Yellow-Bellied Slider: Species Profile

One of the vital widespread pet turtles, yellow-bellied sliders are long-lived aquatic turtles. Some even stay as much as 40 years in captivity. These turtles spend most of their time within the water, however not like amphibians, they want to have the ability to get out of the water to dry off and relaxation.

So far as turtles go, this species is reasonably simple to look after. Normally, aquatic turtles require plenty of tank upkeep. Intently associated to red-eared sliders, these turtles additionally want a large tank as adults. These widespread pets are distinguished by their shells, that are brown or black with yellow stripes. Their underbelly or decrease shell is yellow with black spots, therefore its identify. This turtle’s native vary is the southeastern U.S. from Florida to Virginia.

Yellow-Bellied Slider Conduct and Temperament

The slider is a diurnal turtle, which means it’s most lively through the day. They have a tendency to eat very first thing within the morning, and within the wild will spend many of the remainder of the day basking within the solar. Captive yellow-bellied sliders are also most lively through the day.

Like most turtles, yellow-bellied sliders don’t like dealing with; this will trigger undue stress for them. Over time, you may be capable to get them accustomed to dealing with, however after they really feel threatened, they are going to chew.

These curious, amiable reptiles are entertaining pets if cared for correctly. They may by no means be cuddly pets like a canine or cat, however yellow-bellied sliders are likely to have distinctive personalities that endear them to their homeowners.

Housing the Yellow-Bellied Slider

Aquariums are good for younger sliders, however as these turtles mature, their dimension makes housing them a bit tougher. The perfect tank dimension for an grownup slider is 75 to 100 gallons. Present a basking dock and clear water on your turtle housed indoors.

These turtles eat and go away fecal matter of their aquatic residence. You will want to put in a tank filter rated for 2 to a few instances the quantity of water you could have in your tank. You should utilize canister filters or submersible organic filters. If you do not have a filter, you will have to do weekly partial water modifications and water high quality testing, one thing that’s each time-consuming and messy. If the water stays soiled, your turtle can develop varied well being points.

Deal with water with a water conditioner earlier than utilizing it. The water conditioner will take away chlorine and different harsh water components that may disturb your organic filter and your pet’s high quality of life.

In case you have an out of doors pond and a securely fenced yard to maintain your turtle in and predators out, you may think about placing it outside for no less than a part of the 12 months.

Enterprising homeowners additionally make roomy habitats for sliders through the use of pre-formed plastic pond liners to make indoor ponds. All turtles stored indoors will want particular lighting.

Mild

Turtles want sufficient UVA and UVB rays. They sometimes get these UV rays from unfiltered daylight or a particular lamp. Aquatic turtles will want these UV lights year-round for about 12 hours per day. Exchange UV gentle bulbs each six months. In case your yellow-bellied slider lives outside, it is not going to want supplemental UV lighting; the solar’s rays shall be enough.

Warmth

As cold-blooded creatures, turtles must self-regulate their physique temperature. To regulate their temperature, turtles search out basking spots to take in the solar’s heat rays. In case you have an indoor tank, you will have to duplicate a sunny basking spot that may attain about 88 levels Fahrenheit. Both a 60-watt or 100-watt basking bulb needs to be enough. As turtles additionally want the UV rays from the solar for correct improvement, you will get a mix mercury vapor bulb, which gives each warmth and UV.

Their water additionally must be at a continuing temperature of 75 to 80 levels Fahrenheit. A water heater shall be required to maintain the water heat. It needs to be maintained day and evening.

Meals and Water

Yellow-bellied sliders are omnivorous creatures. Turtles of all ages ought to get all kinds of each animal and plant-based objects. Juveniles and hatchlings ought to eat twice a day, and their food plan ought to lean in direction of carnivorous. As soon as a turtle reaches maturity (age 2 to five), its food plan ought to include largely greens.

Business turtle pellets are a correct base food plan when supplemented with a wide range of different objects. Supply solely what your turtle can devour in about quarter-hour and take away uneaten meals.

Darkish, leafy greens like romaine, dandelion greens, and contemporary parsley needs to be an everyday a part of your yellow-bellied slider’s food plan. Supply chopped apple items and freeze-dried shrimp sometimes.

Most aquatic turtles eat the occasional insect or fish, however keep away from giving them fatty fish, and by no means give them high-protein meats. An aquatic turtle’s food plan needs to be primarily plant-based.

Feeding your turtle exterior of its residence is a little more work at feeding time, however it can make conserving the tank clear loads simpler in the long term.

Frequent Well being Issues

Sliders ought to be capable to dive into their water. A turtle that’s all the time floating generally is a signal of an issue, reminiscent of pneumonia. Turtles with eyes which might be closed or puffy could point out a respiratory an infection or the same challenge. Wheezing and drooling are also indicators of respiratory illnesses. 

Shells which might be delicate, not easy, or lined in algae might need shell rot, which is a painful situation brought on by fungus.

Metabolic bone illness and vitamin deficiencies are additionally widespread points that have an effect on aquatic turtles in captivity because of inappropriate diets and lighting. Be sure that your UVB and warmth lights are modified repeatedly to assist hold your turtle wholesome. Metabolic bone illness is especially painful for turtles and will be life-threatening if not handled correctly.

In the event you discover any indicators of sickness, seek the advice of with an exotics veterinarian who focuses on reptile care. Most of those circumstances are treatable if caught early.

Selecting Your Yellow-Bellied Slider

Earlier than you carry residence your yellow-bellied slider, there are some things to look out for to make sure it is wholesome. Be sure that the turtle’s eyes should not sealed shut, and so they shouldn’t be puffy or have discharge.

If its shell has any delicate or tough spots, that is one other dangerous signal; it might point out shell rot. Check its responsiveness by ensuring it pulls its head and legs into its shell or tries to swim away while you try to choose it up. Most turtles and tortoises don’t love dealing with; that is regular, anticipated conduct.

Your finest supply for getting a yellow-bellied slider is a good breeder who has documented its well being and historical past. A captive-bred, not wild-caught slider, is the best choice. You may anticipate to pay $10 to $20 for a hatchling. Grownup specimens can value upwards of $60 to $100. These increased costs mirror the quantity of care that has gone into bringing the turtle to maturity.

Totally different Species of Aquatic Turtles

If you’re inquisitive about pet turtles, try:

• Purple-eared slider
• Mud turtle
• Map turtle

In any other case, try different forms of reptiles and amphibians that may be your new pet.