Are red-eared sliders ok to take out of their terrarium? and more turtle questions...?

are red-eared sliders ok to take out of their terrarium? Also is it ok for them to sleep upsideown on their shell? Mine did that last night for about a few seconds then got back up. I also would like to know, if they eat alot? I know im supposed to feed them once a day (younger ones) but do u usually see them eat their pellets? I would also like to know do u have to get them drinking water because my turtle doesnt drink its drinking water and i am afraid something will go wrong. Also for experts how long do you think it will take a re-eared slider to get used too a 14 year old boy and his freshmen yeared brother in the same room? I just got my turtle on Monday (this week) and have many turtle questions if you could leave ur messanger Y! messanger or a AIM so i can talk to you about these turtles if you know of these turtles well, I would really Like some knowledge on them.

Are red-eared sliders ok to take out of their terrarium? and more turtle questions...?
Red eared sliders are water turtles, they like to swim. If at all possible they should have the ability to do so at all times. It is fine to take them out. It is NOt fine to have them be upside down, thier lungs are located on the top inside, so they cannot breathe for long on thier backs. They really like live foods, like goldfish. If you are concerned about them not eating enough, get them what they would eat if they were free. Turtles can carry salmonilla so although it is really OK for your kids to play with them, they should wash their hands and not play with them near their face. It's really only a danger for very young children to play with turtles, so don't panic! They will get used to people depending on the person. If they are quiet and careful, it will come around pretty quick. Also, if you want to know if it is a male or female, check under the shell, if it dents in thats a male. If it's pretty flat it's a female.
Reply:Red-eared sliders are aquatic turtles and like/need to spend their time under the water kind of hooked onto the bottom of a water plant. They can not eat unless they are in water. They are great swimmers and should have enough so that they can swim around in it. Make sure you dechlorinate the water you use for them. Sliders are not real good on dry land and will sometimes end up on their backs and not be able to get back over. A terrarium is not suitable for a Red-earred Slider.


It is also very important for them to have a place they can get out of the water and "bask" in the sunlight, they will sit like that all day as long as the sun is on them. If the don't have a place like this they will get a soft shell and die. If kept inside then you need to have a light that imitates the sun and a landing place for them to sit on.


Depending on the age (size) of the turtle every day to every two or three days feeding is fine. Very small, every day and so on.


There are many good and informative sites available for more information on them and also chat rooms dedicated just to them.
Reply:I have had my turtle for 10 years now and although I'm no expert on them, mine has been doing quite well so I guess I'm doing alright. They will die if left on their backs. Floating pellets are the best kind. You can leave the pellets in the water for an hour or so and then remove any that are not eaten. They will also enjoy eating small fish, lettuce and worms. The need lots of room for swimming and a place to climb out but not rock or brick as this is too hard for their under shell. A floating island is best. You can feed a turtle too much. Mine was being fed too much and she grew quicker than her shell could. As a result, she could not pull inside her shell.


They will drink the water that they swim in.


I often took mine out in the summer and let her wonder around in the grass for a while and to bask in the sun but not for too long at a time or they will dry out. But since she has out grown a 30 gallon tank, she spends her summers outside in a pond that I've built for her and her winters inside in a pool I have made for her in my spare room.


I'm not sure if we are allowed to leave messenger names or such but mine is the same on yahoo message as it is here. You can contact me with any questions you have and I will try to help.
Reply:i had a red-eared slider for many years. everybody's comments are spot on but let me add a little. they will get bored with the same food every day and stop eating. i've actually fed mine crickets and pinkies (1-day-old mice) and he loved them. teenage boys might get a lick out of this...he also once ate a skink lizard that fell into his water and couldn't get out. his tank was the bottom to a large terrarium that had a few lizards in it. he got on well with the water dragon that shared his tank. i used large river rocks to make an island for him to bask on and it seemed ok for him. he never bit me but i think when they open their mouth, that is a warning to back off so your boys should know to put him down and leave him alone.
Reply:Oooh! I had one of those when I was eight! Those are awesome. You can feed him pellets every other day, and live guppies once a week, it's really fun to watch him eat. He should have a tank full of water, about 2/3 full, and a floating island type device to bask on. You CAN take them out of the terrarium but at your own risk; they might attack.


I hope this answers some of your questions.


Also, I'm sure he can tolerate a pair of teenage boys, as mine tolerated an annoying eight year old girl. ;]



mobile