is information technology normal for them to desire to escape tank

Anand on November 20, 2016:

Excellent commodity, i had a turtle and he died today i am do deplorable.

nijhum piyal on Oct 28, 2016:

this will be very helpful for me to maintain my new baby turtle, I usually give him/her x to 12 pellets and two to 3 boiled rice. is information technology enough for him? it is iii/3 and 1/2 inches i size

leon on September 17, 2016:

Thank you for your thoughtfulness. I don't have one. Just trying to get info. I had 1 simply it died. Simply I too want a turtle for Christmas.

Ja on August 11, 2016:

My turtle has recently pulled into its crush. What to do. Put food in tank water in tank no actions. Expressionless?

Anthony on August 01, 2016:

You say that we shouldn't take them out of the tank, but what if that's the merely fashion to clean the tank? If you clean it by hand, so you have to take the turtle out

Lois on May 08, 2016:

Thank you so much for this helpful, straightforward comment.

james on April 22, 2016:

this really helped thanks a lot you look really pretty

riya agrawal on March 13, 2016:

yes it did thnxx

R Johnson on Feb 23, 2016:

We have had our two painted turtles for five plus years, at that place was a learning curve but now I have it downwards, they like me and I similar them :)

They have a xl gallon tank with a turtle topper basking platform, a expert potent basking lamp, lots of adept food and fish to chase. I know where they came from and maybe someday they will become back dwelling, one time big plenty not to be a mouthful for a fish or bird.

supercalafragilisticexpedaladocias on September thirteen, 2014:

i defenseless a yellowbelly past the pond and now i know how to take intendance of information technology:)

EmilyNSams (author) from Northward Carolina on June 08, 2014:

Definitely! If you permit them, they will swallow feeders. It's actually pretty common to give him 1 on occasion since it stimulates his natural prey drive.

edcasa on June 04, 2014:

I have a baby yellowish abdomen turtle. I feed him his food (sticks) everyday as planed, but I do take minor gold feeders (fish) but it seems like he has lil interest. Is that normal?

hurleygirl on July 05, 2013:

Thank you and then much!! I caught a painted turtle at a nigh past creek and had no thought how to take intendance of him! : )

shardae on September xi, 2011:

Thank you so much this article has been very helpful :)

wowedding from USA on August 05, 2011:

Welcome to Hubpage~

EmilyNSams (writer) from North Carolina on August 04, 2011:

Cheers! :D

Tom Cornett from Ohio on August 04, 2011:

Great start Hub! Caring for any pet can be a chore....but well worth it. Welcome to HubPages. :)

EmilyNSams on August 04, 2011:

Thanks!

Pollyannalana from The states on August 04, 2011:

Voted upward, I had a turtle at about that age; good luck and welcome to hubs.

Polly

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Source: https://pethelpful.com/reptiles-amphibians/The-Dos-and-Donts-of-Turtle-Care

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